More to Backpacks Than Fashion Trends

Re “Pack Mentality” (Dec. 10): My daughter attends school at Mark Twain Junior High in Venice, and she happens to be one of those “two-legged creatures with the posterior humps.” But in her case, the backpack has very little to do with any fashion trends.

The situation is as follows: Whenever the police conduct surprise metal-detector sweeps at the school, the little darlings run and stash their weaponry in their lockers.

The ACLU in its infinite wisdom has deemed it a violation of civil rights to search the lockers, even in the case of known gang members, so the school authorities have responded by prohibiting the use of all lockers.

Although it pains me to see my daughter struggling with the weight of the backpack, I must applaud their decision. It is only a matter or survival.

ARNIE VELAZQUEZ

Venice