Replying to Feiffer

Cartoonist Jules Feiffer’s May 14 degradation of African-Americans was a misuse of his access to media, and it emphasized media’s power to propagandize.

First, African-Americans have little media ownership. Second, the community ills portrayed in the media are created and controlled by people outside the community. And, third, the “genocide against African-Americans” that Feiffer refers to is real.

The problems described in the cartoon are created by white Americans. For example, “children in front of crack houses”: Only white Americans at the top have the power and money to bring cocaine into this country. And where else are the children to play?

Teen-age pregnancy: White girls have more pregnancies than other races. Also, more of them are on welfare than all other groups.

The crimes of young white males are not highlighted in the media to the same extent as those of others. Surely no one thinks that many members of the virtually media-proof and justice-proof white race are not sadistic and criminal. Ever hear of Satanism? Manson? Hangings?

The fear in “liberal white friends” (to quote Feiffer) is because they know that downtrodden and maligned people will not forever stay underfoot.

The power of media is such that it could stop racism in one week if it wanted to, or, as typified by Feiffer, propel it to new heights.

BERLETER HALL

Los Angeles