izens. Sickle-cell anemia is the target of a major federal program,

as it should be. Cancer, a major killer, is the subject of an unparal-

leled national health effort with a specially created agency dis-

pensing huge amounts of funds. But lead-based paint poisoning,

a major health hazard in the ghetto, is totally neglected by both

the administration and the Congress, although a mere  mil-

lion can eradicate a menace that affects , children, perma-

nently damages ,–,, and kills  annually. The

government currently spends as much to deal with this dread

killer as it does to combat gypsy moths and fire ants!

The record of ambiguity extends to the operating arms of the

government, as well. Some cabinet departments have clearly

demonstrated concern for black and poor citizens, while others

have failed to respond to black demands for justice and have not

fulfilled their legal obligations to take strong and affirmative ac-

tion to enforce civil rights laws. It was not the intent of these laws

to languish in dusty books, and it is not the intent of black people

to allow their hard-won rights to be ignored.

But also, black people are concerned, too, at the way in which

minor figures in Washington, endowed with only symbolic pow-

ers, have gratuitously insulted their leadership and, by implica-

tion, all black people. To mistake the legitimate and just demands

of an oppressed people as “complaining and carping” is to betray

an insensitivity and callousness unworthy of high office.

Must we, at this late date and after so many years of hardship

and sufferings, have to remind the administration and the Con-

gress of those wise words of Frederick Douglass, who said:

Urban League Beginnings

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