Lessons From Youth’s Death, Man’s Beating

More than 2,000 students move peacefully through the halls of San Clemente High School each weekday. These are average American young men and women of many diverse cultures and various socioeconomic levels. They have one thing in common, though: The majority of them have never committed a hate crime in their lives. Then, why is it that many of them feel as if they have? Why is it that the media have to stigmatize an entire school for the actions of a few?

As staff and faculty at San Clemente High School, we are very angry that the newspapers and television stations have tarnished the name of a very fine school. Why must the media lump the individuals who committed this abhorrent crime with the many wonderful students who also attend SCHS? These individuals were not on a school-sponsored field trip. They were not out trying to show their school spirit on that fateful night in Laguna Beach.

Recent articles in several newspapers listed the place of employment of the 22-year-old man who is also charged with the crime as a “leather goods store in Mission Viejo.” Why was the name of the store not supplied? Is there a double standard of news reporting at work here? Apparently, the media would not besmirch the reputation of a small business, but would destroy the reputation of a local high school without a thought.

We are saddened that the media, and our society in general, has to focus such intense energy on the negative things that a few young people do, when so many of them are doing great things every day, and they never get one line of print or a word in the news.

JOE MOROS

Teacher, San Clemente High School

Editor’s note: This letter was signed by 54 other staff members at San Clemente High School.