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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991                   TAG: 9103140403
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ATTITUDES PERSIST/ IN THE SOUTH, EMPHASIS

I WAS RAISED in the Midwest, and while I'm sure there were many racists around me, I had an African-American teacher in the first grade, and African-American, hispanic, Asian and Caucasian students to play and work with in school from Day 1.

I never heard anyone talking about the Civil War in any hallowed way; never heard anyone called Rebels or Yankees; never felt that color of skin meant anything other than color of skin.

I moved South in 1968 and have lived in Virginia and North Carolina since. I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't seen or heard some reminder of division between races, religions, national or regional origins.

The emphasis seems to be on how we are different, not how we are alike. For those who have lived long enough to remember the most blatant of race divisions - school segregation, separate water fountains, etc. - it must seem that things have come so far. I remain astounded that these attitudes persist.

Much of what I see is subtle and disguised racism, but I hate the dishonesty of that almost worse than blatant segregation. I have heard many people of all walks and all races, even those in powerful positions, tell racist jokes and anecdotes and express heartfelt racist attitudes. I can't and won't get used to it.

I pray that I can raise my children, that we can raise all our children to rise above this wrongheadedness, and see each other one day as the equals we were made to be, as supported by our Constitution, Bill of Rights and religious faiths. DANIEL J. FREYBERG MONETA

by CNB