Melding Opinions on the Melting Pot

Iam responding to the letter by Lenette A. Graham (Letters in View, Jan. 27) responding to the article “Beyond the Melting Pot.” Graham observed that while African Americans were referred to as black in the article, whites had the “privilege” of being called “Anglo.”

I for one do not consider it a privilege to be called Anglo. On the contrary, I find it highly offensive. My ancestry is mostly Irish and Italian, while Anglos are people of Germanic English descent.

Especially in view of the long history of oppression and cruelty practiced by the English against the Irish, I highly resent being referred to as Anglo simply because my skin is beige and I speak English. And lumping Italian Americans under the category of Anglo is just plain silly.

Count me in with letter writer Jonathan E. Beck (in the same column) who, when confronted with a choice between checking off “Asian, Black, Hispanic, Anglo or Other,” picks “Other.” Perhaps if everyone did the same, society would begin to realize how ridiculous these labels are.

MARY BENEDICT

Sherman Oaks