Student Activism

In his Feb. 23 commentary, Juan DeLara, son of farm worker immigrants, Pitzer College senior and Rhodes Scholar, skewers the social structure of the place that made his achievements possible. That is his right. But has it ever occurred to him how ironic it is that one with his good fortune should have such a jaundiced view of his world? Does it ever occur to him to feel grateful or fortunate that his parents crossed the border and headed north?

If they had not, he would really have something to complain about.

MANUEL H. RODRIGUEZ

Burbank

* As an activist during the Chicano student movement of the 1960s, I was inspired reading DeLara’s article on the growing activism of today’s youth, on various issues, specifically against Prop. 187 and the rollback of affirmative action. As a minority student in the ‘60s at Cal State L.A., I vividly remember our struggle for equal opportunities, which we now see eroding.

Thank you, Mr. DeLara, for the call to struggle to this current generation. Let not our hard-earned gains be lost for lack of activism. It is up to us--minorities, women and our supporters--to insure this does not happen.

GLORIA SANTILLAN

Alhambra