A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Gripe : ‘The Terrorists Are Our Children’

Generally, I’m a gentle, peace-loving woman. But today I felt an overpowering rage--I had to use every fiber of my willpower to keep from ramming my car into a group of young men. I’m not certain I would have felt any remorse.

This afternoon I shopped in a mini-mall next to my grandson’s high school while waiting to pick him up. When I approached my car, I was shocked to find my grandson pressed against the car and a menacing kid yelling in his face. I recognized this young thug and the arrogant bunch standing behind him as “skinheads.” While rapidly considering what to do, a trembling teen-age girl approached me. “Be careful,” she whispered, fearing I might get hurt. Then she disappeared into the tense crowd of high school kids watching the spectacle.

These young men weren’t fazed by my presence. When I explained that it was my car and my grandson, another gang member stepped up and socked my grandson in the face. I got in the car and honked my horn and my grandson got inside. Undaunted, the attacker gave me the finger and yelled out his phone number, daring us to call if we wanted more trouble.

I suppose I should have been afraid. Instead I felt fury as I watched this impudent punk slink off with 15 other savage-looking young men. I’ve never intentionally hurt anyone, but as I revved my car engine I was seized with an overpowering impulse to mow down these bullies. Thankfully, my grandson was the voice of reason and stopped me.

Boys have always fought--it seems to be part of their rite of passage. But this was not a scuffle between two kids who might go home with a shiner. The shocking thing is that these were not inner-city kids, seething with pent-up rage. This gang is from affluent Palos Verdes and their gang attire is not from Pic ‘N’ Save.

I took the “skinhead” up on his challenge to call, but spoke with his father. He said he was unaware that his 18-year-old son belonged to this gang and was embarrassed by his behavior. Like many busy parents, he seemed to have little knowledge of what his son does away from home.

It’s time that we adults wake up. These aren’t harmless groups of kids--some of them were in their 20s. Somehow our passivity has given them the idea that it’s OK to terrorize others.

We’re being occupied by terrorists and they’re our own children.

MARILYN MILLER

Torrance