‘Forward’ or Backward?

Hollywood has once again passed up an opportunity to practice what it proposes to preach. In the past few years, people of color have made it well known that Hollywood has rested on its laurels when it comes to hiring actors from all walks of life to appear in its films and television shows.

In the upcoming film “Pay It Forward,” there was a perfect and built-in opportunity to hire a black actor to portray a positive role model (“No, It’s Not Too Early to Start Talking Oscar,” by Richard Natale, Sept. 10). In the book upon which it is based, the teacher who inspires students to change the world is a black man. In addition, he has a facial disfigurement, which turns out to be more of an obstacle for him than being black.

In the upcoming film, the teacher is white. Why the change? Is it because in the book the teacher begins a relationship with the mother of one of his students, who is white? Is it because they “couldn’t find a talented black actor”? I can think of at least three who would be great: Don Cheadle, Denzel Washington or Morgan Freeman. In the book, one of the negative characters is also black. I noticed they left that character in the film.

I can assure you I will not be being paying money to see this film. I do encourage everyone to run out and buy the book--it is excellent!

ELIZABETH TATUM-HARRIS

Pasadena