Safety Valve

to the Editor and to University Women:
Several years ago a frightened young mother rushed into a doctor’s office with her baby son. The baby had bitten a Christmas tree ornament. As the doctor examined the baby’s mouth, he asked the mother why she had not brought the baby in for the regular check-up after she had left the hospital. Most confidently she answered that her baby was perfectly healthy, “hardly ever cried” and she felt it wasn’t necessary. What followed was not to be soon forgotten by the mother or me. As he carefully examined the baby’s cut mouth, the doctor calmly said, “Mrs. Smith your baby is tongue-tied.” In that moment that woman’s attitude changed from flouting self-confidence to pitiful horror and humility.
No matter in what respect, is it not a good loving mother who recognizes the weakness of her child and attempts to correct it? Is it not a selfish weak mother who refuses to admit that her child is not perfect? Similarly, it is a good devoted citizen who recognizes the weakness of his fellow citizens, and most important attempts to correct them. I did not say “the weakness of his country” because a country is only as good as its people.
Is it far removed to suggest that perhaps only the pitiful horror which brought wisdom in the mother will bring to many of us the realization that we have not proven ourselves worth of the name “American.” Many of us are betraying our fellow Americans. In our midst not only men and boys, but mothers and children are being treated as outcasts.
Many sons are dying today, many died yesterday and more shall die tomorrow for a principle–the right to happiness. Hearts were made bitter when tales of the persecution of the Jews were told. The connotations of the word “Nazi” became hateful for the represented injustice, cruelty and insanity.
Here in Seattle we have demonstrations which are sadly like those cruelties inflicted upon the Jewish German citizens by their fellow citizens–the Nazis. Yes, here in our own city we have American Nazis who willfully are unjust, and inhumane to their fellow Americans. Yes, these American Nazis are even mothers and they are the breeders of hate in small children, and from these, monsters like Hitler shall be born.
To those who are being discriminated against–perhaps it is well to say on Man who exemplified the true American way said of His persecutors, “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.” Could we but be of His greatness and forgive them; we can but pity them.
Sincerely,
Olive Moe. Sr. Pre-Med

To the Editor:
Thursday’s editorial spoke for many of us who believe that tolerance does not mean weakness and that hysterical hatred does not mean strength or patriotism. I suppose it’s futile to point out to these “patriotic” mothers that by their vicious attack on citizens they are creating that division and disunity which everyone condemns in time of war. In fact, I expect any day now to see some pictures in which the same “patriots” are carrying placards for “National Unity.”
Sincerely,
Paul Moritz

To the Editor:
Your editorial “To the Mothers” is so expressive of your callow understanding and grasp of the present grim situation of Americans today. If you fully understood you would be somewhere in uniform instead of pushing an idle pen. This is not meant as a reflection of our patriotism or your Americanism, but to suggest you devote more time to study world conditions and what led up to the present conflict.
If you had read James R. Young’s “Behind the Rising Sun” to acquaint yourself with the treatment of foreigners in Japan the past 13 years, you would be less apt to criticize the intelligent act of these mothers whose concern for the safety of their children, in event of an air raid, was perfectly normal. Do not confuse sensible precautionary defense with intolerance.
How dare you compare American treatment of our Japanese citizens and aliens with conditions in Nazi Germany or militaristic-controlled Japan! Do you mean to convey the impression that Americans are unjust to our Japanese or anyone else fortunate enough to be living in the United States?
Most respectfully,
Mrs. Arthur E. Bangs.