COUNTERPUNCH LETTERS : On Blacks in the Industry

I agree in part with Jim Brown’s comments (“Blacks in Hollywood: We Need to Help One Another . . . ,” Counterpunch, July 16). Blacks should help each other not only in Hollywood but in all phases of life.

In his criticism of certain black entertainers, Brown failed to mention two women who are in the process of making great strides in providing jobs for blacks in Hollywood--Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions (“Brewster Place”) and Marla Gibbs’ Crossroads Academy, in the South-Central L.A. community, which is providing a training vehicle for blacks who otherwise might not be seen by producers and directors. Bill Cosby’s main focus is on educating our black youth, and therefore he contributes heavily to black colleges.

CHARLOTTE G. SIMS

Los Angeles