MOTHERS AND GANGS

Regarding “Mothers, Sons and the Gangs” (by Sue Horton, Oct. 16): How awful to know that your child is a gang member and that there isn’t anything you can do. So many of the parents of gang members have to work so hard and exist in an environment that not even the most educated and enlightened parent could raise children in in any decent way.

Why is it that our local, state and federal “leaders” are not doing more for parents? Is it because these parents do not represent the white middle class, or because they do not pose a threat when election time comes? True leadership is assuming responsibility for everyone in society.

More police and tougher sentencing is but a Band-Aid and not the solution that some of our politicians would have us believe. These children need better schools, caring teachers, positive surroundings and parents who are able to spend quality time with them. We need to do something about the horrible environment in which parents are being forced to raise their families. Wholesome prosperity for anyone living in these embattled neighborhoods is against the odds. Beating the odds is a matter of courage--courage to change a world within our society that has too long been ignored.

GERARDO MOUET

Irvine