Culture Clashes in Minority Neighborhoods

* Re “The Culture Clash in South-Central L.A.,” Commentary, May 29: As a Mexican immigrant from a large family, I can only imagine what Terry Anderson would think if my noisy clan moved into his formerly all-black neighborhood in South-Central Los Angeles.

Having spent most of my life in poor to lower-middle-class Latino-dominant neighborhoods, I have never panicked when African Americans moved near, as they did when I lived near downtown or as they are doing now in my current neighborhood in Highland Park.

My family and I have never resorted to blaming the newcomer for our misfortunes--of which there are plenty--or seen our black neighbors as negative stereotypes. Instead, we have always chosen to go beyond whatever barriers existed between us and befriended our neighbors.

If Anderson had chosen the same route, perhaps he would not have the temerity to blame Latino immigrants for the problems of the African American community, and would begin searching for solutions to problems where they inevitably lie: in ourselves.

YOLANDA CHAVEZ

Los Angeles*

* Anderson, of the Diversity Coalition for an Immigration Moratorium, says that the only way to drastically reduce the number of immigrants is through an immigration moratorium. He is wrong.

The way to reduce immigration is total compliance with and enforcement of existing laws prohibiting employment of illegal immigrants. We must not hire illegals to mow our lawns, etc. We must be willing to pay higher prices for vegetables, etc.

HANK GARRETSON

Littlerock*

* It seems funny to me that Anderson would use inflammatory and negative stereotypes of Latino immigrants and then have the audacity to claim that this issue has nothing to do with race. Lest we forget, the same tactics were employed to discourage hard-working black families from moving into white neighborhoods 30 years ago and continue today. I do not believe Anderson is a racist; however, if he plans to use illegal immigrants as a scapegoat for the social and economic ills that plague the black residents of South-Central L.A., he is sadly misinformed or unaware of the facts and history surrounding the area.

As a black man, I recognize that there is a big problem concerning unemployment among black youth. But this has been an ongoing problem in our community for many years now and has little, if anything, to do with illegal immigrants. The same can be said in regard to the education of our children.

Illegal immigration is a big problem that has everything to do with economics--not culture. It is important for everyone, especially blacks, to resist allowing our prejudices to blind us. As a member of the black community, I feel that it’s important for us to clean up our own “culture” first before blaming others. History has shown us that we will never solve anything that way.

STUART THOMPSON

North Hollywood