SUCCESS STORIES
Although there may be some truth in Leo Estrada’s hypothesis that “you cannot break out of the culture of poverty unless there is something unusual about you,” I find fault with the implication that a break from Catholicism is a key ingredient in the success of Latinos.
Rodriguez provides no balance to Elizabeth de la Rosa’s statement that “the Catholics couldn’t do anything till they checked with Father or Sister.” While Protestantism in a Catholic community could be one indicator of a difference that leads to success, there must be others or there wouldn’t be any successful Catholic Latinos.
The only true keys to success are the values and goals held by the individual. Instilled as they are by family and community, these values and goals belong to no single community, no single culture, no single race or religion.
RALPH F. VIZCARRA
Long Beach
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