In his survey of 1968 (1968: the year that set the world on fire, 10 October), William Boyd draws a specious and offensive parallel between the “urban terrorism” of groups like the Red Army Faction and campaigning by Extinction Rebellion, Pussy Riot and Femen. None of these groups has advocated or indulged in violence. Rather, they draw on traditions of spectacle, disruption and carnival to try to bring about change.
Laura Corballis
Bristol
• I agree with Joseph Harker that Enslaved (TV review, 11 October) suggests slavery was driven by unbridled capitalism as well as racism. It was a refreshingly nuanced documentary that also confronted the pre-European existence of slavery among the Ashanti and the trading of fellow Africans for guns.
Stan Labovitch
Windsor, Berkshire
• The launch of a new promotional film by Essex’s tourist board (Essex stars help tourist board challenge stereotype, 14 October) may be somewhat mistimed as the county enters tier 2 lockdown. I for one will certainly not be crossing the border from Hertfordshire.
Richard Hollis
St Albans, Hertfordshire
• Your puzzle setters seem to hail from a different era – Friday’s quick crossword had “typist” and “manpower” as solutions, along with “pressman” in the Codeword.
Julie Sellers
Stockport, Greater Manchester
• Herbert Kretzmer is known for his Les Misérables lyrics (Obituary, 14 October), but let’s not forget his other claim to immortality: Kinky Boots, sung by Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman of The Avengers.
Ceri Brown
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
