TLS Rod Serling to John F. Kennedy, 26 March 1962

March 26, 1962 TO THE PRESIDENT J. F. Kennedy Washington, D. C. THE WHITE HOUSE MAR 29 9 22 AM '62 RECEIVED Sir: Frankly, the latter part of your speech in Berkeley was glaring in its error. It is a mistake to characterize 'diversity' as a societal goal or end, per se. Diversity as an end virtue encourages the isolation of one man from another, one country from another, continents from other continents, and so on. However, when diversity (pluralism) is permitted to operate in a society as a means device, it is the surest, most valid method of accommadation civilized men can employ. As paradoxical as it may seem, when men are free to differ with one another, they tend to cooperate with one another where larger tasks are concerned. The implied equality tends to unite people who feel free as individuals. As you rightly said, the Communist ideology proposes to bring about the unity of mankind through an externally imposed doctrine. The monolitic approach to the governing of men (this includes the oligarchic approach as it exists in our country, based on capital), in the long view of history, is generally unrealistic and unsuccessful. And, even when it appears to represent harmony, it is an artificial repre- sentation at best. Sincerely, P. S. Saw the NBC White Paper No. 11. Let's get out of the Defense mess before it's too late. The world knows the Russians will agree to disarmament. Be brave, Jack. Jhoselay Culver City, Calif.