Will Jesse Jackson Be Help or Hindrance?

Diane Pucin put the right spin on Jesse Jackson [“Jackson Will Be a Problem, Not Part of the Solution,” Aug. 17]. It shows how far he’ll reach to try and make something into racism. I do believe the temperature on the field was the same for all players, not just black ones. And to equate today’s millionaire athletes to cotton pickers goes beyond ridiculous. Racism is something to be fought, but trying to turn everything that happens into racism should be fought too.

Diane will probably be called a racist in some circles, but she should be called a truthist.

Rick Curtis

Westlake Village

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Even if some of us can parse through the doublespeak of NCAA regulations (“voluntary”/”necessary”), few of us have the clout to demand greater equity and improved safety standards for college athletes.

Jesse Jackson and Johnnie Cochran are not so limited. Nevertheless, Diane Pucin questions their involvement in this issue. For evidence that Jackson’s interest is racially motivated, she points to his failure to attend the funerals of white athletes. Was he invited? I don’t know, but I doubt he would deny his help to families of athletes who suffer a fate similar to that which claimed Rashidi Wheeler’s life. Having attended Rashidi’s funeral, I can attest that people of diverse colors and religions were present.

Jesse Jackson and Rashidi Wheeler’s family sense that an injustice has been done; they now seek to redress it and prevent future anguish. For Pucin not to understand that is offensive.

Ralph Goldstein

La Verne