Family Advocacy

To the Editor: My Webster's dictionary defines "ideologist" as "an advocate or adherent of a particular system or doctrine of ideology." It defines "hegemony" as "preponderant influence or authority." In your June issue, William Emmet voices the vision of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) that consumers and families become a united voice for ending discrimination. I submit that progress toward that laudable goal will be impeded if NAMI insists that its ideology have hegemony.

Mr. Joondeph is executive director of the Oregon Advocacy Center in Portland.