Sen. Feinstein on Civil Rights

* Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in “A Pragmatic Answer to the Race Dilemma” (Commentary, Aug. 11), states, “Enrollment figures for incoming African American students will drop to their lowest levels at California colleges and universities next semester.” The truth of this statement will not be known for several weeks; however, the University of California Statement of Intent to Register numbers released last month indicate that African American enrollment will be up 5.4% from last year (“Fewer Minorities Apply to UC, but More Are Accepting Offers,” July 12). Highly publicized scenarios, such as the Boalt law school situation, where 14 admitted students rejected Berkeley’s offers (presumably for better ones), have apparently led the senator, and the president, to hyperbolism--not a sound basis for pragmatic solutions.

The senator has chosen to interpret the expressed desire of her constituents to end quotas as an “effort to disband programs ensuring equal opportunities in employment, contracting and education.” I disagree with the senator’s description; however, a quota that I do support is one textbook per subject for every K-12 student in California. A successful effort to expedite the supply of textbooks to inner-city schools would be a real step toward ensuring equal opportunities in education.

JO FRENCH

La Canada