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Sir: TIME'S Essay, "The New Melting Pot" [Dec. 2], has contributed greatly to a much needed and long overdue restatement of the structure and function of the U.S. Our democratic republic has always been the pioneer of the brotherhood of nationalities, the hope of the democratic governments and the champion of the U.N., so that this institution of all nations shall emerge as an effective instrument of peace and justice for all. As long as this American function continues, it will substantially encourage the pursuit of world improvement.
JAMES BONDURIS San Antonio
Sir: It is difficult for me to envisage any kind of melting pot. As far as I know, in a melting pot all colors turn out grey. I see the American ethnic groups as a huge symphony orchestra in which each instrument retains its own characteristics, makes its particular contribution and, together with the other instruments, creates a wonderful or a terrible sound. Surely, to achieve a good sound, a French horn does not become a violin, nor does a piccolo turn into a kettledrum; rather, each strives harder to play in harmony with the others.
STANLEY ULMAN Orchard Lake, Mich.
Party Poop
Sir: In an otherwise pleasant and accurate account of my dance [Dec. 9], TIME reported that I supplied the New York Times with a list of those invited. Although it is true that the Times printed a somewhat incomplete and inaccurate guest list, this list was not obtained from me nor was it published with my knowledge or permission.
TRUMAN CAPOTE Southampton, N.Y.
Paeans to Pablo
Sir: Good heavens! From where do you suppose came Matisse's grand sense of structure, the color and style of Gorky's early compositions, Moore's inflated, floating female forms, De Kooning's voluptuous women, and Bacon's double-faced images? The past 50 years of art are utterly unthinkable without Picasso's influence [Dec. 2], and I mean after 1914 as well as before. His work may still evoke "anger and adulation," but to say that "modern art would have existed with or without Picasso" is really going a bit too far.
KATE S. GANZ Rome
Surgery for Transsexuals
Sir: Two wrongs do not make a right. The irresponsible tampering with the body [Dec. 2] of a helpless soul should be censured as unethical and punished as malpractice. I wonder how Johns Hopkins could lend its authority to this vicious kind of surgery, which is based on a most stupid "logic" of its inventor and followers.
CHARLES L. JOSA, M.D. Clinton, S.C.
Sir: Transsexuals indeed! Is there one among us who has not felt at one time or another that those of the opposite sex "have it made"? We cannot, however, solve our emotional problems by allowing ourselves to be turned into freaks. I'm all for medical progress, but this barbaric procedure should be stopped.
MRS. L. BRITT Boston
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