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Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
| Article
# : |
10573 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
Date : |
2 / 1986 |
5,430 Words |
| Author
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Allan C. Brownfeld
Allan C. Brownfeld is a Washington-based journalist and the
author of five books, the latest of which is The Revolution
Lobby (with J. Michael Waller). He is also associate editor
of The Lincoln Review. |
Beginning in November 1984, a carefully orchestrated campaign against South Africa was launched by TransAfrica, the militant black lobbying group based in Washington, D.C.
The so-called "Free South Africa Movement" enlisted the participation of many members of Congress, including Representatives Ron Dellums (D-California), Gus Savage (D-Illinois), John Conyers (D-Michigan) and George Crockett (D-Michigan). These activists and a variety of well known public figures ranging from Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) to Amy Carter to Lane Kirkland of the AFL-CIO have demonstrated in front of the South African Embassy, often breaking the law in order to be arrested.
It is ironic to recall that when South Africa was committed to maintaining apartheid, there were no protests on the streets of American cities. Now, when the South African government has embarked upon a course of change and reform, such protests have been launched. In an editorial, the Johannesburg Sunday times (July 14, 1985) asks "How has it happened that, at a time when serious reform is finally being introduced in South Africa, the country is facing a rising crescendo of overseas critics, and economic sanctions have been introduced by America? … Perhaps it is because reform is seen by the well-organized anti-apartheid lobby around the world as a threat to its existence? Perhaps the whole campaign has more to do with America's internal political maneuvering and South Africa is a convenient stick for liberals and Democrats to beat the Reagan administration?"
The Star, which has traditionally opposed the South African government from a liberal point of view, declared:
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