Dear Editor:
As an avid reader of the magazine, I read the article in the
October 29, 1998 issue — titled, “The Tuskegee Experiment’s Long
Shadow” — and find that I am also a victim of the conspiracy theories
concerning African Americans: I had heard the rumor about the fifth
digit in a person’s social security number indicating whether you are
African American or not and I sort of believed it.
Well I have now been overwhelmed with another “rumor.” I have been
told by a group of well-educated acquaintances that the eligibility for
African Americans to vote is up for reconsideration. I was told that it
was urgent that African Americans vote in this election because
Congress, in the next session, will decide if African Americans should
retain their right to vote in United States. Is there is any truth to
this rumor.
Again, the magazine is a great resource tool. Please keep up the good work.
Yolanda Simmons
Council on Racial & Ethnic Justice
