Group Advocacy or Self-Promotion?

I am surprised that The Times would print Cynthia Tucker’s Aug. 20 commentary, “Mfume’s Ego Got in the Way.” Her criticism of Kweisi Mfume’s efforts to place minorities in prominent positions as being self-serving and leaving the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People vulnerable to charges of a shakedown is judgmental. Her use of the word “shakedown” is inflammatory. She even refers to the Rev. Jessie Jackson’s work as a shakedown, and that sets the tone for the whole piece. When she ended her commentary stating that the NAACP’s “time would be better spent encouraging minority households to give up TV altogether,” where were your editors?

Jeanne Londe

Reseda

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Tucker is absolutely correct in her assessment of Mfume. His self-deception has badly damaged the credibility of the NAACP and its ability to lead the advocacy movement for diversity in television. The fact that he sees nothing wrong with shopping a talk show pilot while pressuring networks to be more inclusive shows that he just doesn’t get it. How do you maintain trust in someone when his “hidden” agenda becomes public?

Victoria B. Pipkin

Inglewood