DEAR ABBY: I'm a junior in high school, and a girl I was acquainted with was killed in a car crash. The accident was the result of bad road conditions, and she wasn't wearing her seatbelt. The driver of the car survived.
Because this girl had a reputation for being a troublemaker -- skipping classes, getting pregnant -- some adults here think she got what she deserved. I think it's insensitive to say such things while her parents are mourning the loss of their daughter. She may not have been the nicest person, but I feel sad for her parents and the baby she left behind.
How do I respond to these negative comments? -- SYMPATHETIC TEEN, PROSSER, WASH.
DEAR SYMPATHETIC TEEN: I think you said it very well in your letter. That girl's parents are mourning the loss of their daughter, and this is a tragedy not only for them, but also for the baby who lost its mother. Yes, she made mistakes but none of them warranted the death penalty.