Prejudice against Latinos

This is in response to the letter published last week arguing for the deportation of a Peruvian immigrant [Letters, July 3]. The childish, ignorant remark in the first paragraph—written by this guy, Vladimir Rojas, with a Russian given name and Hispanic family name (who claims himself an American)—is totally biased.

If an immigrant deserves to be deported, regardless of their country of origin, the Canadian authorities should follow the law and deport that person. Anybody would agree on that point. What is unacceptable, to say the least, is to generalize about the uses and customs of nearly half a billion people who cover close to one sixth of the Earth’s surface. There are thousands of Latin Americans living around the world (Montreal is no exception) who do not wake up every day with the “sole purpose to do bad.” Saying that there are is more than ridiculous.

By writing that, this Rojas guy just shows his ignorance and the fact that after living many years in Latin America he couldn’t became a better and less prejudiced person.

» Horacio Anell

Sad kids, disposable world

I read Kristian Gravenor’s piece on kids of divorce [“Army of Sad Kids,” Kristian Perspective, June 19] and wanted to make a few comments.

I’m in agreement that the divorce rate is exceptionally high and mostly avoidable. I believe we live in a very individualistic, disposable society—the bigger, better, faster world. Jobs, homes and even relationships are easy to walk away from without questions as to the consequences. My generation (30ish) doesn’t feel the need to work for anything because something else will always come along.

However, this belief is not a reflection of reality. On top of increasing divorce rates it is also increasingly difficult to meet people and become involved in relationships. It is also difficult to feel safe in a relationship knowing we live in a disposable society and wondering when we will be cast aside or look for the next. Having children in this disposable society is even a greater risk because it is they who get caught in the middle. There is an overall lack of responsibility today, which, unfortunately, is taken out on kids. Children are now regarded as something to be time-shared and devoid of being affected by their parents’ actions.

Although I agree that it’s healthy for kids to see their parents argue, from a fair-fight position it can also have lasting negative effects. If there’s violence or verbal abuse within a family, this is something that children should be protected from. Exposing children to such abuse is just how the cycle of violence is propagated. In these instances I would prefer if parents split to at least give their kids a chance.

I bare the battle scars of parental divorce. But I am grateful. I’m glad that my father wasn’t in my life and that I was given the opportunity to grow in a more stable, semi-healthy, environment than what it would’ve been if my parents stayed together.

I feel one aspect was missing from the piece: the step between fighting and divorce. There is help for parents and families who are having difficulties—support groups, counselling, churches and many other community resources. However, I enjoyed the article and found it refreshing. I too would like to see people take responsibility in life and for their decisions and especially their children.

» Paula Lorimer

Transit woes

Transport 2000 deserved encouragement in its fight against the MUCTC’s second fare hike in six months [The Front, May 29].

The fact of the matter is that these constant fare increases are not at all merited, especially considering the service cutbacks. The bus frequency on many routes, as well as the frequency of the metro, has diminished over the last five years. Delays and breakdowns in metro service (not related to medical emergencies and suicide intervention) have also increased manifold; and they always seem to come at the most inopportune time. As if that were not enough, the escalators in several metro stations are almost always out of service, thereby making life extra hard for the elderly and those with babies in strollers.

It ought to be the goal of environmentalists to promote metro ridership as much as possible, and strive for the day when for every car user in the city there will be two metro users. With these fare increases, a number of poor people will find public transportation more inaccessible (and that is already their only mode of transportation). I already know a couple of people who live far from downtown and cannot afford a monthly or weekly pass; they buy tickets individually to commute and when out of pocket actually walk three or four kilometres downtown. Imagine having to do this in winter?

The city needs to increase parking fees, toll fees or car registration costs to further subsidise public transit and bring down the cost of the bus pass. Let the polluters pay.

» Manish Patwari

Correction:

In the June 26 story about the Out of the Basement workshop, Diegal Léger’s moniker should have read “Rawgged MC.”

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