Here’s my answer to Jane Barnes, who wrote (Voice, Feb. 3) that she is afraid that “if an earthquake disaster as recently happened in Japan were to took place in America, there would be much looting, much grabbing. . . .”
During the devastating Loma Prieta 7.1 earthquake in Northern California on Oct. 17, 1989, with 66 deaths, 3,000 injured and more than 110,000 homes and businesses destroyed, the people showed their mettle.
In Oakland, where the Nimitz freeway collapsed at West Grand Avenue, a predominantly black area, people of color and others representing a wide diversity of ethnic groups came together in a concerted effort to rescue the victims.
In fact, the situation prevailed throughout the City of Oakland and in San Francisco: people helping people. Further, there were “no riots, no `me-first’ attitudes.” I hope this helps set the record straight about Americans when disaster strikes.
