Ward Connerly

Re “After 209, What’s Next for Connerly?” Capitol Journal, by George Skelton, Nov. 18:

How sad it is that a man of conviction is so persecuted because he believes that affirmative action is no longer necessary. Ward Connerly is a victim of racism at its worst. Many people--African American and white--agreed with him. Each and every time that I heard Connerly speak about Prop. 209 he was thoughtful, articulate and spoke to the facts of the issue.

Yet his opponents refused to articulate a factual argument in favor of 209 because it was easier to attack this man personally and question his “blackness.”

We all lose when independent, thinking people are treated as badly as Connerly was. By the way, I voted against 209.

JACKIE RAVEL

Sun Valley

* Re “Prop. 209 Foes Seize Building at UC Riverside,” Nov. 12:

In your article, Zarina Zanipatini is quoted as expressing her concern that her “little brothers and sisters could be denied access” to UC Riverside, where she is apparently concluding her studies.

Please have someone tell her that no one will be denied anything. The entrance requirements are not biased. If you have the grades, you get in. If you don’t, you attend an institution in line with your academic status: a state university, or, if necessary, a community college, which could eventually lead to acceptance at one of the four-year institutions.

Zanipatini also states that she was protesting on behalf of “a lot of kids who are waiting for their chances.” Again it must be said: If you qualify, you get in. There cannot be a free ride. For every lowering of standards due to ethnic considerations, a more qualified student is turned away.

Many kids are waiting for their chances. There is no place for reverse discrimination.

JOHN NEWBY

Los Angeles

* How refreshing to see the voters deciding to repeal affirmative action. The passage of Prop. 209 is a sign of the times. A sign that signals the end of greed, unfairness and quotas. A time that has come to level the playing field, making each American accountable on merit alone. Now, if we can only get some military officials and Texaco executives to teach a seminar on how to succeed on this playing field, the process will be complete.

TODD A. CARTER