This letter is in response to the one-year anniversary of the death of
Raul Aguirre.
Our differences in our community need to be addressed now. Today I am
feeling sad, not because a Latino male was killed senselessly, but
because he was a young man who could have had a bright future. The fact
remains that we need to close the gap between the different cultures that
we have in our great city of Glendale.
The disturbing thing about this whole thing is that it has been often
written as a Armenian-Hispanic problem, yet this racial divide extends to
all cultures in our city.
My personal experience is filled with enlightenment toward the
Armenian culture. I have made my share of friends in the Armenian
community. Armenians come to this country for the same reason the
Pilgrims came here and for the same reason my grandparents did -- a
better life free of persecution whether it is religious or political.
So I am here as an Hispanic American to extend my hand to the Armenian
community. Meet me and get to know me. I'm OK. Really.
LOUIS P. GONZALEZ
Glendale
