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

DATE: SATURDAY, December 3, 1994                   TAG: 9412060009
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BLATANT RACISM ON THE LEFT

AFTER READING Professor Justin Askins' Nov. 28 commentary (``Seeking diversity in the back country''), several questions immediately arose. Just how nature-conscious could Askins be when experiencing a hike through one of our country's most majestic nature areas, when the largest impression he seemingly had was the lack of minority employment within the parks?

I also wondered how he could justify his own presence at Yellowstone when he has such distaste for the thousands of predominately white tourists visiting the park. Askins, obviously being a member of the liberal teaching elite, can justify his presence while bemoaning the rest of us common Americans. It's amazing how liberal elitists such as Askins can continually make racist statements and historical inaccuracies, and teach them to our kids without any kind of accountability.

Askins continues in his commentary to propel the flames of racism by stating, ``I perfectly understand that wilderness destruction in the United States started with the first white invaders, a process fueled by the present unconscionable, materialistic, white majority.'' He goes on to revel in the fact that by the year 2050 the white majority will disappear.

I don't know where Askins was educated, but such statements, in my opinion, are nothing more than bigotry and racism in their purest form. To actually look forward to the disappearance of any racial majority in any country reeks of cultural intolerance. Not to mention his inference that America as we know it is a wretched, evil and destructive occupation of a stolen land manifested through white-male supremacy.

I believe America and her many great accomplishments, along with her failures, are a product of individual efforts - male and female, young and old, of all colors and races. To attribute America's greatness, or as he views America's destruction, to any one race - whether it be black, white, red or yellow - is totally irresponsible. I find it even more disturbing that this blatant racism is being taught to our kids by liberal elitists who seem to be finding an open podium in our learning institutions.

STEVE SCOTT ROANOKE

Will prisons become safety nets?

THE WAY things are going, if you're poor and can't find a job, you might have to commit a crime so that you can be taken care of in one of Gov. Allen's new prisons.

VIRGINIA CURRIE BLACKSBURG

Intellectual babble is out of touch

IN RESPONSE to Peter S. Fosl's philosophical ramblings (Nov. 26 letter to the editor, ``Don't bet on Demopublicans or Republicrats for change''):

I can only conclude that what I saw in college was correct. Philosophy professors are completely out of touch with everyday Americans. While others work hard for a living, these intellectuals sit around smoking pipes and spout off remarks they think are important.

I'm neither a Democrat or Republican, but I assure you that I wouldn't be so out-of-touch as to believe in the Green, Red, New or Old Party. What about the Extraterrestrial Party? The average, hard-working U.S. citizen should read intellectual babble from some professors for what it is - talk to amuse themselves.

Fosl's remarks advocating jobs and ``economic justice'' should be taken for what they are - socialistic stands. America is a free-enterprise system where competition rules. ``Economic justice'' is practiced in Cuba - Fidel Castro runs the system and no one can succeed. Let the Fosls intellectualize, let us keep America running!

JIM DOOLEY BLACKSBURG

Defense needed - Helms is at the helm

I NOW fully understand why the Republicans wish to increase spending for national defense. With Sen. Jesse Helms as chairman of Senate Foreign Relations, we surely will need all the defense we can buy.

SANFORD GROSS CHRISTIANSBURG

Faring better on the loose?

I KNOW I speak for many who, like Gloria Mowbray in her Nov. 23 letter to the editor (``Unlucky cat could have been saved''), were appalled at the unnecessary killing of the cat ``Lucky'' (Nov. 17 news article, ``An unhappy ending for Lucky''). It seems that what the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals really stands for is the Society to Put Cats Asleep!

It's no wonder well-meaning employees are fired, family pets are killed before they can be claimed, and any injured animal has a much better chance to survive if let loose in the woods or taken to a private veterinarian for treatment.

BILL MODICA SALEM

by CNB