Racism and Cabs

Re “Taxi Fleet Is Blind to African Americans,” Commentary, Nov. 16:

Actor Danny Glover has stirred up a lot of commotion by publicly accusing the New York City taxi drivers of being racist. According to him, many empty taxis passed him by while he and his daughter patiently waited on transportation to their destination. If one doesn’t believe that the taxi cab drivers in New York City discriminate against blacks, I have no problem with this position. I am not sure I believe it. I do know that my wife and I didn’t have any problems getting a taxi when we were there this year.

However, when one says, “Well, if the taxi drivers do discriminate against blacks, it is because blacks don’t tip well, or the drivers are afraid of being robbed or assaulted,” this position is not only racist and highly insensitive, it is an affront to every decent black person everywhere. It is no secret that criminals come in all races and colors.

BILL STAMPS

Cerritos

*

In the 1980s I drove a taxi in Glover’s hometown of San Francisco while attending college. As a rookie cabbie I indiscriminately picked up everyone up and went anywhere.

After six months I became a discriminating professional who through experience prejudged each rider based on my personal safety and potential economic outcome. Did I discriminate? Yes. Was I prejudiced? Yes. Should there be a universal commercial code against that business practice? Perhaps. Was I a racist? I think not.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson again obscures an issue based on his own racial prejudices.

LEE M. COHEN

Long Beach