Apparently Phil Schwadel, in his opinion letter on Nov. 9, missed the point of both of the speeches concerning diversity/multiculturalism that were given on Nov. 7 and 8. Mr. Schwadel states that: "It [multiculturalism] is intended to combat the 'melting-pot' movement that urges all Americans to be the same being."

He then goes on to state that being the same is being white and of Western European decent. I was not aware there was an ethnic group "Western European." I have always thought of European descent as being Italian, Polish, French, Finnish, Slavic, Germanic or Russian -- the same as I have always thought of African descent as being Nigerian, Ugandan, Namibian, Kenyan, Moroccan, Zambian or Cameroonian.

Mr. Schwadel is hypocritical by saying that "multiculturalism" is meant to prevent the melting-pot, but he already groups almost every white person into that melting-pot. Mr. Schwadel goes on to say that given support of individual rights: "There would be no attempt to equalize the playing field, there would be a social free-for-all where those who already hold power horde it and use it to raise themselves further above the rest of the nation and the world." I wasn't aware that power could be hoarded by a few in a society where individual rights are supreme.

Mr. Schwadel advocates the opinion that: "Minorities do not have the power to rely on individual rights." So, apparently, Mr. Schwadel knows what's best for everyone? Implying that the government should hand out special rights to those who feel they are discriminated against in some manner. That sounds to me to be the road to segregation, a road our nation has been down before and doesn't want to return to.