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Such Short Memories
Sir: Once again the world has failed. More genocide has been committed. Only this time it wasn't in the death camps of Hitler, it was in Biafra [Jan. 26]. Again we have forgotten everything, our morals, promises and the holocaust. I wonder how many more millions must perish unnecessarily because of our fallibility. It seems we have short memories.
MATTHEW PAUL SOLOW Great Neck, N.Y.
Sir: I worked in Eastern Nigeria and Biafra for nine years, and I was struck by your quote from a diplomat in Lagos: "An Ibo would be out of his mind to show up in Hausa towns like Kano, Kaduna or Sokoto. They don't want him there." In this statement the real reason for the secession in 1967 is touched: the fact that the Easterners were not wanted and not safe in their own country.
If Nigeria wants unity, for which she claims to have fought this war, she must make every one of her citizens, including the former Easterners, welcome in the whole of the country. If the quotation is a true description of the situation in January 1970, the Nigerian tragedy has not yet finished.
K. REIJNIERSE Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
Leonard & the Panthers
Sir: That such a respected person as Leonard Bernstein would donate to the Black Panthers [Jan. 26] is unbelievable. He and other such people should be ashamed to give money to a group that is intent on destroying our Government. I don't believe the Black Panthers' civil liberties were violated. Since they are against our President and everything he stands for, why should they be protected by our Constitution?
DEBORAH NOLIN Old Lyme, Conn.
Sir: These people listened to an appeal from one who openly admits to furthering their demise, and then they turned around and gave him money with which to carry on. TIME should start a "Ridiculous Remark of the Year" file with Mr. Bernstein's quote: "I believe in this country, and I would fight if the Panthers tried to destroy it." I think he ought to take the batons out of his ears and listen carefully to the tune.
J. C. SAVAN Atlanta
Sir: If Mr. Bernstein and his cronies are sincere in their quixotic defense of civil liberties, I suggest they research the Panthers' credo and re-evaluate their inane justifications. The translation of "civil" liberties by the Black Panthers comes out "kill the pigs"—pure and simple.
ROY LEE WARD Imperial Beach, Calif.
Sir: Are Leonard Bernstein et al. going to deduct their contributions to Panther 21 on their tax returns? If so, that means all of us taxpayers are supporting "a new myth that Black Panther is beautiful." Just think what $3,000 would mean to a struggling Negro college student.
JEANNETTE K. KAUFMAN Redondo Beach, Calif.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall