Ta-Nehisi Coates deserves much credit for his excellent, informative, and well-written article on Howard University (“Return of the Mecca?” 2/19). It’s unfortunate that Coates has such a bleak view of Howard’s future. As his story made clear, in a relatively short period of time the university has gone through many changes, and it seems to be in a better overall state now than it has been in recent years. Activism takes different forms at different times. That current Howard students perhaps lack a ’60s-style activist mentality does not necessarily mean that they are complacent. Education, after all, is a form of activism in itself, and it seems pretty safe to suggest that Howard graduates will continue to make significant contributions in our society.

Chevy Chase, Md.

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