Socialist "Saint" defended. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)

As a relative newcomer to THE NEW AMERICAN, I must share my feelings about articles such as the one on Martin Luther King ("Socialist Saint" by William Norman Grigg) in the February 11th issue. I was appalled to find an article that would so clearly alienate people in this country who would ordinarily be interested in the cause of freedom.

Like most people, Martin Luther King had his flaws. He also had a goal for his people. It would be nice to think that justice was a natural extension of everyday human behavior. The history of the treatment of Blacks, American Indians, and other minorities clearly shows us that justice and freedom must be gained and maintained. Since Mr. King is deceased and unable to defend himself, I find it repugnant that a publication with the statement of purpose "That Freedom Shall Not Perish" would print such an article. Factual or not, it serves no valuable purpose at this time. Mr. King gave something to his people that they needed: leadership, direction, and a sense of pride. For this, every freedom-loving American owes him a debt. As an American, I suffer when my neighbor suffers. I am pleased that my fellow Americans of other skin tones are finding opportunities that enable them to live useful and productive lives--opportunities that once were denied them despite the fact that they were citizens under the protecti on of the Constitution of the United States of America. I marvel at the Christianity of the attitudes of the majority of Black Americans. Despite angry and radical leadership, most blacks have put the past aside and go about their daily lives as ordinary citizens, caring for their families as best they can.

To read an article that was so irrelevant to the important goals facing this country at this time made me wonder at the real purpose of the John Birch Society. Is this organization working to strengthen the social fabric of the United States so that we can fend ...