Henry Cejudo’s road to glory

Re “From humble beginnings, an American dream,” Column, Aug. 20

Henry Cejudo demonstrates that when individual initiative, grit and determination are applied, great things can be accomplished.

Imagine how this cherished moment could have easily been destroyed if we followed the race-baiting antics and dogma of some anti-immigration groups and other self-proclaimed protectors of the American way of life, who always seem to collectively place all immigrants (and especially those from Mexico) into a toxic bucket of thieves, terrorists, welfare cheats and drug dealers.

There is no evidence in Cejudo’s road to glory of taking anything from the United States. In the grand scheme, he has given more than he ever got back. To Cejudo I say, carpe diem and spend your $65,000 wisely. You are an American hero and world champion.

To his detractors and anti-immigration critics, I ask: What have you done lately to make the United States proud?

Victor Mendez

Norwalk

Thanks to The Times for putting Cejudo’s gold medal on the front page. Not so great was trumpeting the magnanimity of the United States when, to even the most casual observer, the story was about the triumph of grit, determination and personal talent against the odds stacked against him by a country and its institutions doing their darnedest to keep him out.

And we didn’t give him an education, Mr. Plaschke. He took it while we weren’t looking.

Allan Coie

South Pasadena

I don’t mean to put a damper on yet another love story to illegal aliens and their families courtesy of The Times, but your front-page story is cause for both pride and shame. Some may see him as a gold medalist, but a majority of Americans will always see him and his five siblings as anchor babies. Your coverage of this story only serves to highlight the unfairness to those waiting to enter the country by the proper, legal means.

Norman Dostal

Los Angeles