Gary Younge may have concerns about racial disadvantage in Hackney (Farewell to America, 1 July). However, an African American cab driver in Miami, on hearing my English accent, told me that he had heard London was the best place to live for black people. This brought tears to my eyes: how bad must it be in the US when London is perceived in this way? Thank you, Gary, for showing us the reality of black lives in the Land of the Free.
Jennifer Henley
London
• Michael Billington’s otherwise excellent obituary of Elizabeth MacLennan (1 July) neglected to explain that the theatre company 7:84, which she co-founded some 44 years ago, was so called from the then estimate that 84% of the wealth of the nation (as in the land) was owned by just 7% of the populace. I wonder what a radical theatre company today would call itself? Suggestions?
Rick Hall
Nottingham
• Your article (The Guardian, Mecca, and the tripe industry: the offal truth, 29 June) reminds me that David Vine rather insensitively introduced an edition of the television programme Superstars with the words: “Welcome to Jerusalem, a mecca for tourists…”
Derek Brandon
Cheltenham
• I am relieved that the local councillors in the north of England did not have quite as much power when the Industrial Revolution got under way (Second Cuadrilla fracking bid rejected in Lancashire, 30 June).
Melvyn Bragg
London
• I did see one cabbage white yesterday (Letters, 30 June) but failed to spot any ladybirds; never seen so many aphids.
John Bailey
St Albans, Hertfordshire
• Can Maryam please phone me (Letters, 1 July)? I have important information about a use for old 35mm film canisters.
Paul Reizin
London
