Mexican American Citizenship Debate

Regarding the May 3 Platform, “Citizenship Debate: ‘I Will Never Stop Being Mexican,’ ” I have two comments:

To Ruben Martinez: California was a province of Mexico from 1822 to 1848. Before that, Spain considered the territory its land to colonize, although it was very sparsely settled. There was also a Russian presence. The people who lived in the territory had precarious ties to Mexico and considered themselves Californios.

Granted, some of the Americans and Europeans who came to California in the mid-19th Century were not at all nice to the Californios they found here. But should this part of America’s, California’s and Mexico’s history be carried with resentment and hatred in the hearts of the people of Mexican descent who live here now? Isn’t that really a waste of time and emotion? The injustices felt now should be dealt with in the context of now, not in those 26 years of history that ended 147 years ago. Remember every adult citizen can vote and all of us share in the making of our country. To everyone else [who appeared in that column]: I think that those people who are becoming citizens to vote so they can protect their own interests will find that a citizen’s duty becomes much broader than that. They will find themselves called on to consider issues that concern others than themselves.

I have been voting for 30 years and feel the exercise has indeed broadened my outlook and perspective on life. It is a good thing. I welcome these new citizens and pray that they will all feel in their hearts the same as Irene Wongpec of Eagle Rock, who said that she owes her respects to the American flag. I take this to mean an acknowledgment of herself as an American with a responsibility for making this country as good as it can possibly be in all respects, for all citizens, and not waiting for the “Yankees” to do it.

RUTH MARION

Los Angeles