‘Pfeiffer’ Strained Through a PC Filter

Mark Ridley-Thomas and his fellow L.A. City Council members’ shameful attempt to censor “The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer” is a case of political correctness run amok (“300 Protest a Studio Against TV Comedy Set in Slavery Era,” by Greg Braxton, Oct. 1).

Setting aside the fact that “Pfeiffer” is about a black man (English, at that) who is more intelligent and resourceful than anyone around him, the article states that “critics still object to other references . . . including one in which a white man orders Pfeiffer to get his legs off a kitchen table because ‘slavery isn’t over yet.’ ” Hello? How is this racist or trivializing? Isn’t it showing how odious racism is? Doesn’t it get the blood boiling at the racist who said it? Is referring to racism somehow considered to be racism?

Situation comedies have dealt with serious issues both well (Edith Bunker’s rape) and trivially (“Hogan’s Heroes”), and the nation has survived both. I suspect it will survive the portrayal of a morally and intellectually superior black man in the Lincoln White House even if it were, through some incomprehensible perversion of the word, “racist.”

I knew a teacher in L.A. who got to school early each day to make sure there were no dead bodies on the playground. Perhaps it would help the city more if Ridley-Thomas spent less time posturing about TV sitcoms and more addressing the truly horrific conditions of many of his constituents.

The idea that government bodies are somehow empowered to prevent artistic expression that they say trivializes important issues is extraordinarily dangerous--to them. For if such an idea became law, certain council members might be the first ones in jail.

DAVID MISCH

Santa Monica

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Before “Hogan’s Heroes,” no one probably thought humor could be found in a World War II prisoner of war camp either. Yet VFW members did not protest the airing of that very funny show 30 years ago.

Danny Bakewell Sr., the Brotherhood Crusade and all the other alleged black American leaders and organizations should direct their energies to keeping black men out of prison and in their homes to take care of their families. With only a third of black babies born to married, two-parent households, black American society seems to have far more serious problems than some silly television comedy on a third-rate network that’s not likely to even see a complete season.

Get serious.

ALAN CAWI

Alhambra

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Perhaps we can calm the controversy over “The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer” by adding a letter to the television rating system.

“S” for “slavery” would have been perfect, but that’s already claimed. How about “B” for “bondage”?

JOHN BANACH

Hollywood