Letters to the Editor: Human Detente Letters to the Editor: Human Detente
Dear Sirs: I want to bring to your attention an urgent appeal on behalf of Soviet dissidents from Dr. Andrei Sakharov. The appeal was sent on February 1 to the Social Democrats, U.S.A. on the occasion of its presentation to this great Soviet dissenter the Norman Thomas Freedom Award, in memory of the great American dissenter. In his eloquent plea for peace and human rights for all people, Dr. Sakharov said: We are all welcome the negotiations that are now being held aimed at preventing a thermonuclear war, as well as the armaments race, and to promote negotiations directed to increased trade relations -- in short, all that is denoted by the word "detente." But at the same time ... the external detente is tragically not accompanied by an internal and human detente." To achieve a human detente, Dr. Sakharov urges us to support a program of what he calls "social campaigns" on behalf of Soviet dissidents which include: A campaign for free access by the representatives of the International Red Cross and World Health Organization to inspect the Soviet places of incarcerations and mental hospitals; a campaign for freedom of emigration; a campaign to defend all the honest writers who have been harassed. If there is to be peace in the world, then those in the East and West, like academician Sakharov, who oppose military solutions to political problems and insist on human rights for all, must be free to speak out. He needs the support of those with diverse views who believe in the principles of civil rights. The plight of Dr. Sakharov and other Soviet dissidents is extremely grave. Those who want to help can volunteer their participation, or offer financial contributions to the Andrei Sakharov Campaign; Bayard Rustin, chairman; 1182 Broadway, Suite 802; New York, N.Y. 10001. Bayard Rustin
Apr 20, 1974 / Bayard Rustin
Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade
The Supreme Court gives women the right to choose while also rendering an important lesson on the practical workings of democracy.
Feb 5, 1973 / The Editors
The Myth That Was Real The Myth That Was Real
Reports on several issues which were considered by President Richard Nixon as part of his presidential election strategy. Misconception related to the solution of problems faced by...
Nov 27, 1972 / Michael Harrington
The Sports Rebellion The Sports Rebellion
Jack Scott would seem to be right when he says that something will happen at Munich.
Feb 7, 1972 / Steve Murdock
Slaughter at Attica Slaughter at Attica
New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller turns a prison-wide protest into a wholesale slaughter.
Sep 27, 1971 / The Editors
Death of a Legendary Hero Death of a Legendary Hero
The riots of 1968 are bound to change the way that history views the political career of Charles de Gaulle.
Nov 30, 1970 / Feature / Daniel Singer
Teach-in On The Environment Teach-in On The Environment
Ecology has become a very important issue on campuses this season, and this teach-in was the forerunner--a kind of model--for thousands of college and high school colloquia t...
Apr 6, 1970 / Raymond R. Coffey
John L: Something of a Man John L: Something of a Man
On the life, death and legacy of labor union leader John L. Lewis
Jun 30, 1969 / Saul D. Alinsky
Space Is Not Black Space Is Not Black
Days before the Apollo 11 launch in 1969, The Nation lamented a government that spent freely on white astronauts, engineers, and contractors, but could not find jobs at home for it...
Jun 30, 1969 / Jack Robertson
The Moon Will Wait The Moon Will Wait
In early 1969, Nation editors were skeptical about the space race, and NASA’s “juvenile, brutal approach” in rushing to get a man on the moon.
Jan 13, 1969 / The Nation