Aftermath of Fire at Jordan Downs
As I read the article about the fire in the Jordan Downs project my heart ached. As a young Chicana I find it saddening that my black and brown brothers and sisters cannot achieve unity. Latinos and blacks share the same plight: poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and gang violence. Young Latino men, as well as young black men, are dying at an alarming rate due to drugs and gang violence. Now is not the time for Latinos and blacks to turn against each other.
Our youth is at a very high risk of dropping out, teen pregnancy and other social ills. We must abandon this self-destructive trend of blaming each other, and start working on solutions.
Latinos and blacks should know by now that we can’t wait for someone else to provide leadership, for no one knows our circumstances as well as we do.
ANGELINA SAENZ
Los Angeles
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