Beyond supercross

I just wanted to write and thank Susan Carpenter for her article on the Anaheim supercross [“Grandstand Theater,” Jan. 11]. One aspect of it really made me smile. As you know, James Stewart (who figured prominently in your article) is an African American. However, you never mentioned this fact. And you know what -- that’s great!

In my opinion, black people never will be fully accepted as equals in American society so long as the media continue to call attention to the fact they’re black, and “the first African American to do” this or that. It’s a kind of backhanded insult, another example of, gee, a black person has finally managed to do something that white people have been doing for years. By not mentioning Stewart’s race, you show that you accept him and acknowledge him as you would any other supercross star, as another young man racing at the highest level of the sport. In my book, that’s the best example of equality, achieving the “colorblind” society that Dr. King worked to bring about.

BILL STERMER

Camarillo