The Battleground in Our Backyard

Re “Required: School Prayer,” Column One, Dec. 14: I am a resident of South Central Los Angeles and my heart cried upon reading the story of Micah Grant, a senior at Washington Preparatory High School. While residing in this area for almost four years, the number of lives lost has been astounding, the pain never subsides. Our African American and Latino children are not even given the opportunity to live a life free of pain and fear. How can one learn in this environment of hostility? The children who die trying to receive a real education are laid to rest, never recognized for their bravery. We have in our neighborhood true heroes who endure life and possible death because of their circumstances, trying to obtain just a glimpse of freedom. We are truly the forgotten generation.

The individuals who have made it out of the gang-infested neighborhoods and accomplished what they feel is success almost never come back. The youth of our neighborhoods graduate uneducated and with a pain in their hearts at a graduation ceremony that should be the happiest day of their lives, but almost always ends in tears for the loved ones who died on the streets. It is the most vicious cycle, and we do not have to travel to Iraq to witness this war; it is all too real right here in our own neighborhoods.

Tina R. Watts

Los Angeles

*

It is beyond obscene that any child in the U.S. should have to experience a daily fight for survival to obtain an education. This story, with its references to wearing protective clothing (i.e. Micah not wearing certain colors, no baseball caps), avoiding potential ambushes to and from school and stationing armed guards on campus could easily be about a Marine’s tour of duty in Iraq. With this country’s involvement in Iraq, I cried for the parents of children going off to war, having no control over their child’s destiny, not knowing if they’d see their child again. My son recently graduated from UCLA and is studying for his master’s degree and teaching certificate. He plans to teach math to inner-city high school students. Now I fear for my own child’s safety as a teacher just as much as the parent of a soldier leaving for Iraq.

Carol Foster

Burbank

*

Your story on Micah Grant was inspiring. It is testimony for the encouragement of prayer in school, as well in life. God will direct Micah to the right college and an exceptional career. Our children need the hope derived from prayer, which is real and powerful.

W. Gardner Barker

San Marino