Such attacks are not a new phenomenon. They have characterized our entire history of work in the United States. What is disturbing is the fact that these attacks often times use slanderous negative stereotypes designed to demonize and delegitimize. The result of all of this has been that our efforts to politically advance have, at times, been made more difficult. We have had to grow in organizational and political sophistication, while at the same time, defending ourselves against attacks on our very legitimacy.
Historical examples abound.
As a result of these attacks, we were excluded from a number of political coalitions. Organizations that worked with the PHRC were threatened and universities and media outlets that invited me to speak were harassed. The goals of these tactics were quite simple to delegitimize us, to demonize us and to isolate us. After receiving many threats on my life, in 1980, the Washington office of the PHRC was firebombed. The slanderous, rhetorical attacks and the threats continued.