In Response to: Academic Anxiety

I have already expressed sympathy for Chinese scholars caught in a web of suspicion. But let me also take the other side. China has more than any other nation been found wanting in common decency: They send our children dangerous and even lethal toys; they send us drugs which will kill before they might heal; they exhibit concern with propriety, honesty, integrity, and common humanity less than any other nation I know of in pursuit of financial gain and political hegemony. Perhaps Chinese-born scholars should stop blaming us and start blaming those of their own ethnicity who show no obvious deference to Confucian ideals and values. Suspicion of the Chinese may have started with bigotry, but it may end with justification galore.

Norman Ravitch *62
Savannah, Ga.