It wasn't all a bed of roses

Dear editor and Mike Bradbury:

The 1950s I remember:

1) Racism and segregation were accepted as traditional.

2) Chauvinism kept women in their place.

3) Hysterical fear of communism inspired an arms race.

4) Tonto was white America's only image of the "Noble Savage."

5) America was suspicious of having a Catholic President and couldn't even imagine having an African-American President.

Americans, all of us, are as red-blooded and as interested in liberty as ever. It's just that you're hearing from more voices now, various voices. They feel as strongly about their America as you do about yours.

It's useful for all of us to keep in mind that the passion we feel for our own freedoms may have to accommodate the passion others have for theirs.

-- Jim Bird