`rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book' Follows Mowgli, Jason Scott Lee, Right, 
Who Grows Up In The Jungle And Is Eventually Drawn Back Into Civilization 
Where He Helps His Wounded Friend Major Brdon, Sam Neiill Left.

Saturday, December 24, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 8A 





Racism -- in its various forms -- is still being practiced locally &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The United States of America from its birth embraced a set of contradictory
values. The so-called founding fathers proclaimed their devotion to principles
of liberty, equality and justice and the pursuit of happiness, yet, they
enshrined slavery in the ConstitutionSlavery poisoned the mind and heart of
this new nation from the very beginning. Slavery would not be abolished
without a bloody civil war that nearly destroyed the young republic. The evil
consequences of slavery are still visible in the United States. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Racism and discrimination are still alive in the greater Wilkes-Barre area,
covertly and overtly against Catholics, Jews, Asians, Hispanics and
African-Americans. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Racism involves two closely related forms: a) Individual whites acting
against individual African-Americans, Jewish-Americans, Catholics, Hispanics
and Asians; b) acts by the total white community against these cultures. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Overt racism consists of overt acts by individuals which cause death,
injury, or the violent destruction of property. This type can be recorded by
video and television cameras most times. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Covert racism originates in the operation of established and respected
forces in American society and this receives far less public condemnation than
acts of overt racism, for example, the omission of African-American, Hispanic,
Asian, and Native American Indian contributions from our history books and
classroom dicussions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When terroristic individuals burn crosses, paint swastikas, leave
life-threatening messages, bomb and kill, these acts of individual racism are
looked down upon by most segments of society and the world community. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans babies die
each year because of lack of food, medical facilities and when thousands more
destroyed and maimed physically, emotionally, and intellectually because of
conditions in American urban communities, we are witnessing institutional
racism. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It is institutional racism that keeps minorities locked in urban slums and
subject to exploitative slumlords, merchants, discriminatory real estate
agents and banks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Society either pretends it does not know these and other situations exist
or is, in fact, incapable of doing anything ~meaningful about it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To date, in the city of Wilkes-Barre, African-Americans are still seeking
the respect of their fellow Americans. They seek inclusion within the civic
community to become co-equal participants in the national enterprise of
recognizing the contributions of one of America's African-American citizens:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Given the same circumstances, all people -- regardless of ethnicity or
culture -- essentially behave the same way. In our frivolous efforts to
classify and separate our diverse elements, humanity has become disoriented
and confused. We have forgotten the values, principles and laws of the Supreme
Being. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The pledge of allegiance states, "One nation under God." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Where is God in our society? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rev. Kenneth Burnett &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Vice-president &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 NAACP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chapter 2306 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ~~~~ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Racism -- In Its Various Forms -- Is Still Being Practiced Locally 
The United States Of America From Its Birth Embraced A Set Of Contradictory 
Values. The So-called Founding Fathers Proclaimed Their Devotion To Principles 
Of Liberty, Equality And Justice And The Pursuit Of Happiness, Yet, They 
Enshrined Slavery In The Constitution.