Hate Crimes

* Re “Hate Crimes Figures Unchanged But Officials Concerned,” Sept. 3.

It breaks my heart when I read reports about these crimes taking place in the what was once the small town of Ventura, where I was born and grew up. Until I graduated high school in the class of ‘41, although we had a variety of races, I had never heard of racism.

It was then that my brothers, classmates, friends and all eligible men and boys were inducted into the military to fight for the victims of just what these white-power gangs are practicing in Ventura County and this country in general.

Don’t they have any knowledge of what World War II was about? Do they have any idea how many of our loved ones were killed in the effort, or how much fear and horror they experienced? Undoubtedly, some of their grandparents were among those who were either critically wounded or killed in action, and how would they feel about the behavior of the current generation? Was it all in vain?

I will surely hold the right thought, as I’m sure everyone will, for the efforts of law enforcement agencies and, especially, parents to redirect this behavior toward a more productive direction.

SHIRLEY SMITH SHARPE

Newbury Park