Idea of the Melting Pot Is Still Valid

In his March 27 commentary article, John G. Simmons objects to the demotion of Burbank High School Principal Keiko Hentell.

Mr. Simmons uses his Burbank Human Relations Council presidency as a bully pulpit to imply an underlying motive of racism, yet he cites an evaluation of Ms. Hentell which states, “The decision-making process and relationships with the community at large need considerable improvement” and also that, in the course of her tenure, there was concern “that the traditional population is being overlooked.”

In fact, both these points seem cause for action.

It concerns me greatly that apparently Mr. Simmons sanctions the type of leadership that focuses on special interest groups and overlooks others. Isn’t this what the racism of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s was all about: one population overlooked and denied opportunities because of some inherent characteristic? Doesn’t this continue segregation, only with a different group on top? Effective leadership would not foster divisiveness, as seems to have been done, but would encompass all groups.

I am becoming increasingly wary of liberal advocates who bend too far to the left to try to make up for society’s wrongs of the past. Many of us liberals still believe in the melting pot where we appreciate and are enriched by our ethnic diversity but are united and equal as Americans.

PATRICIA BURNETT, Burbank