Black Achievement

Re “The Selling Out of Black History,” Commentary, Feb. 14: Jimi Izrael is wrong to object to businesses using Black History Month to promote themselves. The civil rights movement began largely as a protest against businesses, such as bus companies and lunch counters, that refused to serve African Americans.

It seems to me a triumph, then, that in the year 2003 businesses are using Black History Month to attract as many African American customers as possible into their stores. It is also a triumph that many African Americans can not only afford the overpriced coffee at Starbucks but, like Magic Johnson, can own overpriced coffee stores!

Jonathan Howard

Los Angeles