Asian American culture is not damaging to American culture. In fact, it has been a part of our culture since before the Gold Rush of 1849. Likewise, the contribution of African Americans to American culture is so fundamental that rather than damaging our heritage, it would be destructive to excise it. The same can be said for all ethnic groups that have emigrated to this continent–English, Irish, Eastern Europeans, Catholics, Jews, Muslims . . . the list goes on. Rather than repeat the mistakes of the past, the Houston Tennis Association rejects violence as a tool to resist social change (or indeed, in any context) and calls for courtesy, open hearts and minds, and the acceptance that we cannot individually or as distinct societies mandate what is universally good, beautiful or right. It is when we think that we can, that ugliness has fertile soil in which to grow. . Douglas Pritchett