
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 2, 1990                   TAG: 9007030361
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ALL SOCIAL VIOLENCE NEEDN'T BE `COLORIZED'

IN RESPONSE to the recent outbreaks of violence in the Roanoke area, I believe too much emphasis has been placed on racial factors. Why should we focus on issues like blacks vs. whites, low minority hiring of police officers, and youth entertainment when the real problem is noted in environmental and family upbringing?

Where are the parents of these teen-agers and young adults at 2 a.m.? Why does society blame outside factors for criminal behavior when kids aren't taught proper values at home and the importance of taking responsibility for their actions?

One can go to any store or restaurant in town and see job opportunities everywhere; however, these kids say they do not have anything to do at night? Let's be real - I seriously doubt that someone with a job would have the energy to stay up till 2 a.m. Money earned from jobs would allow trips to the movies, lakes, or even to amusement parks and tourist attractions in other parts of the state.

Roanoke doesn't offer specific places for teen-agers to go, but individuals wbo have tried to give them outlets for socializing have not been patronized by this age group or have had their outlets improperly designated as a "pool hall."

These teen-agers and young adults need role models - which develop at home - and to realize that we cannot continue to "colorize" all violent occurrences in society. Unless the adults of Roanoke wake up from their hibernation of social apathy and give these young adults guidance, they are going to continue to strike out at society by wielding baseball bats and throwing debris at passing motorists.

CHERYL HOLCOMB\ ROANOKE

by CNB