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As a woman, I can't help finding the photos of the cadets celebrating Faulkner's departure chilling. These aren't men; they are seven-year-old boys locking the little neighborhood girl out of the clubhouse. I can understand (indeed, I share) their contempt for Faulkner, but I hope it doesn't extend to the gender as a whole. However, I fear it may. Grow up, guys. Women are people too. ADELE S. HODLIN Northville, New York
The events described in the report on Faulkner bring back dark images from 30 years ago: federal marshals having to escort a student onto a Southern campus; messages of hate, this time in the form of misogynistic T shirts and graffiti; and the whoops and infantile revelry of the skinheads at this bastion of the Old Confederacy. Is it any wonder that the chart you published in the same issue [CHRONICLES, Aug. 28] shows that of the 11 states that made up the Old Confederacy, 10 are ranked "below average" or "low" in percentage of women legislators, and that South Carolina ranks 43rd in that category? TERRENCE M. WALTERS Rochester, Minnesota
Everyone knows that the military puts enormous emphasis on physical activity during training. One would have expected Faulkner to have got herself into shape (both mentally and physically) before she showed up. As for the emotional stress, unless there was some gross abuse that has not yet come to light, her giving up right away was a sign of unforgivable weakness. Women have every right to be in the military, but to have us represented by someone like Faulkner can only set us back 100 years. CATHERINE CHARTIER West Chester, Ohio Via E-mail
The Citadel: All male, no men! JOHN KELLY Garden City, New York
BLACKS WANT TO ADOPT
I was quoted in your report "Adoption in Black and White" [SOCIETY, Aug. 14], but my full remarks did not appear. I feel your story presented a one-sided, microscopic view of a macrosystemic problem. No pointed questions were raised about the failure of the child-welfare system to work in partnership with the black community. Willing, capable blacks actively seek to foster-parent and adopt black children under the aegis of the Black Community Crusade for Children, coordinated by the Children's Defense Fund. The exceedingly small percentage of blacks who are ever deemed qualified to adopt raises the ugly specter of gross discrimination. A community denied the opportunity to rear and care for its children is indeed a community under assault. RUTH-ARLENE W. HOWE Associate Professor Boston College Law School Newton Centre, Massachusetts Via E-mail
JAPAN SAYS IT'S SORRY
Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's apology for the mistakes, aggression and colonization policies of his country during World War II has infinite value [JAPAN, Aug. 28]. It essentially admits that a massive moral debt is owed to countless victims who were physically, emotionally and spiritually ruined by Japanese militarists. It is said that sincere repentance will eradicate the unfortunate fate of an individual, a family or a nation. Murayama's honest confession and apology far surpass the efforts of those few obstinate conservatives who refuse to repent. His apology is helping others change their destiny. MAURICE DANIEL Havelock, North Carolina