RACIAL HARMONY SHOULD BE PROMOTED

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

DATE: SATURDAY, January 16, 1993                   TAG: 9301180348
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
RACIAL HARMONY SHOULD BE PROMOTED
IN A TIME when racism and hatred are on the uprise, I am disturbed about several things that I have noticed lately in the Roanoke Valley.
The "Def Comedy Jam," a show that is a huge success on HBO, comes to the Roanoke Civic Center and it doesn't even get a review. If it had been a country-and-western star or a rock concert, something would have been said, even if it were negative.
Steve Pannell, who started his boxing career right here in the valley and who, as a pro, has an 11 and 0 record, is hardly ever mentioned.
Then there is the recent appointment of Mr. Sinkler to Salem city schools, and the main emphasis is put on his color. Why can't they just say that they appointed a man? Joel Schlanger of the city of Roanoke recently resigned, and not once did I hear that he was a white man, just a man who did wrong and was caught.
It seems, with all the violence and hatred being noted every day, that the Roanoke Times & World-News would do more to help promote the good. It is said that racism and hatred are taught, so please help have a positive impact on this crucial problem that still exists in this country today. KELVIN EDWARDS ROANOKE

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB