Dr Carolyn Cooper, in her article published yesterday, came across like a boxer. I think of one of boxing's greats - Lennox Lewis - weaving and bobbing against his opponent in the ring, throwing short jabs here and there and landing uppercuts and telling body blows.

I find it ironic that in an article she submitted earlier this month, Dr Cooper addressed, with much cynicism and skepticism, the appointment of Steven Golding as chair of Garvey Studies at the new Hydel University. In her latest article, she was still throwing punches at the chair by emphasising that Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, where she and her friend whom she quoted work, is a 'real, real university'. This is all trivial, Dr Cooper. And, may I advise that University of Technology and Northern Caribbean University and many others of our local tertiary institutions are not just 'real, real universities and institutions', but they continue to produce stalwarts who serve our beautiful country with selflessness and distinction.

In closing, may I just appeal for a spirit of tolerance among our people. It is again ironic that while Dr Cooper doesn't see virtue in a young, black Jamaican heading a department to study and promulgate information on one of our national heroes - Garvey - she passionately pushes for black Jamaican women to win the Miss Jamaica World beauty contest.

By the way, Dr C, have you given thought to entering next year's Miss Jamaica? Maybe you would justify our motto, 'Out of many, one people', by entering and winning.

I am, etc.,

DAVE A MCFARLANE

nerdav@anngel.com.jm

Christiana PO

Manchester