Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 13, 1991 TAG: 9103130434
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I am a white female and my fiance is black. We both worked at the same company in Roanoke, where we met. The office personnel and our co-workers accepted our "acquaintance" as long as it was work-related.
After they learned that we had a relationship outside the office, the harassment started. He was fired first, allegedly due to work-related incidents. But through close friends he was told it was because of his relationship with a white woman.
I was not fired at this point because I was a single mother and the company felt that I needed my job. Our relationship continued and so did the harassment: phone calls, my being followed after work, etc. I was then fired, allegedly due to work-related incidents. The same friends who accepted our relationship told me other co-workers believed it "wrong and improper" for a white woman and a black man to have a relationship.
I now work for a company that accepts our relationship, and we have made some wonderful friends. My fiance, on the other hand, works for a company that believes our relationship is wrong, but does not harass us. He still battles other issues of racism that are work-related as regards advancement and learning new skills. His co-workers and personnel believe that in order to advance, you need to be "one of the good ole boys."
We have never mentioned racism and feel that you should look at the person and not at color. My fiance was placed on standby for active duty after being temporarily retired for three years. He accepts his responsibilities to serve in the armed forces to fight for freedom for all regardless of race. If he had to go, I would pray for his safe return to a country that is proud of him as an American and does not judge him by his color. I pray that he be allowed the rights and opportunities that are meant for all. CAROL DUDLEY ROANOKE
by CNB