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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 5, 1993                   TAG: 9305050298
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LET'S TRY CIVIL RESPONSIBILITY

THE REACTION in the Rodney King case was very disturbing. I have no quarrel with the verdict. It seemed quite obvious that King's treatment could not be justified, but the jubilation expressed in the faces and gestures of the Rev. Cecil Murray (front page photo, April 18) and others is most inappropriate. Was he celebrating because justice was served or because he felt "we won one"? It would be interesting, and possibly very enlightening, to see his reaction to the verdict after the trial of the perpetrators of the unprovoked attack on Reginald Denny.

Rev. Murray should understand the effects of sin on our culture, and grief would be a more appropriate response to any guilty verdict. Too much emphasis is placed on winning little skirmishes on the road to racial harmony. Our attention should be focused on long-range solutions.

After decades of stress on the importance of "civil rights," we seem to be making little progress. Perhaps it's time to talk about "civil responsibility." A little pragmatism seems in order here. If something doesn't work, try something else. Why do we think that doubling a failed response will eventually bring success? Example: sex problems in our schools, add sex education. More sex problems, more sex education!

Black and white need to be reminded of our responsibilities to each other. This paper would be a good place to start. DANIEL C. ESAU ROANOKE

by CNB