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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 5, 1990                   TAG: 9007050193
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

STOP AVOIDING BLACK RESPONSIBILITY

ROANOKE police investigated the recent racial attacks around 11th Street and stated they had reason to believe the incidents were racial. Our honorable mayor, Noel Taylor, who was not on the scene and had only the same evidence as the Police Department, declared the attacks on white passersby were not racial.

This city has had to deal with two 16-year-old blacks fighting with guns at the local mall. Evangeline Jeffrey, of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, announced this was not a "black problem." It seems there is always a surplus of black politicians ready to stand up and defend the action of blacks no matter how outrageous they may be.

The real issue on 11th Street is not the police, or whether they be black or white. The police would not be in the area if not given ample reason to be. We are all obligated to act like responsible adults, including the black community. When I was the age of most of these black teen-agers, my parents were in control, and I was taught to be a responsible part of society, not a burden to it.

In this country, blacks kill more blacks than any other race, and the shootings have started on 11th Street. It is time our honorable mayor, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Jeffrey and Carl Tinsley (former president of NAACP) stopped looking for ways to avoid the issue of black responsibility in this situation. I would ask black parents at the times of night these situations have occurred why are your children on the streets?

WILLIAM M. TOWERS\ ROANOKE

by CNB