A LACK OF COURAGE

Rochelle Riley hit the nail on the head in her Sept. 5 column. Using
the Arab-Israeli conflict was a coward's way out. The United States
should be leading, showing and teaching tolerance, as well as joining
many others at the conference to discuss these issues. If we don't get
to the table, we can't join in the discussion.

The United States has a history of racial practices rooted in slavery
and does not want to face up to its sordid past. The United States
also doesn't want to face up to its current racial practices --
systemic racism rooted in economics, incarceration and drug
enforcement policies.

Our leaders need courage to face the past, to face the present, and to
make needed changes to ensure a better future for all Americans. Our
current leaders are sorely lacking this quality.

Debra S. Wright,
Ann Arbor