"Racism," a Broad Umbrella

     A basic WAIS principle is freedom to discuss controversial issues without being charged with racism, anti-Semitism, or whatever. This is one reason to be leery, or leary, about the United Nations, where underdeveloped countries are by far the most numerous. They are the first to raise these anti- cries, and they hold expensive conferences which provide friendly captive audiences.
     The U.N. is preparing the grand finale of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1994-2003), following the first decade (1973-1982) and the second (1983-1992). A world conference will be held in South Africa in 2001, preceded by two preparatory meetings in Geneva in 2000 and 2001. All kinds of Third World people will turn up to voice their shrill denunciations. They show up at such meetings regularly. Why pays their way ?
     It is this kind of activity which the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee denounced at its New York meeting. The literature announcing the meetings speaks in so broad terms that "racism" covers almost anything. The subjects involved are extremely complex. To discuss them in these global town meetings is inappropriate and dangerous to serious research and thought.
     Senator Jesse Helms and Co. had a point. Let us hope this is the last Decade.

Ronald Hilton - 1/25/00