The Right Stuff to Write

To Sharon D. Johnson: I just read your response to Paul Brownfield’s article regarding sitcomwriters and the lack of jobs this season (“Sitcom Writers and the Color of Funny,” June 26). Puhhhlease, get over yourself! You are an intelligent woman who seems to have a great command of the written word, but as a writer you fail to think outside the box. And your sense of humor seems to be clouded by a bitterness toward network execs and white writers. Maybe sitcom writing isn’t for you?

Enough with what color a writer is! You are a writer; start seeing yourself as one and quit using the color of your skin as a roadblock to what you perceive as your limited success. What you want is an easy ride to the top--and who doesn’t in this town?--but the reality is that there is no free ride for anyone in Hollywood, regardless of their skin color.

The idea that keeps most people thinking inside the box is that they assume the phrase goes, “We have a right to our passion.” When in fact the phrase is, “We have a right to the pursuit of our chosen interest.” Confusing the two leads us to believe we have a right to our success. We don’t. We have a right to pursue it.

ANDREA COCHRAN

Los Angeles