July 19, 2001
James Landrith
Letter to Daphne Barbee-Wooten
Member, Hawaii ACLU Board of Directors
Regarding Intolerant Remarks
July 19, 2001
Ms. Daphne Barbee-Wooten
The Law Offices of Andre S. Wooten and Daphne Barbee-Wooten
1188 Bishop ST, STE 1909
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Ms. Barbee-Wooten:
In a recent article in the National Post, writer Mark Steyn (attached) quoted you as saying, "he's married to a white person" while discussing reasons that Clarence Thomas shouldn't have been invited to speak at the Hawaii ACLU's "Davis-Levin First Amendment Conference." I sincerely hope that this isn't the case.
I hope the Hawaii ACLU isn't sending the message that it is somehow wrong for a "black" person to be married to a "white" person. Tell me, Ms. Barbee-Wooten, what is your feeling on "interracial" marriage? Should it be used a tool to punish or denounce "blacks" who disagree with the ACLU on certain issues? Should the "color" of a person's choice of spouse be an issue when discussing their political views? Your comment, "he's married to a white person" seems to indicate that you do.
Maybe you've heard of the 1967 landmark Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia? It was argued, by the way, by Bernard S. Cohen, an ACLU attorney. I've got a feeling that Mr. Cohen would disagree with any ACLU use of "interracial" marriage as a means of excluding someone from a First Amendment conference, but then again he's "a white person."
Relevant Links:
Sincerely,
James A. Landrith, Jr.
Editor & Publisher,
The Multiracial Activist
and The Abolitionist Examiner
https://www.multiracial.com/
cc:
- Charles Michael Byrd, INTERRACIAL VOICE
Kevin Nguyen, American Civil Rights Institute
Yvette Walker Hollis, New People Magazine
Francis Wardle, Center for the Study of Biracial Children
Valerie Wilkins-Godbee, Ameurofian Heritage Foundation
George Winkel
Date: Sat, May 24, 2003 8:43 pm
From: Bernard Glass
Subject: RESPONSE TO A LETTER
Mr. Landrith:
I just finished reading your letter to Daphne Barbee-Wooten, and I do agree that she needs to step into the 21st century. However, your information about the ACLU is wrong.
The ACLU is not a left-wing or right wing organization. Its’ purpose is to defend the first amendment. The lawyers of the ACLU have even defended the KKK at times. I do not know where you got the idea that the ACLU is a left wing organization, but I do know that you did not research your information well.
Now before you think I do not support the multiracial movement think again. I do support it. I also feel that it is time for new leadership.
Bernard Glass
Editor: Mr. Glass:
Please refresh my memory on where I referred to the ACLU as leftwing organization. I know it wasn’t in my letter. Was it on a discussion board somewhere perhaps or in response to another letter or on a specific issue? If you can provide me with a date that would also be helpful.
I’m going to have to assume that you didn’t do all of your homework on me when you assume that I don’t support the ACLU. It’s quite interesting considering how many ACLU led coalitions I’ve lent my name and my publication’s name to over the past three years.
– opposition to national I’d cards
– opposition to military tribunals
– opposition to suspension of attorney-client privilege by DoJ
– an ACLU/CNSS lawsuit on post September 11 detentions and others.
I will continue to work with the national ACLU, CNSS and other civil liberties organizations on issues of great importance to our liberties, regardless of who feels that the multiracial movement needs new leadership.