To the Editor:

Monica Yant Kinney appropriately chided Milton Street for hurling a racial slur at mayoral candidate Michael Nutter. She followed with the rejoinder, "So much for Philly being the Next Great City" ("Milton and his one-ring circus," Feb. 22). We agree with Yant Kinney's outrage, but disagree with her conclusion.

Unfortunately, intemperate, mean-spirited, divisive comments are abundant and prejudice lies just below the surface affecting so many aspects of our lives. For Philadelphia to wallow in despair in the face of such realities, however, is both impractical and short-sighted. In documented cases, displays of bigotry have led to actions that have produced positive results in schools, places of business, communities, and even political life. The Inquirer's own initiative, "Great Expectations: Citizen Voices on Philadelphia's Future," takes the approach of facing cold realities and hard-core problems head-on while turning our strength to advantage.

In this spirit, the Anti-Defamation League, joined by Asian Americans United, Committee of Seventy, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, League of Women Voters of Philadelphia and the Urban League of Philadelphia, Inc., is appealing to candidates for mayor to skirt appeals to bias and to focus instead on relevant and timely issues. Our groups are encouraging candidates to set a standard, to educate the electorate, to encourage proper and constructive behavior, and to place responsibility where it lies to achieve this - with the candidates, their parties, the press and the electorate.