The Post’s sclerotic column (“Not the End of NYC’s Ethnic Politics,” PostOpinion, Eric Fettmann, Sept. 22) deplores the return of ethnic politics — surmising foolishly that Bill de Blasio’s African-American son’s Afro hair-do appealed to black voters, even though blacks and other Democratic primary voters didn’t vote along racial, gender or sexual-orientation lines. De Blasio handily won support all across the spectrum.
Now there is a runoff between a black woman and a white man for public advocate. The fear that voters will ignore qualifications to prevent the possibility of all-white elected officials is off-base.
As we’ve put behind us forever the back-room politics that once arranged for “balanced” tickets among white ethnics, we can now cheer and embrace an electorate that chooses from among similarly qualified candidates the best, in accordance with principles of diversity. No one is better or less qualified because of their race, sex or sexual orientation — nor should they be excluded on those grounds.
Michael Meyers
Executive Director
New York Civil Rights Coalition
Manhattan