“Juvenile Hall Is No Joke
Dear Editor,
I thought your article “Juvenile Hall Is No Joke” was great because I was in there once for hanging around with the wrong people. I think that all of the people in there need to change their lives and work to have a good future.
Eduardo Medrano, Locke HS
Dear Editor,
Your article “Juvenile Hall Is No Joke” really touched me. It’s really sad to know one little accident could change your life forever, as it did for Frank, the 17-year old who accidentally killed his homeboy and is now in Juvenile Hall.
It is hard not to get caught up in the gang life, but this is an example of what could happen, and why you should do everything you can to keep out! Frank and all like him are in my prayers. Always keep your head up.
Amie Jolly, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
I’m sorry, but I feel no sympathy for Frank, the boy in Juvenile Hall. He did the crime, now he’s got to do the time. Frank should have thought about his girlfriend and his baby on the way before he broke the law. It is good though that he’s rehabilitated and plans to change his ways when he gets out.
Jason M. Renno, Chatsworth HS
Graffiti: work of art or ugly?
Dear Editor,
Your article about graffiti helped me to understand why some people tag. Before I ever read this article, I had very different thoughts on why graffiti was done. Well, I always did think graffiti was a masterpiece or a work of art but I always would think people felt like destroying someone else’s property. Basically that is the reason for many taggers but you helped me understand that there is more to it.
I used to live in South Central and I know what it’s like in an everyday struggle through life and all the bad influences in your neighborhood. But you choose how you want to be and you risk your life even more by belonging to a crew or a gang.
Evelyn Moreno, Gage Middle School
Dear Editor,
I have an opinion about your article on graffiti. It is not right to hit up on the streets because it looks nasty. We see graffiti everywhere we go. It’s not worth getting caught by the police.
Armando Gonzalez, Locke HS
Thoughts on Racism
Dear Editor,
The article “Going to An Integrated School Made Me More Open-Minded” is a fine example of the truth. Often some people think that all Latinos, African Americans and people from other ethnic groups are ignorant.
They should get a chance to know us before they build any kind of perception of us. They might just be surprised in the same way the author of this article was. Claudia Arevalo, Locke HS
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the article “Are You Racist?” In the article I checked off 10 of 13 statements which I believed were true. There are different stereotypes. Everybody has his/her own stereotypes for the different races and cultures.
My stereotype for a Mexican is based on what I observe every day when I walk home from my bus stop. I am accompanied by 35 to 40-year-old men who are dirty, trashy, smelly, and most of all rude, who whistle and wail at me out of their gardening vans or burgundy Cadillacs.
I have lived in the same house since I was seven years old; and from my own perspective and experiences I, along with my ex-boyfriend and my dad have become racist towards Mexicans. I have gone through some hard times with some very rude Mexicans who disrespect me openly every day.
Anonymous, 17, Chatsworth HS
Editor’s Note: The preceding letter arrived with a note attached from Chatsworth High instructor Joyce England verifying its authenticity.
Why do cops hassle youth?
Dear Editor,
I wanted to comment on the article “Give Cops A Break.” I know it seems cool for teenagers to hate cops but that’s not why I don’t like them. I’ve talked to the police at school. I haven’t met one that I liked or who didn’t hassle me for the lamest reasons.
Adults always try to convince us that cops are good people trying to protect us. But how am I supposed to believe that when my friends get jumped often, right in front of school and there’s not a cop in sight? But the minute I’m hanging out with my friends in front of a theater waiting for the movie to start, security is all over us for the stupidest reasons. I guess they get bored not protecting people and fill their time by scaring kids.
So until I get a good enough reason to like them, I’ll still snicker and swear every time a cop car goes by.
Tiffany Williams, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
The article “Give Cops A Break” is interesting. Cops might hassle the wrong people sometimes, but if they weren’t suspicious, people would get away with crime.
John Mort, Chatsworth HS
So Long, Biggie Smalls
Dear Editor,
Your article “Biggie the World Is Smaller Without You” may have touched many but didn’t leave a spot of sympathy on me. For her to even try to compare him to great leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., is elevating him to a level he doesn’t deserve or would ever achieve.
Monet Stubbs, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
I didn’t know Biggie personally, but his music was good. It’s sad for any young black man to die in such a horrible way. I think he was a hard working young man and had a lot more to live for. Not only did we lose a good rapper, we lost a husband, father, son and a friend.
Tenesha Chatman, Locke HS
More Letters, please
Dear Editor,
Sometimes the letter you publish make for the liveliest reading in your newspaper. I wish you would increase the space allotted to Letters to the Editor.
When my students see their letters in your paper, they gain such a sense of satisfaction from seeing their names and ideas in print.
Joyce England, Chatsworth HS
My neighbors may be wealthy, but I’m no rich snob
Dear Editor,
I have just read “I go to Beverly Hills High, and I’m just a normal teen” by Judith Shophet and thought that it is so totally true.
I live in a suburb of Houston, Texas that somewhat resembles Beverly Hills. My community, referred to as First Colony, has tree-lined boulevards, million dollar homes, cool teens dressed in the seasons best, luxury cars, etc. My school, Clements High, is known as one of the best schools in the nation. Hundreds of expensive cars roll into the student parking lot (none that I can afford), the majority of the student body dress in what’s hip, and I have heard a lot of beepers and cell phones around here as well. I do have a cell phone and I love fashion (and often break myself buying expensive clothes to fit in) but I am by no means rich. Me and my mom struggle to pay the rent every month for our tiny penthouse apartment. It’s retarded how people stereotype me as being rich just because I go to Clements. I tell people I live in First Colony and worry about their reaction.
I’m just trying to say that I know what you are going through, although we haven’t had any movies or sitcoms take place here.
Jason Clement via e-mail [email protected]
To the editor:
I am a 15-year-old female from a city called Beverly, Massachusetts. Beverly Hills was named after my city. I stumbled upon your web site while I was looking to read some articles on Troop Beverly Hills [my favorite movie]. I read an article about Beverly Hills High By Judith Shophet and found it interesting to read. I live in a wealthy part of Beverly called Centerville. There’s BMWs, Mercedeses, Lexus’s—the whole deal. I’m not rich. I’m just living in a middle class family. Whenever I make a new friend and tell them where I live, they instantly start to judge me. I just want to let you know that I really enjoyed reading your article and I can relate.
Sara Quirion via email [email protected].”