Letters: Jul. 4, 1983

L.A.'s Immigrants

To the Editors:

Your article "Los Angeles: America's Uneasy New Melting Pot" [June 13] seems to be concerned more with myth than with fact. Hispanics are not a sleeping giant, as the media like to portray us. We are intelligent, hard-working people who seek to advance through cooperation, not through intimidation. If we are indeed giants, it is in our will to succeed. We are giants in our humanity, giants in our love for our country and our commitment to the culture that binds us all.

Esteban E. Torres U.S. Representative, 34th District, Calif. Washington, D.C.

America is blessed by these immigrants. We can learn so much from them. My second-grade class this year has children from Jordan, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Cuba, the Philippines, Korea, Thailand and Lebanon; I also have Irish and Polish and English Americans, a first-generation Italian and a child from Sri Lanka. We all speak English. I tell them, "Keep your language and your customs, but learn American ways. You are the peacemakers of tomorrow and will build the bridge to better world understanding."

Lois Kingsbury La Habra, Calif.

As an American citizen, but first and last a Korean, I felt your article gave an extremely negative view of the Korean people. You quote a sociologist as saying that the Japanese regard Koreans as "Mortimer Snerds." Well, these assumed "superior Asians" have much to learn before making ignorant, prejudicial generalizations about Koreans.

Ho Joung Ha Lafayette Hill, Pa.

The Korean American Coalition feels that your article accentuated the negative aspects of immigration while ignoring numerous positive contributions made by recent immigrants. Koreans have already improved Los Angeles by transforming a previously deteriorating neighborhood into a vibrant area called Koreatown. Most of the Korean immigrants are highly educated and skilled and are ready and willing to make contributions to this country. In fact, more than 60% of the Koreans who came here in the past ten years have at least four years of college.

Tong Soo Chung President, Korean American Coalition Los Angeles

It is sad that various immigrant groups, having experienced racial and ethnic discrimination, cling to their traditional prejudices in order to maintain their identity. While ethnic pride and cultural heritage are to be encouraged, the downgrading of other minorities is beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior. America has grown by accepting and appreciating the gifts and contributions of all our minorities and ethnic groups.

(The Rev.) Douglas E. Anders Marseilles, Ill.

Bilingualism

Your Essay "Against a Confusion of Tongues" [June 13] should be posted in schools that have bilingual programs. The first priority of every immigrant should be to learn the language of the adopted country. Placing non-English-speaking students in separate classes merely prolongs the painful road of integration. Minorities will be second-class citizens as long as they insist on isolating themselves.

Ana-Maria Ortiz Goldens Bridge, N. Y.