Streisand on AIDS

Bravo, Barbra Streisand! Her remarks in “How Did the Deadly Virus of Hate Weaken America?” (Opinion, Nov. 22) were clear and compelling. They challenge and inspire all of us to do better, to get out and participate and to serve each other. We Americans have a lot at stake and much work to do. Certainly, as President-elect Bill Clinton has said, we don’t have a single American to waste.

It’s time for the hatemongers, the finger-pointers and bigots masquerading as clergy--those who seek to blame liberals, blacks, women, gays and Jews--to go. They must begin some self-examination for a change. Because even as they carry out missions they deem “holy,” they tear us apart and set us against one another.

I hope in the end that AIDS will have “aided” us in creating a fundamental shift in our perceptions, one where we recognize our oneness as Americans and as human beings.

WILLIAM A. RUIZ

Los Angeles