Latinos’ Views of Rampart Scandal

In “The Power of Forgetting” (Opinion, April 2), I’d say that Gregory Rodriguez got it half right when he suggested that Latinos are conspicuously silent over the Rampart police scandal. Yes, “The fact that both victim and victimizer at the core of Rampart have Spanish surnames is one explanation.” The other obvious one, going well beyond his recitation of minority power politics during our historical era, is that many of the victims of police brutality are the same people who terrorize Latino (and African American) neighborhoods. These gangbangers are the ones who hold sway over the innocent, hard-working citizens.

While it may be true that “Latinos bring a more syncretic sense of race and culture to their American minority experience,” doesn’t it occur to Rodriguez that Latinos, just like everybody else, simply hate thugs? These Americans don’t forget. They remember--all too well.

JEFFREY NEGRETE

Gardena

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At a recent conference at Scripps College in Claremont, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante spoke about the need for Latinos to step outside the box and address issues that include all of society and not just Latinos. The problem of the Rampart Division is not a Latino issue but a problem that affects all of society. Latino elected officials and the community understand that government will solve the problem of police misconduct, which affects all of society.

Mario Soares (former president of Portugal) reminded participants that illegal immigration and a noninclusive policy for immigrants creates a lower standard of employment and living standard; consequently, poor education, poverty, crime and fear to speak out against injustices prevail. Unconditional amnesty for all immigrants can make immigrants an integral part of our society.

JOHN MENDOZA

Pomona