THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160596
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Dr. Joycelyn Elders called Wednesday night for comprehensive sex education in the schools and a wake-up call to America - a nation that ``treats its children like biodegradable trash.''
Elders' speech, at the opening ceremony of Hampton University's Black Family conference, electrified her audience of about 300.
``We don't mind our children having 15,000 hours a year of television, but we mind 40 hours in the classroom on how to take care of their bodies,'' said Elders, to a smattering of applause and ``Amens.''
``We need to teach them about nutrition, how to prevent unplanned pregnancies,'' she said. ``How to take care of themselves.''
In the unabashed style that has earned her as many critics as it has admirers, Elders praised the work and historical contributions of women while reminding the audience that more work needs to be done.
More and more women are being included in medical research, Elders noted - making findings more representative of the population - but she stressed that the health of women and children is still an issue, with domestic violence on the rise and inadequate access to preventive health care. Proposed budget cuts and welfare legislation will be as detrimental to the nation's health, she suggested.
``We've replaced the social net with a dragnet,'' Elders said.
``We are balancing the budgets on the backs of school lunches. . . people getting assistance. . . reducing early childhood education. . . unless we fight for the health care of our children, we'll continue to sell them down the river of poverty, ignorance and enslavement.''
The Hampton University Black Family conferences began in 1979 to address issues affecting minority Americans. This year's conference, with the theme of ``And Still We Rise: The Strength and Vision of Women of Color,'' will offer sessions through Friday on civil rights and politics as they relate to women, education, health and social reforms.
The audience gave Elders a standing ovation even before she could reach the podium.
The former surgeon general is teaching at the University of Arkansas Medical School, where she was a tenured professor before taking the surgeon general's job in September 1993.
While surgeon general, Elders was harshly criticized for her support of reproductive rights, sexual education in the schools and her talk of legalizing drugs.
In December, she was forced to resign for comments she made at a conference on AIDS. She had said of masturbation, ``it's a part of something that perhaps should be taught in schools.''
Wednesday night, after the opening ceremony, Elders spoke more of her brief stay in Washington. She maintained that she isn't upset with President Clinton and that the heat on her proposed replacement, Dr. Henry Foster, is all too familiar.
``It's not about abortion, it's not about Dr. Foster at all,'' Elders said.
``It's about economics. It's about raising money, and the sad part about it is that we all get sucked in.''
She said she isn't troubled by anything she did or said in her post.
``I've not regretted anything I said. If I said anything that was not true, then I would regret that,'' Elders said.
``But I have not done that. I never wanted to lie to the American people.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Graphic
THE CONFERENCE
The 17th annual Black Family Conference is being held today and
Friday in McGrew Towers Conference Center at Hampton University. The
theme is, ``And Still We Rise: The Strength and Vision of Women of
Color.''
Session topics include civil rights and politics, education,
social reform and community initiatives, health issues, the arts,
business and entrepreneurial issues, science and technology, media,
spirituality and family values.
For details, call 727-5401.
by CNB