Editor’s Notebook -- Danette Goulet

Danette Goulet

It seems like we’re always talking about “the kids” and what’s best

for “the kids.”

Two weeks ago when a Filipino man was allegedly attacked by three

14-year-old boys wielding pipes and shouting racial slurs, the community

was understandably up in arms.

What was going on with our youth? Where were we failing them? Where

did they get these ideas and how do we better teach them tolerance and

humanity?

I was frankly unimpressed with the off-the-cuff answers from city and

school leaders. There was nothing wrong with their responses, but I was

looking for more. So I asked students.

And their answers impressed me.

I went to Edison High School and spoke to students about the attack

and how best to prevent such ignorant vile acts.

Their first reaction was devastating and a bit shocking to me. They

had no idea what I was talking about. They basically admitted that if it

wasn’t news that was on television between shows they weren’t likely to

know about it.

OK, I was probably the same way in high school. So I recapped briefly.

The news was not met with shock. They knew such things happened, although

they said they hadn’t seen it here, in Huntington Beach.

But then I asked “how do we stop this.” And slowly, one by one, hands

began to rise. Each idea shared sparked another from a classmate.

It needs to start with the parents, a child’s strongest influence,

said Rebecca Gayle.

You need to start at an early age, suggested another student, if you

always hear something from the time you’re young it’s easier to learn

than when you’re older.

Start a school atmosphere steeped in tolerance, said another. And they

should do classroom activities for very young children -- kindergartners,

added another, they didn’t do that for us.

We’re very influenced by the media, said Chase Rea, what we see and

watch.

And probably the most important comment to take away was made by Emily

Everroad -- those around us act as role models.

You may not realize that you are a role model. But your actions when

you are out in public -- at a store, the mall, a gas station -- are seen

by others. Be aware of who is around you and how they might interpret

what you say and do.

* DANETTE GOULET is the city editor. She can be reached at (714)

965-7170 or by e-mail at o7 danette.goulet@latimes.comf7 .