Racism

Vladimir Pozner’s article (“The Fruits of Racism Ripen in Russia as in Los Angeles,” Commentary, June 17), which strikes an analogy between the Soviet Union’s race situation and that of the United States, was insightful and provocative. I hope many will take heed, but I must say that Pozner’s views spring from a mainstream American perception and ignores that America is not black and white.

The riot would have been a much smaller event had not all disenfranchised members of our communities participated. The black anger may have been a catalyst but without the participation of the indigenous population of this region (read Latino) the rebellion could easily have been dismissed as a criminal act and not a social reaction. We are the only ethnic group that was here from the beginning. Do not forget about us.

PAUL PEREIRA

Wilmington