Study on Race Relationships at High Schools

In regards to the July 29 article, “Study: Despite Tension, Students Like Racial Mix,” I have three objections:

The article attributed a comment to me saying that perhaps the limited-English-speaking students “don’t speak English well enough to understand any slurs directed at them.” What I said was that “one of the reasons for the disparity between English and non-English speakers in the survey could be due to differences in language.”

The subheading, “District committee examines findings amid growing friction between Asians and Latinos” smacks of journalistic sensationalism. In fact, there have been a number of positive developments which are moving inter-ethnic relations in a positive direction: the formation of a district-wide representative Human Relations Advisory Committee; the implementation of a “positive climate” policy to prevent and deal with hate-related conflicts, and classes to train student leaders in conflict mediation.

In addition, although funding will be utilized to develop conflict resolution models in the school district, it was the nonprofit Multi-Cultural Community Assn., and not the school district, which received a grant from Southern California Edison for such purposes.

JOSE CALDERON

Chair, Alhambra District Human

Relations Advisory Committee

Editor’s note: Reporter Richard Winton says his notes show that the actual quote from Calderon on the subject of students who do not speak English was: “The issue of language may play a role as these students may not understand remarks by other ethnic groups.”