Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010032
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Neighborhoods can unite, not divide
RACIAL RELATIONS in the Roanoke Valley aren't as good as they are capable of being. I think some of these problems begin at my age - in and after school. I believe if Roanoke city's recreational program wouldn't make teams depending on where you live, then teams would consist of more of a variety of races. This would allow more kids of all races to meet people other than those they mostly know.
One of the harder problems to correct is racial division of neighborhoods. For example, all my friends of one race live across town while my neighborhood consists mainly of my race. This makes it difficult for me to go play with some of my friends. I don't exactly think these neighborhoods should or could be mixed, but rather united. One possibility for unifying could be by way of groups such as churches.
I hope citizens of this valley feel as strongly as I do about this issue and will try to help.
ALAN STONE
ROANOKE
POLICE, ETC.
Give blacks reasons to trust
WHITE people should see that it's still hard for qualified black people to get good jobs and promotions or even to get a good education. That's why, for blacks, there's still the need for special scholarships and supportive laws such as affirmative action.
Also important is a reform in the police so that black people can start trusting them. For example, officers who show racist beliefs or actions should be suspended from duty. Black people, on the other side, have to put away their anger against white people and forgive them for all the evil they did to blacks in the past. But for that, white people have to act in ways so that black people can forgive them.
What is most important in the end is the will to change the relations between people on both sides.
JULIAN TADESSE
BLACKSBURG
SPORTS
Adults must grow up
I HAVE resided in Blacksburg all my life (17 years). In that time, I've come to the conclusion that in the southwest corner of this great state racism is running amok. It invades almost all aspects of our lives, even the almost sacred high-school sports in which we take so much pride.
Every year when Giles plays Narrows in their annual football rivalry, a black mascot is hung in one of the trees around the high school. In 1994, when Blacksburg traveled to Richlands for a football game, there was a black mascot hung on the road to the field.
Two years ago, when Blacksburg had a very good Asian wrestler, people refused to wrestle him at the Region IV Tournament due to his ethnic background. A few years ago, the Ku Klux Klan marched through downtown Blacksburg.
Why are we living down to the negative stereotypes of people? Why can't we get along? Is it because of fear? Is it because of ignorance? Is it because of hate?
I don't know, but I do know it's time for the 40-year-olds walking around in letter jackets to leave their old prejudices behind and show that they're strong enough to accept everybody's differences. When ``adults'' accept this, children will follow and we'll be free of this plague of intolerance.
NATHAN CUMBEE
BLACKSBURG
SHARING
All must follow the golden rule
WE CAN stereotype people less. Then, people won't get the wrong ideas about other people. Everyone would have better feelings about others.
Gatherings and assemblies should include everyone. People would get together and communicate more. People would have more in common and know more about everyone else.
People should try to learn more about others' religions and cultures.
They should try to refrain from expressing mean or harmful feelings or sayings. There should still be expressions of different feelings, but it should be done in a less painful way. People should hit a pillow, or just talk with the person they're angry with.
People should gather to express their political beliefs, opinions of other people, products or places. That way, people would get information from other points of view, and there would be more understanding of what others think.
People should try to help others if they're in need of help. Everyone who gets helped would help another person, and the cycle would continue.
Most importantly, people should think of the golden rule - ``Treat others as you would like to be treated."
BRADEN GANDEE
ROANOKE
UNPREDICTABLE
Trying friendly persuasion
IT IS NEARLY impossible to convince a racist person to not be racist. They just don't understand and won't listen. The world will never be racist-free.
To improve race relations, we can only try to persuade people. For instance, if a black person who happens to be a racist drops his books, a white person could pick them up for him. The racist might think, "Hey, white people aren't so bad." Of course, he could also think, "Hey, these white people are weak. Why would he be doing something for me?" Unfortunately, we cannot predict the outcome.
CHRIS CALHOUN
ROANOKE
LISTEN UP!
It matters not who is right
IT MAY BE too late for the adult generation, but it's not too late for children.
When discussing race and/or religion, people tend to get into arguments usually over something like: "I'm right, and I know you're wrong, so I'm not going to listen to you!" This should never happen.
It may be too late for some adults, but I know we can teach our children to listen to other peoples' views and opinions, and not to argue, even if you really believe you're right.
Recently, a Mormon and a Baptist were beginning to argue and make fun of each other. This really bothered me. The Baptist could have respected and accepted what the Mormon was saying, even if inside the Baptist totally disagreed.
Schools should try to teach this idea even more than they do. This way, it will stick and work in society. People should have respect for something, no matter how much hate is inside.
LARA THIEL
ROANOKE
NO RETREAT
Make an effort to know others
ALTHOUGH segregation officially ended, there seems to be division between the races throughout Southwest Virginia and the nation. In schools, groups seem to be determined by race, and some neighborhoods seem to be specifically one race. I think people need to learn that beauty lies within. We all need to make an effort to get to know people who are different from ourselves. People tend to immediately retreat to their own groups and not meet different people.
We all need to become responsible for our actions and to work to promote racial equality.
ERICA V. BATES
BLACKSBURG
NO EXCUSES
Blacks, whites have equal opportunities
FOR DECADES, whites have been at fault for racial tension between blacks and whites. Now, many blacks make racial tensions worse by being so sensitive and making every issue racist. For example, when the young black male, Maurice Taylor, was shot in Blacksburg, many people made it a racial situation. When black people get in trouble, it always comes out as being racist.
Many blacks claim they don't have opportunities, but we all have the same schools, the same job opportunities, the same chance. Opportunities aren't given; they're earned.
There isn't much a common white person can do to make a change, but the common black person can make a great change. They need to do what's right for society, and not what's expected of them. They must not forgo an education and get in trouble, and then say that it isn't their fault.
Racism is also publicized far too much, and this causes lots of problems. The word racism is in the newspaper and everywhere. I feel the word is starting to have a new meaning. It's just an excuse.
WILLIAM W. VAUGHT
BLACKSBURG
TOWN MEETINGS
Organize for problem solving
ONE THING we could do is get involved in groups to interact and learn about each other. We could hold town meetings where racial differences are the main topic. We could focus on a different subject each week, such as better job opportunities at higher levels in the work place for minorities. Subgroups could be formed to work on specific assignments.
It's the responsibility of all people to look beyond the color of each other's skin and to look into each other's faces as human beings.
JULIA WILSIE
ROANOKE
KNOW BETTER
Schools can make a difference
I THINK the best way to improve race relations would be to teach kindness and good morals in schools. Since everyone learns in school and it's the law to go, they might as well teach it.
Parents also have a big key in this. If they show respect, their kids are very likely to follow the same path.
SALLY NICHOLS
ROANOKE
IT'S EASIER
Sticking with their own kind
I DO not think there's much that we could do to improve racism. There's always going to be differences, and all races will most of the time just stick with their own race because it's easier to do than to try to become equal with others. I know everybody is equal, but most races think their race is the best and other races aren't equal.
FRANCIE HILES
ROANOKE
NO VIOLENCE
Recognize that all are special
ONE WAY we can improve this problem is to teach children at an early age that it doesn't matter what color, religion or sex you are. They need to know that everyone is different and special in his or her own way. They need to be taught how to handle situations in which they're being made fun of.
Children should also learn how to stand up for themselves without getting violent or out of control. I think if children are taught at an early age, it will stick with them forever.
LACEY VARNER
ROANOKE
IGNORE SLIGHTS
We can all get along
I DO NOT have problems with other races. I hear a lot of people say that racism is worse today than it was approximately 200 years ago. My opinion is that the situation has improved.
I have friends of all colors and from different origins, and we all get along just fine. I've been called a "nigger" by people of different races, but I just ignore all name-calling and keep on going. I don't see a person as white or black - I see them as a human being.
AMEENAH RASHEED
ROANOKE
NEW FRIENDS
It's up to each of us, individually
I TEND TO stereotype people - which isn't right, but it just comes naturally. This year, I've done better with my first impressions of people since our school received students from Jackson Middle School. It was a whole new crowd, and I've made friends with a good deal of them.
I wish racism would stop, but I don't see anything in the near future that's going to solve this problem. We're going to have to solve this individually or not at all.
ERIC ALGER
ROANOKE
GENERATION GAP
Outgrowing racial issues
IN MY OPINION, most racial issues will be dropped by the time those in my age group are adults. Our age group is getting along better with other races than adults are now. I have friends of many different races, and I'm sure many other kids my age do.
The problem has been carried over from the '60s, or whenever. Kids don't really care about that. They like people because they're nice, not because they're white or black.
I think many adults could learn from their children on how to get along with other races.
CHARLIE HUNT
ROANOKE
by CNB