‘HISTORY’ LESSONS

While performing my Sunday ritual of coffee and Calendar section, I came across Patrick Goldstein’s article on the upcoming film “American History X” (“Courting Trouble,” Sept. 13).

As I read what seemed to me a piece of reportage that would live up to The Times’ usual standards, I was drawn up short. In Goldstein’s description of Edward Norton’s tattoos/body makeup, he mentioned a particular mark on Norton’s back that read “DOC” and explained that it was “short for Disciples of Christ, an Aryan white-supremacy group.”

What shocked and troubles me about that brief phrase is this: I, my parents, my brother and thousands of others are members of the Disciples of Christ, a Protestant body founded at the Old Cane Ridge Meeting House in Paris, Ky., in 1804. Among our membership are people of every race, who accept as one of our cardinal principals religious tolerance. As we all know too well, white supremacists have a much less broad criteria for membership.

What troubles me is that now I and other members of this church may suffer an unfair judgment, should we declare ourselves to those who have read this article, but do not know this difference. Nazis and other white-supremacy groups have appropriated many of the symbols and words of Christianity, all without the content of its convictions.

CRAIG BROWN

Orange

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To those familiar with Tony Kaye’s work as an award-winning commercial director, it’s a disappointment to read of the power play behind his first feature film.

No director should be forced to compromise his vision just to indulge the whims of a film’s star talent. There is no mistake that Norton is a fine actor, but playing the editor is not a part of his job description. New Line made a mistake by not reining him in when they should have and Tony Kaye is not going to let them forget it any time soon.

Maybe all that is needed to start more amicable negotiations is a good, old-fashioned apology.

ALLISON HAGEN

La Crescenta