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

DATE: TUESDAY, October 17, 1995                   TAG: 9510170100
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ACTIVIST URGES COUNCIL TO CHECK ITSELF FOR RACISM

A statement by Mayor David Bowers on Monday about the comparative lack of racial divisiveness in Roanoke prompted a tearful retort from a local black activist who alleged that ``passive racism'' is alive in City Council chambers.

Evelyn Bethel, president of the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District, tried to offer as evidence the fact that former Mayor Noel Taylor's photograph had been moved from a prominent place on the wall in City Council chambers to a much less visible area near the back of the room.

But she repeatedly was interrupted by Bowers, who ruled her statements out of order. He said she could speak about the picture later in the meeting.

The clash arose after Bowers addressed council and the audience on Monday's Million Man March in Washington, D.C. He said racial problems so evident in the United States as a whole aren't reflected in Roanoke.

``We have a long way to go, but we've come a long way,'' he said.

Bethel, who wore a Malcolm X shirt, got the floor to reply to Bowers' statement a short time later.

``Listening to such glorious and grand words, we would like to remind you of the insidious nature of passive racism,'' Bethel said. ``And it could be considered quite evident here in our chambers. ... There's something amiss in this chamber room.''

Bowers cut Bethel off once, then five more times as she attempted to continue. He said her remarks weren't germane and that she could talk about that issue later in the meeting.

Finally, Councilman William White advised Bowers to let Bethel continue.

``We don't need to look [at racism] on the national level,'' Bethel continued, bursting into tears. ``We need to look on the local level. We need to look right here in this council room. ... Open your eyes, look around the wall and see.''

Except for the current mayor, whose photograph hangs alone on a wall near the entrance to City Council chambers, photographs of past mayors are arranged chronologically, in groups, around the room.

After Taylor's last term ended in 1992, his picture was for a time hung out of order in a prominent place near the entrance door.

It later was moved next to that of Roy Webber, the mayor before Taylor. That spot is near a rear door that exits into the mayor's office and is much less visible to the public.

City Clerk Mary Parker said after the meeting that she didn't remember when Taylor's picture had been moved. Bethel has been talking about it since April, Parker said.

The pictures ``have been rearranged several times since I've been on council,'' Councilman Mac McCadden said. ``I understand Mrs. Bethel's point, but I don't think it was racially motivated.''

by CNB