October 6, 1996

Broderbund Software Incorporated
500 Redwood Boulevard
Novata, California 94947-6921

To Chairman of the Board and CEO Douglas G. Carlston

     I was thrilled when one of my fathers bought me "The Print Shop Deluxe" for my IBM as
a Kwanza present.  I instantly installed it on to my computer and figured I could make a fine card
for both of my parents in honor of our holiday.  I wanted to make this card a very beautiful card
with different graphics to represent my parents.  First, I looked for something about Kwanza.  I
was out of luck.  Your "African Boy" graphic is less than appropriate for the holiday.  I also
noticed, during my search, that the only African Americans which you featured in your "People"
library happened to be Jazz Musicians.  You play up to those stereotypes quite well.  This is not
the 1930s, and there are successful African Americans in every profession you could care to
name.  That leads me to my next woe, for one of my fathers is a Sanitation Engineer, and he does
a damn good job at cleaning homes too!  I could not find any person of the sort even though you
go as far as to have a pictures of a pizza delivery boy, a Siamese dancer and a young woman
practicing T'ai Chi.  I find that your priorities need a bit of revising.  It was far easier to find a
picture of a business executive for my other father.  This leads me to my final gripe.  You have yet
to understand that in this country there are many, many homosexuals, such as my fathers.  Try to
encourage tolerance, not shy away from it.  Many different types of people and families live in this
world.  You might consider hiring a graphics advisor and editor who is outside the mainstream,
one who is not a heterosexual caucasion as I'm sure your current chief of staff is.  You could
always hire someone like me.  The investment would pay off when the updates for products are
released.  I'd appreciate an apology, as well as a bit of revision in future editions.  Thank you.

                       A disappointed son,
                               
                           Lenny Malone
                           New Rochelle, NY