New Chicano Student Rebels

Your discussion of the Chicano student movement (“A New Generation of Rebels,” Nov. 20) was a fascinating compilation of the facts surrounding this volatile issue.

As a student at Fullerton College, I have become all too familiar with the harmful side effects this increasingly extremist movement can produce.

After all, its leaders have proven that they are not beyond trespassing, vandalism or even violence to make their point.

The statement by Carlos Munoz that there exist “multitudes of Americas” is a fine example of the separatism and division that this movement espouses. Such an attitude is a stark departure from the virtuous struggle for equality undertaken in the 1960s.

The Times would be wise to follow up this piece with an expose on the distrust, division and hate that this movement produces.

TODD CONGER

Redondo Beach

* As a Latino and a law student, I feel I should express my opinion about something that takes away much of the rightfulness of the arguments presented by the young college students and their professors who back in the ‘60s and ‘70s were also activists for change in a system that many times ignored our concerns as Latinos.

As much as I agree with the majority of the positions taken by the sons and daughters of ‘60s protesters who today keep up the fight, I couldn’t help but be turned off by the picture of UC Berkeley professor Carlos Munoz, who was quoted in the article. Intentionally, I’m sure, he stands in front of a portrait of that Argentine myth, the “legendary” Ernesto (Che) Guevara.

Munoz should perhaps refresh his knowledge of Guevara, who was a ruthless killer and a despot, characteristics exhibited during his years as one of the leaders of the Cuban revolution. Guevara was known to go into rages whenever he couldn’t get his way, and pity the fools who would stand in his violent path. On a moral level, he was on equal footing with Fidel Castro, the discredited dictator, who for 35 years has violated every right of the Cuban people.

ALEXIS I. TORRES

North Hollywood

* Re “We’re Chicanos--Not Latinos or Hispanics” by Leo Guerra Tezcatlipoca, Voices, Nov. 22:

I disagree with Guerra that the words Hispanic or Latino rob me of my heritage. These are just as generic as Asian , Anglo , Scandinavian, etc. I am proud to be an American of Mexican descent. I know my family, the area they are from, their customs and their traditions. No one in the media, government or business can take this away from me because it is part of the fabric of my own self-esteem and positive self-image. There isn’t a rush of sudden respect simply because I’m referred to as Mexicana rather than Latina. Empowerment comes in part from my ancestry, but it also comes from the life I lead and the goals I set.

This is true for people of all races. Rather than focus on terminology, let’s focus on what is truly important--the cohesiveness of a multicultural society.

KIM CANALES

Toluca Lake