$1 Million Tabbed For Veterans

Absences, Baggy Pants Draw District's Attention

Thursday, August 08, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Official's `thoughtless' words inflicted needless hurt, perpetuate racism &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As a white person whose immediate family includes several persons of color,
I &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; am embarrassed, insulted and saddened by the remarks of Bernie Babonis
(July &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 31)Mr. Babonis' remark was thoughtless and hurtful. His efforts to pass it
off as a meaningless "joke" deepened the wound his words created. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Apparently, Mr. Babonis does not realize that thoughtless words can be
painful instruments of prejudice, perpetuating and inflaming racism. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I can only think of the children of color growing up in our community right
now. How many more times will they feel the pain of careless remarks from Mr.
Babonis and others like him, who believe that derogatory name-calling is
funny? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What results will that destructive behavior have on the self-esteem of
these children, the future of our community? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 How many of these children will grow into angry adults after suffering
countless similar thoughtless remarks, gestures, and practices --
"thoughtless" only because they reflect racist attitudes so deeply entrenched
that they are made automatically, with no thought as to their source? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 How ironic that the article about Bernie Babonis' racial epithet shared the
front page with the picture of Dan O'Brien winning the decathlon high jump. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Centennial Olympiad was full of African Americans, indeed people with
African heritage of every nationality, achieving the highest goals humanly
possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These are our American heroes, individuals deserving of praise and respect,
representatives of a wonderful culture. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I am left to wonder how so many persons of color -- whether students,
doctors, friends, family members, or gold medal winners -- have become so
strong, so positive and so accomplished when faced with a lifetime of racism. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I admire them for not giving in to the hate. They serve as a model of
strength for all of us, especially people such as Mr. Babonis. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gina Z. Morrison &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 MultiCultural coordinator &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes University &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Official's `thoughtless' Words Inflicted Needless Hurt, Perpetuate Racism 
As A White Person Whose Immediate Family Includes Several Persons Of Color, I 
Am Embarrassed, Insulted And Saddened By The Remarks Of Bernie Babonis (july 
31).

Official's `thoughtless' Words Inflicted Needless Hurt, Perpetuate Racism As A White Person Whose Immediate Family Includes Several Persons Of Color, I Am Embarrassed, Insulted And Saddened By The Remarks Of Bernie Babonis (july 31).