LACKING LATINOS

It was with great disappointment and sadness that I read the letters commenting on Gregg Barrios’ article about the lack of Latinos represented in “Platoon” (Calendar Letters, April 26).

To have such a callous disregard and lack of insight into the situation is most disturbing. Barrios’ article was enlightening and pragmatic, only asking that the truth be told. Granted, director Oliver Stone wrote of his experiences, but as the definitive Vietnam saga, the inclusion of Latinos, specifically Mexican-Americans (and blacks as well) was almost mandatory in presenting a factual representation of the situation.

Only if one has experienced the frustration and humiliation by misrepresentations, non-representations and disregard as a race or culture, whether it be in films or television, can they perhaps understand what Barrios was trying to say. Sadly, empathy and sympathy do not seem to exist among many of Calendar’s readers.

KAREN QUESADA

Los Angeles