U.S. Support for S. Africa

Imagine the United Farm Workers Union without Cesar Chavez. Imagine the Republican Party without the likes of Howard Baker, Sen. Tower, or other great leaders. How can we expect there to be organization and stability among South African workers, political organizations and lay people when their great leaders are apprehended by a ruling party in power? Without leadership there is bound to be confusion and instability, and thus the current entropy in South Africa among the black townships.

Since the state of emergency went into effect in South Africa, we have received limited and biased news reports. But as time passes, we will begin to receive more accurate and tangible reports as to what has been occurring. Already we have head of “wildcat strikes” by union workers whose union leaders have been arrested by the government. In addition, clergy and political leaders have reportedly been arrested by the government as well.

Why does our government lend support to a government that has placed a cloak over the goings-on in its “free society” in the name of “national security.” It is time our government took a stand on human rights issues, and severing ties with South Africa is the statement our government could be making. We so often allow economic and/or political issues to overshadow moral issues and honest international relations. I believe that the best business is honest business, and until the South African government begins to deal honestly with its people and the world, I do not believe that they deserve U.S. economic support.

I hope that you will support U.S. divestitures in South Africa.

BRADLEY ZEBRACK

Northridge