ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 1, 1997 TAG: 9701020026
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: HOLIDAY
TYPE: LETTERS
Rosy scenario was cast for schools
HERE ARE some counterpoints for Robert C. Small's assertion that public schools are the best they have ever been (Dec. 22 Commentary article, ``Public education is better than ever''):
More students attend college today because there are thousands more colleges today than 25 years ago. The colleges need the revenue. Their admissions standards are more liberal than they were then.
Nine of 10 students are in school because of compulsory-education laws. They are there physically, and the school districts are paid to have them there. What they do while there is the issue.
Three-fourths of adults get high-school diplomas because today's diplomas are issued if you're breathing. A college degree is more common because it's easier to get.
Test results are better because standards have been lowered. The tests have been revised over the years to accommodate more kids. The tests are easier than they once were.
The illiteracy rate is lower than in 1940 because we've spent more money on it than on anything else in the entire history of the world. We'll spend $85 million just in Roanoke city in this year alone. Considering what will be spent nationwide, cancer could have been cured with that kind of money.
Is it necessary to have a ``literacy army of one million volunteers''? The teacher unions supported the candidate who proposed it. Is there a problem or not?
DAVE PERKINS
ROANOKE
The outpouring of a city's generosity
I'M SO pleased to live in a city that has so many people who care about others! Your response toward the children and the homeless has been eternal and focused.
I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict at the Rescue Mission. I have seen so many toys, food items and gifts come in to help those in need, not only during Thanksgiving and Christmas but throughout the year.
Thank you, Roanoke, for having a heart full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
MARK S. CLINGENPEEL
ROANOKE
Decals are a tax on a tax
I BELIEVE as an American that when you witness a wrong you should at least attempt to set it right. The wrong I've witnessed is local tax decals for vehicles.
I understand the purpose of the decals is to display proof of taxes paid. But at $15 to $25 a pop, this is nothing but taxation on taxation, to increase local governments' payrolls that are already too full.
Get out of my pockets and off my back. If you need more cash, downsize and cut waste. Don't place your management shortfalls on the backs of the people.
Remember, folks, we own all government. It is to work for us.
You are taxed to live in this country, so exercise your rights. Enough is sometimes too much!
WENDELL E. COLLINS
ELLISTON
Joint-custody law is no solution
I AM responding to your Dec. 2 editorial, ``Tug of war over children,'' and to Stephen D. Ribble's Dec. 12 letter to the editor, ``Joint-custody legislation is needed.''
As a marriage and family counselor and child therapist, I have more than two decades' experience working with children and parents. I have seen joint custody work beautifully between parents who are able to communicate without blame and who work with one another toward the best interests of their children. I have also observed the severe backlash of joint custody when parents are enmeshed in power struggles in which their children are pawns and messengers between Mom and Dad.
As your Dec. 2 editorial pointed out: "Judges already have the option of joint custody ... But a legal presumption that this is in children's best interest is a wrongheaded presumption." Thus, joint-custody legislation is not the solution.
Joint custody works for some families, but it is not always in all children's best interests. My professional opinion is that this needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis rather than by passing a bill to legislate joint custody.
PAT DAVIDSON
ROANOKE
Please, let's not speak pig Latin
IN RESPONSE to the Dec. 20 news article, "Black English recognized as a 2nd language":
I is appalled at the use of the word "legitimate" to describe ignorance. "Ebonics" be as patronizing and discriminating toward the blacks it be trying to help as affirmative action has become in our country. We crazy. If we be going to lower the standards of communication to the level of pig Latin, then do we truly be creating equality?
Are we supposed to accept and promote the lower level of communication as exemplified by my last paragraph? Or should we address and rectify the problem by guiding students to a higher level instead of lowering the hurdles that all students must face?
To compare Ebonics to Spanish or Chinese as a second language is as degrading as it is ridiculous. Are these students going to use Ebonics as a resume-builder for college applications? I think not.
If we are going to apply for federal funding for programs such as Ebonics, then shouldn't we also recognize our other bilingual brothers by promoting courses such as "Ivoronics" for white Americans who cannot avoid the occasional "y'all" or "yonder," or "Imigronics" for people who are new to our country and forget to pronounce certain consonants?
As an English major at Virginia Tech, I have had the privilege of conversing with some of the most fantastic communicators in the nation (Nikki Giovanni, Jeff Mann, Anne Cheney), and what I respect most about them is that they lead students to a higher level instead of accepting what is wrong.
It's time for students and administrators to set and reach higher goals instead of hiding behind failures and allowances.
GREG TINSLEY
BLACKSBURG
Dumbing down our language
I AM so glad that "Black English" - Ebonics (Ebony + phonics) - is now an official language. Maybe now we can get special recognition for my primary language: "Hillbilly English" or Hilphonics.
English is our second language. We only use it in the business world or when writing letters to the editor. Hilphonics is the primary language we use in the home. The following is an example of our normal speech pattern:
Not nary a mornin what goes by that I don't holler at my son, "Boy, get yoor lazy carcass in cheer and plop hit in that thar char whilst I larn yawl the chores what I speck yawl to do this cheer day and don't gimme no sassy back talk. Didjew hear me, boy?" Then I larn him what he is to lift, tote, or fetch today. I always end with this warnin: "Yawl better do'em rite or I'll tan yoor hide!"
I am very eager for Hilphonics to also be recognized as an official language so that we will also get first rights to jobs, promotions, education, etc.
GARY C. WALKER
ROANOKE
Drawing partisan lines in college
OF COURSE most educators in Virginia are Democrats. (Ray Garland column, Dec. 5, ``Virginia's expensive politics of higher education.'')
To draw Republican job applicants, schools would have to raise salaries and lower educational requirements.
Graduate school requires challenging one's beliefs. Republicans, conservatives and religious fundamentalists feel obligated to protect beliefs that are too weak to stand on their own.
CHARLES JORDAN
BOONES MILL
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