Page 3
Wednesday, May 24. 1961 University Daily Kansan
(Continued from page 2)
around looking for Shaws to invite, can often be excused for their behavior. Most of them, but not all, are quite young and inexperienced and have a lot to learn. All the suffering elders can hope is that perhaps through such experiences the innocents among the indelible radicals will learn enough to have sounder judgment on future occasions."
This is interesting, for I found that, though not thoroughly convincing in his presentation, Mr. Shaw did seem to speak sincerely, rationally, personally and at least somewhat intelligently regarding the various ramifications of the Cuban revolution. I, who am admittedly "young and inexperienced" did not find Mr. Shaw as "bad" and as threatening as the LDJW made him out to be. But then, I have nothing to hide, and I don't have public opinion forming my values. It seems to me that he stood his ground rather well and rather openly (he was even kind enough to give us his salary), and I believe that he offered some new and important considerations that we of quite grasped yet in our superior, all-knowing attitude. Perhaps he distorted the truth; but apparently the U.S. press is also doing its part in distortion. (This is not too difficult for a naive mind to see.) We all have our own "investments," don't we? If we have the right to color, distort and permeate the actuality of things with half-truths, why will we not allow others to present their evidence that it may be weighed? What if there is a glimpse of truth in what Mr. Shaw has to say? Shall we close ourselves to everything but the "official bias" and destroy ourselves in our cocksure ignorance?
And then we who have open enough minds to be able to listen to more than the "official" side of an issue are termed "quite young and inexperienced." This seems to
... Letters ...
imply that our "suffering elders," especially the U.S. press, have all of the answers that we need to know. But there is such a thing as corruption, and the "spotless record" of our virtuous society is beginning to show some blemishes of rather large consequence. To get too far carried away with our "rightness" and everyone else's "wrongness" is not very wise.
More could be said about the editorial, its rather transparent, emotionally toned atmosphere, its raving about "much-abused academic freedom," and particularly
its unnecessary and derogatory insinuations concerning Mr. Shaw and his visit. I don't know if Mr. Shaw was truthful; I don't know if the U.S. press is truthful, either. All I can say is that at least Mr. Shaw apparently had some experience and "facts" to back up his position; I found this strangely lacking in the LDJW editorial. With a clean conscience and the possession of truth, slander is not necessary. Could it be that we are trying to hide something?
F. Roberts Searcy Shreveport, La., senior
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