CROSS CURRENT

White’s paean to multiculturalism is typical of The Times’ many contributions to politically correct thinking. This puff piece is rife with ridiculous assertions, such as “racism and sexism are at the heart of America’s malaise.” What about more appropriate reasons, such as reverse discrimination, the breakdown of the family and an education system in need of reform.

Granted, white males occupy the upper echelons of corporations in greater numbers than minorities or women, but it is inexcusable to hire individuals based on their sex or the color of their skin. Merit and qualifications should be the primary criteria for corporate promotions. Diversity pandering by major corporations will only create greater enmity among different races and genders.

JEFFREY A. HARTWICK

Long Beach White responds: The reader seems to be confusing diversity management with affirmative action, which has been the law of the land for more than 25 years. The Elsie Cross model of “culture change” is a step well beyond affirmative action in that it aims to maximize the use of all the talents in an organization. Her work is not about helping victims. It’s about the hard work of undoing “organizational oppression,” which undermines the creativity and confidence of all people in the workplace.