Record of a Friendship

(Ben Green) #1

giving their side of the matter, and I have got to be careful kst S'hill
goes to hell.
My new book* was almost ready but today I get a letter from the
publishers enclosing one to them from the manager of the printing firm.
He has just read the ms. and refuses to let the book go out unless I cut
out some things I say against religion and sex. My answer is: Go to hell.
I shall not tolerate censorship by any printer. la, lieber [yes, dear] Reich,
life isn't always easy for the pioneer. But I feel in a fighting mood.
I'd like to tell you lots about my personal problems, but I don't like
talking about my own psychology when a censor is to read it. I guess
the censorship won't be necessary for long now.
I wish you would go into the question of fasting I suggested to you. I
feel that the medical complex about "keeping up the patient's strength"
is wrong, for every animal fasts when ill, even if cats and dogs do eat
grass. If your cancer patients have to eliminate cancerous stuff as well
as beef and carrots they don't get a fair chance. I always told you you
neglected the food side too much.
Maybe if I can do it, I'll write an appreciation and criticism of the
journals for publication. Here I give you a few passages from a letter to
me from Herbert Read, director of Kegan Paul's publishing firm, and
famous here as an anarchist writer on art. He says: "Work Democracy
... Here Reich expresses truths that are fundamental to what I call an­
archism which is essentially anti-politics. Not being a scientist I can't
judge the Orgone theory. I shall look forward to Reich's book on Work
Democracy." By the way, he is one who criticises the heavy language of
the journals: "Germano-American jargon."


•••

Forest Hills, New York
October 10, 1944
My dear Neill:
I do not like to intrude upon private affairs of other people,
especially when they are good friends. But I had for some time now the
feeling, aroused by indications in your letters, that there is some trouble
going on or developing at Summerhill School, a trouble of sex-economic

* Hearts Not Heads in the School.
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