Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 25, 1990 TAG: 9006260052
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
It's the same old story, people always making excuses for their bad behavior. Young blacks say they have nothing to do. They have just as much to do as the white kids.
Then some try to blame it on the Police Department because they don't have more black officers. That is another lame excuse.
One youth said the police broke up their parties. He forgot to mention the parties lasted all night, with blaring music and damage to other people's property. The reason police break them up is that citizens call in and complain.
If the young people don't have anything to do, they might try getting a job. Very few people who work will be found on street corners at night.
I think Dave Pannell hit the nail on the head. Where are these kids' parents? Do they know where their children are, or do they care? If any of them were mine, I would be worried sick they would end up in jail or even dead.
The man who runs Tasty's says that because he is Jamaican, he is being discriminated against. I'm sure if he is running a good legitimate business, he has nothing to worry about.
How can Mayor Taylor say it is not racially motivated? Have any of the victims been black? I don't think so.
The bottom line is, people who hang around street corners all night and drink can only end up in trouble. MARGARET O'DALE ROANOKE
by CNB