THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509220207
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 238 lines
In regard to ``Racism and one's attire,'' Portsmouth Currents, Sept. 17, Mr. Ware seems to feel that ethnic attire worn by blacks is viewed as racist, but when worn by Caucasians it is viewed as candor. His letter is just another example of the ignorance of racism.
Most people do not make any connection between what someone is wearing and any statement they are trying to make. Occasionally an individual will put two and two together and they will either appreciate the statement, view it apathetically, or try to make a statement of their own by condemning the original statement as racist.
For example, during the senatorial campaign, Chuck Robb was wearing a red necktie with blue stars and stripes within the stripes. Much hullabaloo was made about this ``racist'' statement. Supposedly this was the same color necktie worn by Confederate officers during the Civil War. Fortunately, most people found the topic of Sen. Robb's ``racially motivated'' attire to be unfounded. Sen. Robb shrugged off this ignorance and continued to wear his tie. The real racist in this instance was not Sen. Robb, but those individuals who tried to make the tie a racist issue.
Mr. Ware also seems to find this form of subtle racism to be repugnant, but submits an editorial that is itself racist. Suppose that the shoe was on the other foot. Imagine what would happen if a city council member was to wear a Confederate battle flag tie tack. Would he view this as an ethnic statement or would he condemn it as a racist symbol, that I might add, it is not.
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Ware that it is ridiculous to view ethnic attire as a racist statement, unless it is worn by those with that specific purpose. Who is to decide the intent of an individual without prior knowledge of that individual? This is why I tend to live and let live, and leave the racist bickering to others. Isn't it better to get to know and understand someone before we ``shoot from the hip'' and label them as racist?
Racism in its simplest form is ignorance. Our society perpetuates this ignorance by giving it credibility where none is due. To condemn racism is admirable, but to condemn it with reverse views of racism is still racism.
M. Lee Inman Jr.
Rivercrest Drive
Sept. 16, 1995 Sleepy Hole is great
In area golf news there is a lot of talk about Sleepy Hole Golf Course. People are interested in knowing about the management staff, the condition of the course and its future.
Well, from a lover of the game, Sleepy Hole is a great golf course and right now it's in the best condition of all the area's courses - tee to green. The greens superintendent has done a tremendous job. Golf courses of this caliber range in cost from $40 to $100 per round.
The people involved with operating the course are proud of their accomplishments and are welcoming the golfers in first class hospitality. They cater the foursome or very large golf outings.
There are a lot of new changes all around the layout of the course and more to come later this year and next year.
Hopefully they will have the return of the LPGA and there's talk about a Nike tour event.
The local golfers can have no complaint about the style and service awaiting them at Sleepy Hole - a Golf Digest award winner and the area's most popular layout and design course. So head on out and experience the challenge of Sleepy Hole Golf Course at its best.
Lin Baker
Mount Vernon Ave.
Sept. 20, 1995 Of appropriate attire
In reference to the letter on ``Racism and one's attire'' Sept. 17: The author asked, ``Why is it that any show of Afro-centrism by an African-American is often interpreted by Caucasians as a blatant act of racism?'' The question was asked because another writer said it was improper for black elected officials to dress in ethnic attire.
In the U.S., and in Portsmouth, there is a proper way to dress for official functions (like a City Council member at a City Council meeting). For a man it is usually a coat and tie. I would not expect someone of American Indian heritage to come in a feathered headdress and leggings, nor would I expect a man of Scottish heritage to come in a kilt, nor would I expect someone from Norway to come in a native costume. Using this same rationale I would not expect a black to appear in African attire. As stated by the earlier author, H.M. Petrey, it is improper.
The examples given by Shawn Ware - a nun in habit, a priest or pastor in a clerical collar - do not seem to be germane. These people are wearing attire that denotes their profession, not their heritage. It has also been considered proper attire for these professions for centuries, but this does not apply to all professions. For example, if a bus driver who wears a uniform was on the City Council, he or she would not wear their uniform to the meeting; they would dress appropriately for the meeting.
It seems Shawn Ware is over sensitive concerning race. Saying someone is improperly dressed is not racism; it is a statement about the current mores used in the city at the time. Wearing the Kente out to dinner or to one of the events at Portside or to give a speech on Africa would be totally appropriate and a way to show his pride in his race.
Ware's use of Afro-centrism and African-American is an implication that black Americans want to be separate from other Americans. This could become a very divisive factor in community relations. For instance, my ancestors come from Italy, France, Scotland and Canada. Should I call myself an Italian-American, a French-American, Scottish-American, a Canadian-American, or a European-American? I don't think any of them apply, even though three of my grandparents were not born in America.
If I did use them, and others used similar names, we would no longer be the ``melting pot of nations,'' we would become a nation of many, many ethnic groups who wanted to become, and stay, separate. This could result in chaos.
Even though I am a newcomer compared to most blacks, I very much want to be known as American, not one of the other labels that I mentioned. It allows me to fit in, to work with other Americans without having to worry about which ethnic group we belong to.
If I'm interested in my ethnic background, I have many other options I can use to express it without causing angst in the community by flaunting the societal norms in the community. I can have decorations in my home. I can support ethnic parties or celebrations. I can wear ethnic attire at appropriate events, etc.
We need to work together in our city toward common goals that improve the city for all the residents, not fight over ethnic differences.
Raymond Cicirelli
Lake Circle
Sept. 19, 1995 Bring on the Top Hats
This summer I attended Sunday evenings at Buckroe Beach and Ocean View where the ``Top Hats,'' a local big band, were performing. I would like to recommend that whoever schedules the groups for Portside consider hiring this outstanding band for our city.
The Top Hats drew large crowds even in inclement weather. The people came, they stayed and they danced. Folks even hung around talking with the band members as they were packing up.
These events were great fun because the music was excellent. The Top Hats played full sets of music which the people knew. Selections ranged from ``The Electric Slide,'' music great for country line dancing to ``In the Mood'' and the favorites associated with the Big Band sound.
Our city needs events that will draw all generations of citizens to our beautiful waterfront. Portsmouth has a setting which far surpasses any other city in Tidewater.
I'd like to see and hear the ``Top Hats'' under the direction of Jack Canady at Portside in '96!
Susan B. Yearby
Merrifields
Sept. 10, 1995 Streets belong to all
Ms. Lori Ahuna may be disappointed with Ida Kay Jordan's article, well I am just as disappointed with her letter to the editor of Sept. 3. She is not considering that a distribution of traffic is necessary and no neighborhood should be exempt from the distribution of traffic. When you close one neighborhood off to through traffic, other neighborhoods would expect the same consideration.
I live on the corner of King Street and Powhatan Avenue. We get most of the traffic via Waterview as well as Rodman Avenue via King Street.
Sure we would like our corner to be traffic free, but this would certainly be an inconvenience to our neighbors in the Simonsdale area.
I'll agree there are some inconsiderate drivers who violate the speed limits and play loud music. These violations are not limited to the Waterview area. Yes, I am concerned about the children of the Waterview area and also the children throughout the city. When we start closing causeways and streets, we only shift the traffic and create more congested areas.
My advice to our elected officials: closing any causeways or streets to through traffic will only lead to more requests by other neighborhoods for the same consideration.
My understanding of elected officials is that they represent all citizens, but when making a decision, it should be in the interest of the majority of the citizens. I believe it would be in the best interest of the majority to keep the Waterview-Westhaven Causeway open.
James D. Lassiter
Powhatan Avenue
Sept. 11, 1995 Traffic here to stay
I think it absolutely ridiculous for the city to even think of closing the (Caroline Street) causeway and inconvenience thousands of taxpayers in order to satisfy a few. Let's face it, traffic is here to stay.
Closing the Clifford Street bridge would force more traffic onto Airline and Portsmouth boulevards. I really think that Portsmouth Boulevard would be better named ``Gosport Speedway.'' I don't know if people are racing to get out of Portsmouth, racing to get to the mall, or just plain racing.
If the city can't repair the bridge without closing, then they have an engineering problem.
After more than 70 years in Portsmouth, I wonder if the city will ever pay attention to the majority.
Orville L. Whitehurst
Mimosa Road
Sept. 12, 1995 Upholding the editor
In response to Lori Ahuna's letter to the editor recently, I feel I must defend Ida Kay Jordan when Ms. Ahuna wrote she should have done some research on the causeway. If any reporter does their research, it is certainly Ms. Jordan.
Streets are to drive on, not to play on. If Ms. Ahuna had done her research a year ago and found out about the traffic, perhaps she would not be complaining or even have moved to Waterview if she does not like traffic.
Incidentally, I lived in Waterview on the corner of High and Shenandoah and never made a complaint to anyone about the traffic because I did my research before moving there.
Leave traffic problems to the traffic engineers and police departments. Streets are there for the whole city to use, not just a chosen few. Remember what president Truman said about the kitchen.
Gene Baldwin
Tareyton Lane
Sept. 13, 1995 Fine future officials
I am very lucky to have met two fine future elected officials recently in Dan Evans and George Talbot. For too long, many people have been willing to vote according to party line and not according to the person. After talking with George and Dan, I realized that these two need my support and my friends' support.
I've seen how Portsmouth has changed over the past few years with crime rising and not many jobs. It's unfortunate that the same elected officials have lost touch with the community and done little to help the citizens. Portsmouth needs new leadership to help bring more jobs, lower crime and improve the efficiency of the government.
In November, I'll be proud to vote for Dan Evans for House of Delegates and George Talbot for Portsmouth Clerk of the Court.
Monty Gregory
King Street
Sept. 13, 1995 In praise of Edmonds
The purpose of this letter is to let you know how impressed I was with the staff of the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Walter M. ``Square'' Edmonds runs an exceptional office with a well-trained staff which is most helpful in a friendly and expedient manner.
Having just lost my mother, I did not look forward to the task ahead of me. One of Mr. Edmonds' employees was most sympathetic and understanding of my feelings and could not have been nicer or more helpful. She certainly made an unpleasant task bearable.
I firmly believe that when someone goes out of their way to be such a help as this employee that it is a high reflection upon the present Clerk of Court. I see no reason why he should not be re-elected to his present position.
Robert A. Jones
Western Branch Boulevard
Sept. 13, 1995 by CNB