THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 1996 TAG: 9602270009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Regarding the controversy over the Confederate Ball, why is it that whenever a white person wants to celebrate his heritage he is called a racist? But whenever a black person wants to celebrate his black heritage, he is called a proud black person?
Black people are congratulated for things a white person would be condemned for:
The Miss Black America Pageant, the Black Entertainment Network, Black History Month, the United Negro College Fund, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
What if white people had the same examples, how would they sound?
The White Miss America Pageant, the White Entertainment Network, White History Month, the United Caucasian College Fund, the National Association for the Advancement of White People.
They don't have the same ring, do they? Why is that?
Why can't I show how proud I am to be a white person the same way a black person can show his pride? If blacks want to celebrate their heritage, then whites should have the same right.
So for one magical night, women will once again become ladies, and men will become gentlemen. They will waltz to songs of long ago. Ladies will look elegant in their billowing hoop skirts, and men will look dashing in their uniforms of gray. For this one night men will bow to a lady and kiss her hand. This isn't wishing for the days of slavery; it's just celebrating what used to be.
If you're black, be proud; and if you're white, be proud.
PATRICK LEE BLAKE JR.
Virginia Beach, Feb. 17, 1996 by CNB