Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 19, 1994 TAG: 9404190116
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
This didn't happen in the '50s or in any pre-civil-rights era in America. It was on Feb. 24, 1994, that Humphries stood before the assembled Randolph County High School and told Ms. Bowen that she was ``a mistake'' because her parents were a mixed couple. And it was on April 6 when he returned to his job as that high school's principal.
Why all the concern about when these events took place? The answer is clear: We must not fool ourselves. America hasn't shed the ugly face of racism, and more clearly, we must still stand and denounce the fact that an official of our school system can make such blatantly racist comments and get away with it. That's exactly what happened in Randolph County, Ala., and we need to be utterly aware of it.
According to an Associated Press article in The New York Times on April 6, the current state of affairs in Randolph County is this: The senior prom Humphries threatened to cancel if any interracial couples attended will still occur on April 23, although many students, especially black students, no longer feel comfortable attending. Many of the high school's students - 115 black, 42 white - are now boycotting classes, with the support of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Humphries, an administrator with a long history of racial bias, is back in his position with no loss of pay or status. Ms. Bowen, who was reduced to tears after being targeted by Humphries in the school assembly, has launched a civil-rights suit against him. Of course her tears have dried, but the incident will never be cleared away from her memory or from the memory of any other student who was there that day.
GREGORY M. TERRILL
SALEM
Let private investors build the ballpark
THE BALLPARK venture is fine. It isn't a gold mine; at most it's for a sport that some people support. How much support? If it has the tremendous support that the Salem Bucs' owner claims, then why doesn't private enterprise invest money to build it? That's where the major portion of profits go. If they think it's a sound business venture, why aren't private investors investing their dollars?
Salem City Council claims there'd be no tax hike if this is done. Would this mean that we could expect a tax decrease if it isn't? Salem's only source of money comes from the people. The tax base is its revenue source. If private enterprise builds this ball park, it will be a tax source for the city. If Salem builds it, then it's a liability to Salem. The risk of success or failure should be taken by private enterprise. Where does the use of tax money stop? Salem should allow the free-enterprise system to work.
ROY HIPPERT
SALEM
Interstate will make people grumpy
I WANT to talk about the new interstate going through people's back yards, which I'm against because it will mess up the grass. It will also pollute the air. When people try to go to bed, the cars will make so much noise so they can't sleep. If they can't sleep, then they'll be grumpy.
WILLIAM SNIDER
SHAWSVILLE
God's judgment won't be soothed
NOW ABORTION is not only legal, but those in favor want to start a soothe-the-conscience program, according to the article on the front page of the March 29 Extra Section, ``Another choice'' by Loraine O'Connell of the Orlando Sentinel. They want women to abort a fetus, then be able to talk freely about it in terms that are ``right for them - including the language of loss, death and mourning,'' and they want them to do this without ``losing their moral legitimacy.''
So, abortion is legal. They can have their legitimacy. But they'll never have the moral right to take the life of their unborn babies. No amount of soothing talk will take away the fact that a life's been lost - a life that may have added a lot to the world around it.
Yes, there's such a thing as a seared conscience - a conscience that's told itself over and over that it's doing well until it believes this. But consciences do have their awakening. If not in this life, they'll surely awaken to the truth when they stand before their Creator and give account of their life on Earth. We will all be judged from the books of God, not from therapists' viewpoints.
GLENNIS M. HENSLEY
ARARAT
Region's legislators made a united effort
I WANT to thank Steven Cochran of Christiansburg for his April 6 letter to the editor, ``Credit also due Marye and Shuler.'' His interest in the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance is appreciated and welcomed. However, I'd like to clear up a misconception formulated in his letter. The alliance and I give much-deserved credit to our local legislators' contributions for state funding allocated for our marketing efforts.
Cochran referenced a quote from a news article announcing the approved budget amendment where I said Sen. Bo Trumbo deserved ``100 percent of the credit.'' This statement was made by me while talking to a reporter about how the amendment was initiated. It was Trumbo's idea to propose the funding, therefore I remarked that he deserved ``100 percent of the credit'' for the amendment.
Once a piece of legislation is under consideration, it takes many legislators' combined efforts to approve it. Because of this, the alliance held a special meeting on March 29 to publicly recognize and thank our local legislators for the approval of the $325,000 in state funding. At that meeting, I commented publicly that it took efforts of all our local senators and delegates to pass this amendment, and we're very grateful for their support.
Economic-development efforts work best when we transcend partisan politics. As long as I'm president of this very important organization, we'll remain neutral politically and aggressive in our efforts to bring jobs to the New River Valley.
L. GARRETT WEDDLE
President, New River Valley Economic Development Alliance
RADFORD
Edwards has vision for the entire valley
I ENDORSE John Edwards for City Council. Since he was unanimously appointed by council to fill a vacancy, his ability has been recognized.
His leadership and dependability were established early. He was elected president of student government by his Patrick Henry High School classmates, who also voted him ``most likely to succeed'' - a confidence his record has proved well-merited. After high school, he continued his education at Princeton University, graduating with honors. He attended Union Theological Seminary as a Rockefeller Fellow. In 1970, he graduated from the University of Virginia Law School, also with honors.
President Carter appointed him United States attorney. I saw his abilities when I served on a grand jury. This newspaper said he had ``perhaps one of the most successful tenures of any federal prosecutor in recent years.''
In addition to Edwards' qualifications, experience and achievements, he has a vision for Roanoke city and the whole valley. He sees the need and will work for new industries. His goals are quality schools, public safety, good jobs and strong neighborhoods. Shouldn't they be ours too?
Let's elect Edwards to City Council in May.
MARY ELIZABETH D. DAVIS
ROANOKE
Revitalize Victory Stadium
VICTORY Stadium's been the center of Roanoke sporting events for the past 50 years. I played sandlot, junior varsity and varsity football there. I watched the Baltimore Colts as the National Football League came to the valley, not to mention some pretty good Tech-VMI games.
Now, with the passing of our friend, Bob ``Guts'' McLelland, it seems as though the time's right to rejuvenate the stadium and utilize it for the potential it still has.
I support Nelson Harris' proposal to revitalize Victory Stadium. The potential is there to attract quality performances and events. It would be a shame to allow this facility in the middle of our city to waste away, especially when its field, McLelland Field, bears the name of a man who never seemed to rest when it came to his commitment to the people of Roanoke.
BERKY CUNDIFF
ROANOKE
by CNB