Hook’s Medal

Ernest B. Furgurson (Editorial Pages, April 16) notes that Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Sidney Hook’s views on affirmative action are consonant with those of President Reagan and many of his appointees. In all fairness to both Reagan and Hook, however, Furgurson might also have observed that Reagan’s and Hook’s anti-quota attitudes mirror those of the vast majority of Americans, according to public opinion surveys made during the past 15 years.

More important, however, Furgurson should have pointed out that Hook’s public, articulated opposition to race and sex quotas was not always appreciated by powerful and influential people--quite the contrary.

During the 1970s, there were few intellectuals who dared to speak critically of affirmative action in public. Those who did, such as Sidney Hook, were not infrequently branded as “racists,” a loathsome and deadly label, much-feared in academic and intellectual life. This climate of intellectual repression was fostered by major academic, intellectual and policy-making centers--including, by the way, the “old” Civil Rights Commission, which was just as political then (if not more so) as now.

Therefore, it seems ironically proper that Furgurson should connect Hook’s views on affirmative action with his Medal of Freedom. The slings and arrows Hook has taken for his stands against affirmative action quotas--especially when arguing such views were professionally dangerous--is conduct well worthy of a presidential medal.

FREDERICK R. LYNCH

Claremont