And our schools, which once provided the common place where children learned how to become socialized and live and play with one another, are now separating families by socio-economic status. We are rapidly losing our sense of community and replacing it with individualism and materialism. Wars once rallied national patriotism and common sacrifice; now, those young people fighting and their families make the only sacrifices.

If our society is to continue to thrive, we must reinvest in those institutions that promote the common values and bring its people together: our schools, families and religions. It is there where we can renew the things that bind us together and where we all can work for the common good. Our challenge is to keep pace with change while holding on to our values.

Where are our Riverside and Jefferson schools when we need them the most?

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net