Before Obama -- ‘24’

I GREATLY enjoyed Greg Braxton’s article about blacks in Hollywood’s White House [“Black Like Them,” June 22]. It was as if he was reading my mind.

I subscribe to the “popular entertainment influences attitudes” school of thought. I was first made aware of “24” several years ago by white friends who told me the story line and neglected to tell me the president was black. What I really liked was that Dennis Haysbert’s president was strong, decisive and effective.

I am absolutely convinced that a character like David Palmer conditioned some people to become comfortable with the idea of a black president. It aided in the rise of Barack Obama.

Kevin Henderson

Palo Alto