August 30, 1979

Balkanization Of America

A series of recent events emphasizes a disturbing political trend -- "Balkanization" of America.

The tendency of ethnic groups to set themselves apart as entities independent of the nation has been emphasized by four developments seemingly unrelated.

Bringing this matter into focus was a move by U.S. black leaders to establish a "black foreign policy," starting with support of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

To this end a delegation headed by Joseph Lowery, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conferences met with the PLO's Zehdi Terzi.  A similar meeting with Terzi -- in violation off official U.S. policy - was the downfall of UN Ambassador Andrew Young.

Lowery urged more U.S. contacts with the terrorist organization.  He said his group approved "the human rights of all Palestinians, including the right of self-determination in regard to their own homeland."

The meeting infuriated American and Israeli Jews and most likely split a long-time cooperative relationship with blacks.  A coalition of 11 American Jewish groups declared, "We cannot work with those who resort to half-truths, lies and bigotry in any guise or from any source."

While Young was telling UN delegates that U.S. policy toward the PLO was "ridiculous" -- as was the policy of many toward Israel -- the Israeli were engaged in a seven-day bombardment of Lebanon.

Several border villages that harbored PLO terrorists were systematically shelled into oblivion.  A large, but yet unknowns number of Lebanese and PLO refugees were killed and wounded.

Such "defensive retaliation" has been tacitly supported by American Jews who also funnel millions of dollars annually into the Israeli economy.

Over the years American Jews have been successful in pressuring U.S. foreign policy into a pro-Israel stance.  American arms and aid have enabled Israel to withstand violent Arab opposition.

The bombing murder of Lord Mountbatten and his grandson by Irish Republican Army extremists reminds us once again that a large source of funds for the continuing campaign of terror in Northern Ireland is Irish-American Catholics.

This is a situation little noted by the American press because of the sensitive, religious overtones.  Yet it is a fact that emotional identity with the land of their ancestors has led many Americans to finance a rebellion toward which official U.S. policy is neutrality.

Americans of Irish descent, particularly in New England, produce a lot of votes.  They have elected a president, established an ethnic holiday and placed politicians in high places out of all proportion to their number.

A decade of killing in Northern Ireland lies heavily on the shoulders of an American ethnic group that quietly, but deliberately, flaunts the policy of its home nation.

It is significant that a break-through in negotiations with Mexico for purchase of its newly discovered oil came when the United States agreed to special considerations for Mexicans living illegally in this country.

Thus we accept a domestic policy dictated by a foreign government.

Hispanic-Americans -- of Mexican, South American and

Puerto Rican descent -- have established still another strong racial enclave in the United States.  Their sympathies often lie more directly with their land of origin than with the country that now shelters them.

Puerto Rican nationalists shot up the U.S. Senate shortly after World War II and tried to assassinate President Harry Truman.  A so-called U.S. "colonial" policy toward the territory is regularly charged in the UN.

Mexican "wet backs" stream into this country is such numbers that they now constitute potent voting blocs in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.  It is likely that Mexican-Americans will become the majority in California within a generation.

So important politically have the special interests of Hispanics become that schools with large Spanish-speaking enrollments now teach in that language.  The courts have ruled that ballots in predominantly Hispanic precincts must be printed in Spanish.

In each of the foregoing instances, minority Americans have jumped out of the melting pot to gain special favors and to influence events elsewhere around the world.

The "silent majority" frequently has been pushed aside by the "vocal minority."

Much mischief already has been done by divided allegiance.  If carried much farther, the schism could precipitate hardship and danger for America.

Nigeria, our second largest supplier of oil, may be tempted to follow a "black policy" it prefers than a U.S. policy it is unable to shape.

Israel may bolt the "even-handed" Mideast peace policy of America if assured of Jewish support.

Ireland and Mexico may follow arrogant policies toward over-all U.S. interest if their expatriates here follow old ways.

Collapse of the Habsburg Empire and the onset of World War I were triggered by fragmentation of the Balkan area into tiny countries -- ethnically pure but too weak to prosper or resist invasion.

In the ends the melting-pot concept will save the U.S. from a similar fate.

But only if we keep the pot intact.

Author: Lindsey Williams