The light-hearted lead in the anti-California vandalism story ("'Go back to California!' graffiti on car, house stuns new arrivals, highlights old tensions in Portland," July 2) was uncalled for. The house and car of two new residents of Portland were badly damaged. That is not time for joking references to the "terrifying bogeyman" or the "beast that steals jobs" that some people perceive a Californian to be.
The writer also refers to one of the victim's "long blond locks and easygoing manner of the stereotypical Californian." Yes, out of more than 39 million Californians, that is how we all see a Californian. Maybe in a 1980s sitcom.
Some background about the history of anti-Californian bias might come well down into the story, but not in the fourth paragraph, as it did in what should be a news story, not a ha-ha feature.
Dan Hortsch, North Portland
The author is a former public editor for The Oregonian.
