Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 8 June 1996 — Page 7

The Muncie Times, June 6, 1996, Page 7

TO BE EQUAL

South Africa’s dream of racial democracy unfolds

Hugh e. Price “South Africa’s appointment with destine is on track,” Nelson Mandela proclaimed, several months before May 10, 1994, the date when he was inaugurated as the first black president of that oncebeleaguered country. And now, 2 years later, South Africais onasure and steady course the democracy so many of its black citizens thought was merely an illusion. The election that projected Mandela into the presidency was considered a phenomenon because just 8 years earlier, the nation was in near-chaos, and on the brink of

civil war. The elections — the first in which all voting-age South Africans— were eligible to vote, were the first stages of the transfer of power from the white minority (5 million) to the black majority (28.3 million). The current government of national unity, which provides all major patties a voice, will give way to unrestricted majority mle in 1999. This was not just another electioa For American’s especially African Americans, the success of South Africa’s transition to

democracy is a matter of deep concern There are parallels between the racial problems that existed in South Africa with those that exist in

the United States.

Living in the most pluralistic country in the world, African Americans have a vested interest in South Africa’s achieving social justice and equality across racial lines. Our experience tells us that it takes more than changing laws and securing voting rights to eliminate

racial injustice.

We celebrate the successful transformation that South Africa has made over the last 6 years, and much of that change can be traced to the extraordinary stature of Mandela. Although he was imprisoned for 27 years by the apartheid government, until his release in 1990, Mandela has remained free of bitterness. He has guided his administration on the concept of reconciliatioa As vice president of the Rockerfeller Foundation, I visited South Africa and several other African countries with several

philanthropists in 1990. I was in Cape Town the very day that President F. W. deKlerk declared the end of apartheid and the release of Mandela from prison. I participated in the exhilarating demonstrations that joyous day. I had seen apartheid up close. It proved even more sinister and despicaNe that I had imagined from afar. The country maintained an illusion of marginal inclusiveness by showing blacks on billboards and in television commercials and news

programs.

I was appalled at the squalid conditions in the urban townships and squatter camps. Half of all blacks live in cities and, by century’s end, the ration will rise to 80 percent The country was breeding an urban underclass at an alarming rate, must the same as is happening here, in the United States. South Africa faces problems of urbanization, unemployment, crime and environmental erosion as grave as any country on the continent The gap between black and white living

conditions is growing. Throughout his election campaign, Mandela avoided the temptation to make unrealistic premises of what democracy would bring. He has called for patience in building a stronger economy and in empowering and uplifting the black majority, those who suffered most under apartheid, and whose poverty links them with the rest of the

continent

South Africa has seen the worst of times. It has emerged from a tragic past to become a model of compromise and creative leadership. These are reasons to hope that it will meet these new challenges of growth and development I hope to return there very soon and see South Africa become the nation that’s truly of, by and for its people, and to bear witness as the African dream, the universal human dream, unfolds. IH II! M

Vasilis Makris, M.D., P.C. Diseases and Surgery of the Eye 288-1935 3300 W. Purdue Avenue

I heard that there is a glaucoma laser treatment which sometimes can be used instead of eye drops. I have been on eye drops for a few years now, and I would be interested in knowing more about the laser.

Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a safe and effective alternative to drops used for glaucoma, and that has been substantiated by a new study published —1| by the National Eye Institute. The long-term results of the glaucoma laser trial study indicate that after 7 years follow up, the ALT was at least as effective as medication as a first line of therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma. Other issues which enter into the treatment, such as cost, convenience, quality of life, and expectations of the patient, should be used in making treatment decisions. In short, the ALT treated eyes required less medication for good control of pressure and tended to hold on to their visual function a little bit better. Careful discussion with your surgeon is important in deciding which treatment is right for you. 288-1935 • 3300 W. Purdue Avenue

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