Ivy League blacks
Sir: A decade ago, I roomed next to three black Harvard freshmen. Al Capp's 'Blacks at Harvard ' piece reminded me of the real problems these guys faced at a time when discrimination towards Negroes at Harvard was beginning to be the order of the day. All of my neighbours were hand-picked for Harvard. None of them seemed happy there, and in the end I believe that only one of the three graduated.
I suspect that in most universities the easier course options are popular. I do not recall many at Harvard. Is it surprising that Harvard blacks with such a lot at stake have had a strong selfpreservation instinct? Ironically, Professor Kilson, a gracious establishment Negro, used to be criticised by students for his lack of industry as loudly as he is now condemning Negro Black Studies majors at Harvard for being idle.
Valentine Lewthwaite 46 Lansdowne Road, London W11
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