The letters in your April 12 edition from M Shirodkar, Ken Leigh, David Miller, I Sade and Paul Amsterdam, about Councillor Brian Gordon's fancy dress are missing the point. They obviously have the same dim-wit view as Mr Gordon.

As someone in the public eye, you should think clearly what is offensive and hurtful to any community.

In a world where there is so much hostility we do not want to see a councillor who I thought should know better when so many of his constituents are African people who actually live there.

To treat dressing up as lighthearted fun is deeply offensive.

Mr Mandela spent many years of his life fighting against racism. Brian Gordon has hijacked, misrepresented and ignored the true meaning of Mr Mandela's perserverance and sacrifice for justice and fairrness.

However, if black people find certain things offensive, it should be respected, and as black people we have different historical experiences and to offend us in this way is not taking us seriously.

I am glad MP Andrew Dismore understands what we are getting at, and sees we are still being stereotyped today.

He works for everyone, regardless of their political differences.

Councillor Agnes Slocombe (Lab) West Hendon ward