Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 7, 1994 TAG: 9404070290
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
This error would be too trivial to call to your attention were it not that it brings up something about different attitudes toward children on the part of those who oppose the freedom to read and those who support it. The opponents' language about what the book ``condones'' and a conspiracy to ``indoctrinate'' assumes children are passive receptors of ``knowledge.'' If my son had been there, it would have been as an active participant in learning, not as its object.
This difference extends to how we raise our children to think about the law. Nita McNerlin made a big point of sodomy's being illegal in Virginia and about our not teaching children that they can choose which laws to obey. By contrast, I hope all children will learn that laws vary from one place to another and over time. Within my memory, many states' laws mandated separate schools, restrooms, sections of the bus and drinking fountains for black and white. Would it have been wrong back then for a library to house a book showing integrated classrooms in another state? And should we now ban books by and about heroic Americans who did ``pick and choose'' among the laws to bring about racial justice?
Someday, Virginia's sodomy laws will change. Those who help make the change will be those who were free to read the Bible, ``Daddy's Roommate,'' Thoreau's ``Civil Disobedience,'' King's ``Letter from the Birmingham Jail,'' Baldwin's ``Another Country'' and all other books in our free libraries. Isn't this why some oppose the freedom to read?
LILLIAM S. ROBINSON C.C. Garvin Professor of English Virginia Tech BLACKSBURG
Obeying laws benefits everyone|
I HAPPEN to be one of those unusual people who believe that laws should be obeyed, even when I disagree with them. In a democratic society, the intent of the law is to benefit the majority of society. Granted, some laws are questionable. These can be challenged and overturned.
But if I violate a law (and I occasionally exceed the speed limit), I accept the consequences. Violating parking regulations is breaking the law, and I have no sympathy for those who do this repeatedly. I commiserate with the occasional offender who does so unintentionally.
Parking in downtown Roanoke is difficult and discourages one from unnecessary trips down there. It's possible, however, to park six or seven blocks from downtown for an unlimited time on side streets without cost. Anyone unable to afford parking charges will benefit from the exercise of walking from one of these areas.
I'm concerned with the increasing attitude of a society that's only concerned with self. We live in a community and benefit from such. If we don't like the way the community's working, we're obligated to work with other community members to make changes. ``Doing our own thing'' results in chaos and a deterioration of the quality of life for all.
SELENA PEDERESEN ROANOKE
Tough love isn't always child abuse
RESPONDING to Tereasa Carlesco's March 13 letter to the editor, ``Child abuse seen every day'':
By the time I was 6 years old, my parents had taught me to respect my elders, not to steal, how to conduct myself in an orderly manner when in public and how to act ladylike. If I spoke back, my mother slapped my face, no matter where we were. If I misbehaved in church, I was spanked as soon as church was over. If I cursed, my mouth was cleaned out with soap. The one time I stole something from a store, my mother took me back there, made me give it back and explain what I had done.
At 37 years old, I still respect my parents, as well as others I meet. I'm a responsible adult who's never been in jail and never had need of a rehabilitation center. I'm grateful I was taught things I needed to learn to lead a clean and prosperous life. If she thinks that's child abuse, this lady should visit Coyner Springs and see the overcrowding. Maybe she'd rather see children's parents do nothing, and when the children are older, they might rob her store or worse. She can be as sympathetic as she is now.
Newspapers have been filled with the story about the two brothers who killed their parents. Looks like they'll get away with it. Has anybody stopped to think that murder is wrong? I gave my children the local number for reporting child abuse, and told them to call it if they feel they're being mistreated. I'd rather spank my four sons when they're in preschool than to bail them out of jail when they're adults.
Wake up, America! For too long, we've expected government to take care of problems with our youth. Some young people can be led with soft words and hugs; others need a firmer approach.
A big thank you to my parents for caring enough to teach me what's right, no matter what it took.
REBECCA SMITH ROANOKE
'Hog-wash' courses hone teachers' skills
IN RESPONSE to George ``Tex'' Wood on killing the education schools (Feb. 26 letter to the editor, ``First, kill all the education schools''):
I'm a college student preparing to teach elementary school and am well above the average freshman level in my academic discipline. I must major in a separate school and take a concentration in education to receive a teacher's certificate. Why should an educator take classes other than education? Extra credits from our concentration add up to that of a major, yet we don't get recognition or the prestige of having a double major.
To teach, a person must decide to spend the rest of his or her life making little money, to spend hours of personal time preparing and making up for a lack of discipline that some children bring to the classroom. It's a wonder anyone's willing to go into education, but teachers are among professionals who know what they want to do when their degree is received.
It may be Johnny cannot tell us when the Civil War took place because his parents don't back teachers at home. It's not that the teacher doesn't know the subject being taught.
It takes a special person to be dedicated to this profession. No matter what your job may be, you have teachers to thank. Reading, dealing with money and other everyday activities stem from the education department. Those required ``hog-wash'' courses inform prospective teachers of the best methods available to relay material to the children, so all students can learn to their potential.
AMY PRATT FARMVILLE
Commercial parking lots are too costly
IN RESPONSE to the March 30 news article concerning suitable parking spaces available in the downtown area (``Guerrilla war pits police, office workers'' by staff writer Ron Brown):
I'm a state employee and have a parking space in the state parking lot approximately three blocks from my office building. While three blocks may not seem like a tremendous distance, it's all uphill and quite a long distance in 20-degree weather or torrential downpours. It's also quite difficult when you're carrying a box of files or bags to the office.
There's parking directly across the street from this office building, supervised by Allright Parking, to the tune of $45 per month. This is a considerable amount of money for an individual to pay to park. Owners of these lots realize employees' parking problems and capitalize on their vulnerability. If these owners would charge more reasonable rates, their lots would not be as sparse. The only individuals able to afford these rates are executives with sizable incomes, and not average employees.
LESLIE F. MATNEY ROANOKE
Qualifications a source of pride
BARBARA Duerk represents all the qualities that make a sound, productive, healthy and happy society. She is a dedicated wife, mother and tireless volunteer, whose extensive community involvement has touched all our lives. How privileged we are to have such a high-caliber person to run for City Council. She's a Roanoker who truly loves Roanoke, and she'll make Roanoke proud of her.
Remember to exercise your right to vote on May 3. To vote will be easy. The hard work will be done by her.
TRICIA RODRIGUEZ ROANOKE
by CNB