Racism and segregation prevalent even in our small town
Dear Editor,
Trying to make literal meaning out of our Constitution/Bill of rights. But have we truly created such an equal opportunity for all citizens of this nation? No. Under the law all people are created equal, but in reality our country is more segregated than ever creating huge pockets of oppression based upon race, socioeconomic status and legal status (citizenship status).
At first it is hard to see this oppression and racism at work here in our small town, but upon closer examination lines can be clearly drawn between whites and people of any color. These lines of segregation are not being hidden from us; they are simply not recognized as a form of segregation. Upon driving down any street in Gilroy, there is a clear visual representation of the demographics of the street; there are either Caucasian Americans or Mexican Americans inhabiting the street, but rarely both on an equal scale. It is easy to say this is due to the socioeconomic status of the family, and it is, but why is it that the socioeconomic status so clearly correlates with race?
It is our duty as a community to join together and ensure that every child is receiving the same education to empower them in their life’s journey. By giving an education to someone, you are giving the power to redefine equality and segregation. They no longer have to live segregated by race, they too can earn a good job and buy their way out of segregation and into education.
Melanie Burke, Gilroy
United States will forever be haunted by Bush presidency
Dear Editor,
Although the news media can attempt to alter what we remember about the Bush administration you can’t actually change the past. What happened happened and the results of what Bush did are still with us. The 16 trillion dollar debt is still here. The wealth transfer from the middle class to the rich are still here. All the people who dies in Iraq and Afghanistan are still dead. With the help of big media the memory might fade but the facts are still the same. One thing that I think we can agree on. When it come to Bush – we shall forever be in his debt.
I’m Marc Perkel.
Mark Perkel, Gilroy
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars deserve credit for services
Dear Editor,
I was asked by members of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to respond to comments made by Mr. Gabe Perez in your recent article regarding the Veterans Memorial Building and South Clara Valley Memorial District, “Vet Hall Shut?”
Mr. Perez claims that “we serve disabled veterans, we provide housing, we help people with cancer, send kids to Washington DC and Japan, we host community events, we help family members of veterans, we cook breakfasts, we do memorials.” He claims that the Boy Scouts use the building, not true. Mr. Perez is misinformed because the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District (SSCVMD) does not provide any of these benefits nor hold any of these events. These events take place because of the generosity of the American Legion Post #217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #6309 who sponsor them and underwrite the entire costs. These two organizations deserve the credit and rightly so, not the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District.
I encourage your readers and members of the community to visit the Grand Jury website and the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) website and judge for themselves the lack leadership we have had to endure.
Ray Sanchez, Member, Board of Directors, South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District
