ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: TUESDAY, June 1, 1993                   TAG: 9306010215
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHEAP TALK IS NOT ENOUGH

IT IS EVIDENT that Americans, as a whole, have done very little to eradicate an infectious evil that has pervaded American communities for hundreds of years.

It is racism - an evil that exists today because of lethargic, complacent, myopic, quiescent opponents of racism. These pseudo-liberals, fair-weather warriors or quasi-Christians would rather rely on a common crutch than squarely face the issue. They lean on the understanding that, though deplorable, racism is not endemic to their community instead of focusing on the discomforts attached to living in any community that has racists.

Eradicating racism requires more effort and action than cheap talk. Americans can no longer afford to sidestep the issue with mere platitudes, buzzwords or fallacies. These expressions do very little in providing comfort to denigrated, demeaned or demoralized individuals. Moreover, people have learned from history that time without action only brings despair.

The most competent and moral prescription for healing America of racism is a new mind-set, and the doses are enlightenment, compassion and involvement. Likewise, the healing process begins with each lethargic, complacent, myopic, quiescent opponent of racism. Once they are encouraged and energized to stand up and make a difference, then eradication can take place. NADINE D. KEEN MARTINSVILLE 


 by CNB