An examination of racial prejudice

Re “The good generation gap,” Opinion, Feb. 6

As a disturbing counterpoint to Tim Rutten’s optimistic articulation of a post-racial America in which young people are blind to race, it should be noted that, in a recent report filed with the Equal Employment Commission, cases of reported racial harassment increased 24%. Also, the report states that annual reported racial harassment figures have more than doubled since 1996.

It is, of course, possible that these incidents were caused mostly by older people, or that a relatively small number of racists have become more active. But I fear that racial prejudice is more deeply ingrained in our culture than is expressed by Rutten’s article.

Ronald Rubin

Topanga

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It may well be true that rigid ideology places less of a constraint on younger voters. Still, such terms as “post-racial” and “post-ethnic” are hardly apt to describe the America of Generation Y. Schools today still have cliques separated by ethnicity, still deal with the use of racial slurs, still have bouts of violence rooted in the difference of skin tone. Rutten is smart to note the significance of the issue of class, but this is little more than an afterthought to his earlier promulgations. His greatest gaffe is his commendation of the Republican president who named African American secretaries of State and the first Latino attorney general. Since when do Republicans deserve praise for not being racist?

Amanda Schwartz

Studio City

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Rutten’s observation that we live in a time of post-racial consciousness gives cause for celebration. Indeed, the younger generation has taken readily to living in a multicultural society. In this African American History Month, it is well to remember those whose efforts have enabled this to come about. As an NAACP attorney, Thurgood Marshall provided strong arguments leading to school desegregation. Then as Supreme Court justice, Marshall’s leadership led to the voiding of laws supporting discrimination in housing. And wouldn’t the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., for all he accomplished to further civil rights for African Americans and other oppressed minorities, be elated to see a black man and a woman running for president?

Phil Shigekuni

North Hills

The writer is civil rights chairman of the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.