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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 13, 1991                   TAG: 9103130437
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TIME TO STOP HATING/ FORGETS BOYFRIEND'S COLOR TILL PUBLIC STARES BEGIN

I MOVED to Roanoke in 1985, and until coming to the valley had never in my life heard someone address another as a "nigger." I had never seen the KKK or even heard that much about them.

While I lived in Northern Virginia, my best friend was black. That never changed my mind about loving her like a sister. Color never entered the picture, and that's the way it should be.

I have had first-hand experience with racism here. I am a college freshman planning to get my master's in social work. My boyfriend is a senior in high school, planning to attend a four-year college and study medicine. We are both from good, middle-class homes with supportive families.

Everything seems normal, correct? Well, my boyfriend is black and I am white.

I am with him because of the person he is and the way he treats me. The only time I notice that he is black and I am white is when it is slapped in my face. When going out to dinner or the mall or anywhere else, the whispers and stares begin. I don't feel I need anyone's approval to live my life.

I believe it is time to stop hating and start caring. The majority of Roanokers seem to be ignorant. The consolidation issue only supports my point. I guess asking the narrow-minded to open their horizons isn't possible. If this type of ignorance and hatred keeps up, this city will go nowhere. HEATHER BOWEN ROANOKE

by CNB