Double Standard for the Slick ‘50s

* Re “The Slick ‘50s Case: A Model of Justice,” Dana Parsons’ Feb. 25 column:

Unfortunately, the “model of justice” applies only to whites.

Had these young men been black or Hispanic, the outcome would have been a model of injustice.

LIONEL DE LEON

Garden Grove

* I always enjoy Dana Parsons’ columns, especially since he breaks long-winded issues into simple logic.

However, his assertion that justice prevailed over the Slick ‘50s ruling is dead wrong.

The “gang enhancement” that the judge threw out is clear evidence that a double standard continues to exist between races.

I can guarantee you that if these Slick ‘50s kids were instead Latino and chose to dress with zoot suits and call themselves the Suave Pachucos, then the gang enhancement charge would not have been thrown out.

Equally, if a group of black youths sports baggy pants and loose-fitting shirts, congregates, listens to rap music and incorporates hand signals, they too would be looking at some gang charge.

The judge’s expedited ruling may have saved time and money, but the fact remains that the double standard continues to exist.

The mythological “even playing field” is far from being reached, especially in our justice system.

CESAR MADRID

Orange