Convention Contracts

“Local Minority Firms Say DNCC Cut Them Out” [Aug. 11] brings the affirmative-action debate to where it belongs, the Democratic National Convention. I was amazed to know $10 million of $13 million in contracts were awarded to nonminority men in a city with one of the highest minority populations in the U.S.

Hispanics are the largest ethnic group in Los Angeles, yet their total grab of DNCC contracts is third, at $642,000, behind that of blacks, $751,000. This apportionment of wealth is ludicrous. But it is based on federal affirmative-action laws, supported by the Democrats’ minority base.

This fiasco is a prime example of how the combination of affirmative-action policies and biased political representation can disenfranchise people.

CARL McGILL

President and CEO

Black Chamber of Commerce

of Los Angeles County

Inglewood

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So maybe Al Gore and his buddies are no more “inclusive” than the GOP after all.

Who’s kidding whom? Gore is the guy who had no qualms about shaking down monks at a Buddhist temple for campaign donations.

JENNIFER A. BELL

Sacramento