Non-Radical Approach

I am writing in response to the article by Allan Parachini entitled “An Unreconstructed ‘60s Radical Still Takes His Case to the Streets” (July 27). I found the comments by (LAPD) Cmdr. William Booth both disturbing and infuriating. Booth stated that Michael Zinzun, a ballot-qualified candidate for the 55th District Assembly seat, is not worth five minutes of Chief Gates’ time.

The other disturbing issue raised by this piece was the use of media buzzwords like “lone radical” and “preached a gospel of revolution and violence,” which make Zinzun out to be some kind of isolated provocateur, rather than who he is--a black leader with a long and proud history as a champion against police abuse and for community control. The article covers over the fact that he is a progressive leader with a social vision that includes jobs instead of jails, a decent educational system and an affirmative action plan to end racism. This is a social vision shared by millions of people, but Parachini’s story takes this living, breathing history-in-the-making and distorts it with inflammatory buzzwords.

Zinzun is not a “lone radical crying in the woods.” Across the country thousands of such “radicals” are organizing against such right-wing attacks as the Gramm-Rudman Bill, the Supreme Court decision on sodomy, the proposed jail site in East Los Angeles, aid to the contras and the Lancer project. We are doing it by building organizations that are part of an independent political movement and by creating new independent alliances between blacks, Latinos, Asians, women, lesbians, gay men and poor and working people.

MARIA ELIZABETH MUNOZ

Candidate for governor

Peace and Freedom Party