The real hypocrites are the closed-minded, self-righteous people who object to Lauryn Hill's self-expression and expression of her faith. I am amazed and saddened that Hill has received the kind of criticism Debra Dickerson describes. Here you have a person who is intelligent and talented and is dedicated to helping people. She recognizes that what matters in her relationship with God is the spirit in her heart, not the clothes on her body -- or whether she has a ring on her finger. I have no worries about the children Lauryn Hill will raise. I wish I could say the same for her detractors.

Thank God for Dickerson's niece, Carlie, who defines her own style, chooses her own influences and puts things in perspective for her aunt. Carlie shows that young people are usually much more wise than adults care to recognize.

-- Cheshire Dave Beckerman

Yes, Lauryn Hill is not "married"; she has not put on the stage show of a "wedding" to be found acceptable by our standards. She has two children, gifts from God. She chose not to abort them, and she has help from their father to raise them in the right way. What is the problem? Who are we to judge her lifestyle? Lauryn Hill is a role model for young people. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the clothes that she wears. We as black people are so afraid of showing our strong, beautiful bodies because we are still hung up on the way "the massas and the missus" made us feel about our sexuality. There is a difference between wearing the clothes to get a man and wearing the clothes because you look great in them. It all comes down your poise, your attitude and your self-confidence. Don't blame Lauryn for the way our young people act. Lauryn was an adult before she had both children. She is educating herself, she has created opportunities for children who would not have any, and she is making a living for herself. What is wrong with that? Oh, I forgot ... She didn't do it "the acceptable way."

-- Donna Tomlinson-Smith

The rehabilitation of Latrell Sprewell
BY JULIAN RUBINSTEIN
(06/21/99)

Sprewell is a ballplayer who screwed up, paid dues and resumed making gazillions. Neither you nor the Times nor the Post make a case for the Sprewell story to warrant all the racial, psychological or moral weight it has received. Your point for projection is right only insofar as writers and fans delude themselves into thinking that assessing this overhyped matter really matters. Enough already. Sprewell is a great athlete and a pleasure to watch.

-- Ron Graziose
Mill Valley, Calif.

What your correspondent failed to mention -- and probably notice -- is that the coach who was choked was P.J. Carlesimo. Most fans in the New York City area, who have watched Carlesimo's antics for years and have memories longer than most sports reporters, heard about the attack and said, "It's about time."

-- Ken Houghton
Maplewood, N.J.

Next page | Is Ramsey Clark defending war criminals, or speaking the truth?