Has America forgotten its vow?
published: Monday | March 8, 2004
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I PERSONALLY am most distressed at the attitude the United States has taken about the Haitians fleeing their country. Has America forgotten its vow to help the downtrodden etc., or is it that the downtrodden must have a different colour to those of the majority of the Haitians that are fleeing. Do you think America would send back forcibly Cubans running from Cuba? The answer is a resounding no.
What has happened to the African Americans have they too lost their sense of being their brother's keeper. I know that times have changed in America and the African American is no longer a threat to the government - they now have the Hispanics and the Asians, but please African Americans ask yourself what would Martin Luther King say about this heartless treatment of the Haitians. African Ameri-cans do remember Cassius Clay's response to being sent to Vietnam. He defied his government and paid the price and this is the price that human beings must pay for wanting justice for all mankind.
All human beings whatever colour or creed should stand up for justice and insist that their various governments take in genuine Haitian refugees. This is what the Sermon on the Mount says take care of your brother. There are so many hot spots in our world today, Iraq, Iran, North Korea and now a hot spot in our region. These problems will only end if justice is given to all.
