Letter of the Day: Obama's remark about West should send a strong message

I applaud President Obama for his blunt condemnation of rapper Kanye West after West rudely embarrassed country star Taylor Swift on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards.

For years, rappers have flourished through vile, aggressive behavior and music, all the while being worshipped by boys and young men of all races, but more prevalently by those of color.

I hope the comment of Obama, a black man who has reached the pinnacle of success, will remind young black men that hard work and education, not controversy and flamboyance, are the true measure of one's value to society.

JASON GABBERT, APPLE VALLEY