Possible Solutions for a Culture at Risk

Duke University Professor of Religion and Culture C. Eric Lincoln seems to be saying that it is the responsibility of other Americans to rescue the "lost generation" of black youth. After working with Planned Parenthood for 30 years, I feel the overall situation will not change much as long as there are so many young black females becoming mothers and being forced to drop out of school as a result.Faye Wattleton, president of Planned Parenthood, says that blacks have become "reproductive victims" like people in the third world. Because the whole area of reproductive behavior can be a minefield, the tendency is to avoid talking about it and continue proposing the same old, ineffective programs. Until the fateful cycle of "children having children" is broken, nothing will work. Charles R. Ross, Corvallis, Ore. Letters are welcome. Only a selection can be published, subject to condensation, and none acknowledged. Please address them to "Readers Write," One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115.