Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low around 50F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..
Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low around 50F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated: April 11, 2026 @ 10:06 pm
Editor,
I write in response to the recent letter criticizing Héctor Camacho. This is not a defense of any one individual, but a reminder that supporting young people in the juvenile justice system requires far more than attendance at meetings or conferences.
As someone who was incarcerated during World War II because of my ancestry, I view this issue through lived experience. Conversations about justice must center those directly impacted, not be defined solely by those observing from a distance. Too often, observation is mistaken for engagement, overlooking the sustained work required to build trust and create meaningful and lasting change.
The data is clear: Young people of color are disproportionately represented in foster care, probation and juvenile hall. This reflects long-standing systemic inequities, not individual failure. Addressing it requires consistent effort, relationship-building, and trust — not just visible presence in formal spaces.
The question is not who attends what meeting, but who is doing the work of genuinely supporting young people, strengthening communities, and helping move systems forward. Héctor Camacho’s work with marginalized youth began well before his current title. For decades, he has worked alongside educators, community partners and families to improve outcomes for vulnerable youth directly in classrooms and school communities.
At the same time, no single person represents this effort, or should they. Much of the work happens daily, out of public view, and deserves recognition with accuracy, humility and a shared commitment to getting this right for our children.
Karyl Matsumoto
South San Francisco
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(1) comment
Karyl - but what are the results? "For decades, he has worked alongside educators, community partners and families to improve outcomes for vulnerable youth directly in classrooms and school communities." By all indications, the rest of the student body is negatively affected by those activities. Too much emphasis on so-called under represented students is coddling them instead of striving to improve themselves and seek higher goals. I worked with a teacher at the Juvi Hall who admitted that the students were not challenged enough and their progression was rubber stamped. That is what Camacho stands for, just crank them through the system and give them a useless high school diploma.
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