How did Trump win? The media played a part

Taken to task over Trump

Regarding “Televising Trump” [Dec. 18]: What got Trump elected was the total collapse of journalism standards at prestigious major media outlets and other less traditional but influential outlets as well. It was absolutely scary to watch these former bastions of journalism slide into Pravda territory.

Don Prohaska

Boston

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In the beginning, fascism was mentioned regularly in regard to Trump, but quickly that was filtered away in the media, no matter how truthful that was, because it was not good for their image.

Jan De Bont

Los Angeles

Progressive rock deserves respect

I was amused by Mikael Wood’s criticism of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s newest announced nominees [“Rock Hall’s Doors Open Wider,” Dec. 20]. For years the Hall has demonstrated contempt for progressive rock bands. That the Hall is admitting Yes after all these years is a miracle of sorts, yet Wood like so many critics seems to question the election of both Yes and ELO. It’s truly sad that bands like Deep Purple, Yes and Jethro Tull are disrespected by critics and the Hall of Fame.

Gregg Solkovits

Northridge

The phantom ‘Rogue’ boycott?

Where is this conservative boycott of the “diverse” new “Star Wars” film Justin Chang writes of in his review [“Past as Prologue: ‘Rogue One’ adds a thrilling, if slightly uneven, early wrinkle to the mythology of ‘Star Wars,’” Dec. 15]? I’m a conservative, and everyone I know is going to see it.

Stan Evans

Valley Village

A review misses important step

Shame, shame, shame for not including dance in the Arts & Books 2016 Year in Review [Dec. 18]. Los Angeles is the current creative capital of the United States, home to thriving music, theater, performance arts and DANCE. It was wonderful to see dance included in the L.A. Times’ season preview.

L.A. Times readers not only deserve a season preview but also a season review. The L.A. dance community deserves consistent coverage in the city’s major newspaper. The nation and the world should be able to look to the L.A. Times to clue them in to what is happening in the U.S.’s most creative, exciting, entrepreneurial 21st century dance community.

Felicia Rosenfeld

Los Angeles

Along for the ride in class

Regarding “A Takeoff for Parts Unknown: Susan Sarandon traces ‘Thelma & Louise’s’ route to remaking the buddy flick” [Dec. 16]. “Thelma and Louise” is a staple in both the film classes I teach: Introduction to Film and American Cinema. It is just as relevant today as it was in 1991.

Kathleen McCord

San Diego

Hue and cry over Oscars

Regarding “Recasting Oscars” [Dec. 18]: Ethel Waters and Lena Horne were passed over in 1942 for British actress Flora Robson in blackface to play a Haitian maid in “Saratoga Trunk.” Robson was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar for that film. It’s about time the academy got it right.

Lloyd Fradkin

Newhall

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On what planet does Ms. Cheryl Boone Isaacs reside [“Recasting Oscars,” Dec. 18]? Does she have a clue about the history of Hollywood? Did she grow up watching movies like I did? Or the Oscars? Does she even have a clue about why she was selected for her useless position?

Elizabeth M. Foster

Pasadena

Celebrating Linda Ronstadt

I had the good fortune to be at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel for the Linda Ronstadt tribute [“A Heartfelt Thanks for Her Fine Musical Ear,” Dec. 13]. My wife and I made a quick trek to L.A. solely to attend that event. As we sat at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday morning waiting to board our return flight, it was a treat to see your wonderful article in The Times. I so hoped the event would “register” with the paper. I think you captured the essence of the event wonderfully.

Ken Johnson

Louisville, Ky.

‘Whiteness’ was issue in election

I really enjoyed Lorraine Ali’s article “The New Lines in Our Language” [Dec. 11]. It really extends an article I read a week or so ago that opined Middle America whites intentionally voted against their self-interest on many levels because they decided that supporting their “whiteness” was most important in this election. Of course that approach will last for a year and then they will realize that other issues affect their lives much more than being white. That’s how long superficial approaches to issues usually last.

Bob DePiano

Los Angeles