I recently read a “Letter to the Editor” in the Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA) that really bothered me. Sonoma County has had a string of gang related incidents, resulting in a public outcry to do something about the problem.

The following was printed by the Press Democrat on Dec 22, 2006:

Underlying factors

EDITOR: As someone who recently moved to Sonoma County after 15 years of incarceration for gang activities, I would like to make the following observation. By addressing the dialectical materialism (sic) in Sonoma County, which is the unequal distribution of opportunities for youth, we can correct the “gang problem.” The socio-economical factors in some of our neighborhoods have embedded poverty and disenfranchisement. If we sincerely want to prevent “gang problems,” then we need to address the underlying factors that exclude participation in our communities. These conditions leave a large segment feeling inadequate and helpless, resigned to a future the same as the one they inherited.

If young people in poverty were given opportunities to challenge their minds, many would make better choices. The real truth is that poverty is a direct result of reckless administration and total disregard for the development of all our population. When we invest millions of dollars toward incarceration and accept the socio-economic facts that cause poverty, we steal from our youth the very opportunities that would keep them out of prison.

We must eliminate those conditions that displace large segments of our society into the prison industrial complex. By doing so, we will raise a higher level of consciousness and social responsibility and empower those now systematically excluded.

Yaribu Malik Al-Din Damu
Rohnert Park

Everyone is of course, entitled to their opinion. But for some reason, this letter aggravated me. I decided to respond by writing my own “Letter to the Editor.” My letter was published on Dec 27, 2006. Here is what I had to say:

Blaming Others

EDITOR: This is in response to “Underlying factors” (letters, Friday) by Yaribu Malik Al-Din Damu. The writer asserts that the cause of gangs and gang violence in Sonoma County is the “unequal distribution of opportunities for youth.” Damu apparently doesn’t understand the difference between “opportunity” and “entitlement.” Nobody is entitled to a share of other people’s wealth or success. But everyone does have the opportunity to achieve these things for themselves. Poverty, disenfranchisement and socioeconomic status are no excuse for gang violence, property damage or criminal activities.

Youths in our community all have the opportunity to improve themselves through education, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Some may even argue that low-income students are offered even more opportunity in the form of scholarships and grants that middle and upper-income families do not qualify for. Blaming society for your woes serves no purpose and only reflects an unwillingness to accept responsibility for your own life.

Society is not an external entity that owes you or anyone else a thing. Society is what we as individuals do to contribute something positive to our communities. After 15 years of incarceration, what has Damu contributed to his community? It is much easier to blame others for our failures instead of working hard to empower ourselves.

Todd Eastman
Windsor

For reasons I am still unclear about, another reader took offense at my letter and responded with a letter of her own. The fact that someone else read my letter and felt compelled to respond is a good thing. It means I made someone out there think. Unfortunately, this writer took a more hostile approach than I think was necessary. But as I said, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here is what she wrote, published on Dec 29, 2006.

Gangs and poverty

EDITOR: This is in response to Todd Eastman’s letter “Blaming others.” How dare he say, “Society is not an external entity that owes you or anyone else a thing. Society is what we as individuals do to contribute something positive to our communities.” My American Heritage Dictionary Third Edition says, “Society: 1) Human beings collectively; 2) A group of persons with a common culture or way of life; 3) A group of people uniting in a common class; 4) The rich and fashionable social class; 5) Companionship; company.” Eastman seems to fall under Nos. 3 and 4.

Eastman has such a concept of gangs and poverty, why doesn’t he run for office and save the world? In the meantime, there are many who do understand that poverty and lack of opportunities do make up for many of the lost souls in our state prison system, and no one but Eastman seem to have the answers for all of it.

Teresa McConville
Santa Rosa

I found it interesting that the majority of her letter consisted of quoting me and her dictionary. Unfortunately, the Press Democrat allows one letter to the Editor in a 90 day period, so I can’t reply to her letter. If I could, I would tell Ms. McConville that I have worked as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I have dealt with everyone from the homeless to the extremely wealthy. I have had to wait for the police to clear a gang related crime scene before I could treat my patient. I think it is safe to say that in all likelihood, I have experienced and witnessed things in our society that she could never dream of.

Although I may certainly wish it, I definitely do not belong to the “rich and fashionable” social class. Nor do I believe (or ever said) that I have all the answers. As for running for office and saving the world – if it were possible, I would. Unfortunately, I dislike politics and do not support our bipartisan political system, making it difficult to run for office. But that is another story.