LISTEN

As I read the letter to the editor from the 11-year-old on July 29 ('Save
Our Neighborhood'), my heart was stirred. She expressed her sadness over
lives lost because of drugs in her neighborhood. She wished the city would
rebuild or demolish it - to save lives.

I thought of our country. America has sent troops to Iraq for the same
purpse, to demolish and rebuild. The yearning this time, however, is
coming from the heart of an 11-year-old child in our own back yard. I
believe this child speaks for many other children.

Our troops are being asked to go to Liberia to help liberate the
people there. Right here, right now, we are hearing a cry for help.
The girl describes in detail what goes on. The drug dealers are our
terrorists.

A child living in a drug-infested neighborhood is so fearful that she
and her family go to the mall on weekends and stay there all day. The
reason she gives, 'There is no telling what might happen,' deserves
some solutions and help.

Speaking of no child left behind, here's one who may be. She had the
courage to come forward and speak for others. What can we do? Anything
except ignore her plea.

Jessie Meadows Crockett

Winston-Salem.