A Tribune reader asks, ”Where are the voices of condemnation among the black leadership and community?” regarding comments made by Gus Savage in his concession speech (Voice, April 7).
For this reader the answer is remembering. I was a student at Roosevelt University at the same time Gus Savage attended.
I remember watching through the window from the loading docks of a company where I was working to put myself through school and seeing my white accounting classmates practicing their trade, while I did manual labor. On the following day we would be sitting in the same classes. I remember, also, upon graduating, being turned down by every company to which I applied for a job-and actually being told by one that it didn`t hire blacks in its accounting department. I am sure Gus Savage has his own countless remembrances, as do blacks who do not voice condemnation of him.
I also remember Dr. Martin Luther King being castigated in editorials, commentaries and letters to editors (and finally being assassinated) for practices and attitudes for which he is now celebrated as a hero.
Israeli writer Elie Weisel has eloquently pointed out the value of
”remembrance” to a people (valuing it over peace). But those who don`t place a high value on remembrance probably won`t ever understand why there is little critical response to Gus Savage from blacks.
