Our cover story on Santa Cruz lynching prompts questions about how much has changed
Lessons Learned?
Re: “Under the Bridge” (Cover, Nov. 13): The virulent hatred of poor people and people of color, while no longer resulting in lynching from Santa Cruz County bridges, is still apparent, even in Santa Cruz.
We don’t have to look any further than our own local radio station, KSCO. This station has, for years, broadcast bombast from a variety of folks who spew this hatred for a living, and make KSCO a nice profit.
The Sentinel's attitudes have changed, at least somewhat, during the intervening years since 1877, but the haters of the poor, people of color and immigrants in general continue to post their hatred online to Sentinel articles and editorials.
I am not advocating any form of censorship. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the bedrock of our nation. I am advocating fellow community members be aware that this form of hatred is alive and festering among a decided minority of our population. What can we, as individuals do?
Well, as one member of the SCCS board of trustees, speaking only for myself, I can work to make sure our schools' policies reflect, respect and celebrate the diversity of our community. I can work to make sure that our SCCS adult education program is fully funded, to provide a ladder of opportunity to the poorest in our community for an expanded education that brings more social and economic opportunity. And I would remind you that those motions for spending require at least four votes. I am only one vote.
I want to remind the readers that turf warfare is still alive, and it infests the gang mentality, still apparent on a regular basis in our county. And I don’t refer here to just Norteños and Sureños, I also refer to the movers and shakers in the upper echelons of the banking and finance community in our county, who have the power to bring economic opportunity to all parts of the Santa Cruz community, and the county in general. Latinos, like myself, overwhelmingly reject turf warfare and its resulting violence, contrary to what a surprisingly large group in this community still stubbornly believe.
As far as the McPherson family is concerned, I am hopeful county supervisor Bruce McPherson is aware of his family's history, and will work for social and economic justice in his district.
Lynching can and should be portrayed as one of many elements of Santa Cruz's past, but learning from this enormous failure of our 19th century society means that we are not condemned to repeat it.
Steve Trujillo
Capitola
Give Back Santa Cruz
Re: “Pulling No Punches” (Cover, Sept. 25): Takers are the whole problem here and everywhere. Poor takers that think the world owes them, and are therefore entitled to take from the community. Rich takers that think that having made a lot of money makes them better than anyone else—it doesn't matter how much money one has or doesn't have. Self-absorbed people who act without being conscious of their effect on others are takers and are blowing it for everyone. Anyone who thinks that they deserve better or more than anyone else is (a) wrong, (b) stirring up resentment, disdain and animosity, and (c) pushing out the good people—hard working, honest, considerate, humble, conscientious good people who actually are of higher value to this or any community.
So please, please, please stop taking Santa Cruz. It doesn't belong to just you.
Nick Miller
Santa Cruz
