This letter was written June 22, 1989 in response to an article called “The Lesson of Kilimanjaro” (and the graphics reproduced on this page) that originally appeared in the Focus on the Family magazine. It is reproduced here for archival purposes and was not published by Dr. James Dobson's organization.

June 22, 1989

Focus on the Family
Pomona, Ca 91799

Dear Editor,

In Dan Brewster’s article called “The Lesson of Kilimanjaro” he tells quite a story about climbing the 20,000 foot peak in rain and mud with his son. He told how they sought relief from exhaustion by discussing hikers in Tibet and Napal who were exposed to the elements for weeks at a time and about the “starving Africans who lived close to [them] and had to endure the agony of walking for weeks in searing sun as they sought refugee camps for food and shelter.” He writes, “Our reflection on the far more serious struggles of others taught us about compassion and endurance in ways that we have not forgotten to this day.”

As director for a Christian development agency called “Compassion International” in various parts of Africa he works with the poor and impoverished. What I want to know is, if he has worked so closely with these folks then why does he treats his “porter” like a non-entity except to acknowledge the hike was not so rough as it could have been since the porter carried all their supplies?

We do see this proud-looking black man in the background of all the photos, even symbolically, it might seem, obscured by haze in one. But, you can always see him — well out of the way — well-trained by the white men that came before, he carries all the food and belongings in a heavy burlap bag stuffed to the perhaps fifteen times the size of the day packs the father and son carry.

So this is how you white boys learn endurance, eh? And I’d say you both have some lessons to learn about racism too. Maybe the next trip Dan and Son might carry their share of the load and the “porter,” a man whose face shines with experience and character, could be treated like a friend, instead of a pack horse/slave — cheap at twice the price. They could, for instance, refer to this “porter” as a “guide,” for that is what he surely is if he leads them to the top of Kili.

For it is these lessons about racial equality that are most direly needed by white children growing up in Africa and until that time, Dan only fantasizes that he teaches his son about compassion and the “serious struggles of others.”

Sincerely,
Nikki Craft

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