Tragic Circumstances

* LaShanda Crozier (“Troubled Life Led to 3 Deaths,” Dec. 22) unjustly lost her job because of, and just after, losing a child; she lived in cramped, probably overpriced quarters with three other people, including her underemployed boyfriend; she felt shame at not being able to meet her financial obligations. Who wouldn’t be desperately depressed?

Yet those quoted in the article and the tone of the article itself blame Crozier because of her “unstable” mental state. How can anyone find the causes of this Dickensian tragedy mysterious? Those causes are the heartless greed of those who employ low-wage workers, the same greed in landlords, the failure of leaders in California to resolve the crisis in affordable housing and the failure of the health care industry, employers, the government and the public at large to understand and respond appropriately to the suffering of the mentally ill. Indeed, it is remarkable that we don’t see more such incidents.

Just how stalwart can we expect people in circumstances like Crozier’s to be?

JOHANNA RUBBA

San Luis Obispo