Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 8 June 1996 — Page 3

The Muncie Times, June 6, 1996, Page 3

►LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Time to Realize Name Withheld A recent article in another newspaper said the city made a commitment to end Munsyana violence. Let’s talk about commitment and then realize it’s time to put that commitment into action across the entire city. The violence does need to come to an end in Munsyana, along with the entire city. It seem though, that minority violence makes headlines and the front page so often, it tends to make readers and non-readers think the only people causing violence are minorities. The bottom line is wherever we, as minorities, go we get pushed out It’s time for the city, county, Muncie Housing Authority, politicians, businesses, organization, neighborhood associations and community centers to come together and provide places for us and everyone to go and enjoy life outside the home. If you drive down Madison street, you will see whites hanging out on business lots from about Memorial Drive to 26th street. You will occasionally see police officers pull a car over and make individuals pour out an alcoholic beverage. But there is not the harassment on this strip as there is where minorities hang out Both minority and non-minority youth enjoy loud music in their cars. Both enjoy fun and, sometimes, loud gatherings where they can be around people they like and meet new people. The point is this: be committed to allowing all people, regardless of their ethnic background, to enjoy their life. If city officials want to stop all the hanging out, then open a facility for young people with the activities and music they like. I’m sure the bankers and lodge organizations can do this. Look at aU the money and volunteers politicians have when they are running for office. Volunteer your time, money, buildings and land to improve the minority community as well as the non-minority community. Open the recreation centers to all; in the summer, keep Tuhey Pool open later. There is so much city officials can do other than locking up, moving out and without specifically saying “Just stay at home!” Make this your commitment!

Time to come together to restore morality in community Darlene Allen Muncie If we are to help rebuild the crumbling foundations of morality in our communities, we must heed Jesus’ admonition: to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. We must plan, prepare and perform with wisdom and careful forethought. I suggest five steps drawn from my own experiences and observation of others that can affect positive change in our communities. There seems to be hundreds of things happening in our communities that can bristle the hair on our neck. But we can hardly speak out on every issue. We would soon exhaust ourselves and our resources. We would also probably gain a reputation that could cripple our future effectiveness. If we wish to be effective in reestablishing a moral foundation in our communities, I suggest we begin by selecting an issue people are waking up to: the madness all around us. Newspapers, report drugs being sold by children, violence erupting in our classrooms and crime taking over our streets. The moral malaise threatens our culture, our families and our children. You and I have a golden opportunity to step in and stand up with an answer that can protect our communities and children. From the anguish and grief of a society gone mad, we can provide an answer that takes us back to bedrock morality. But we must be careful to choose our issues wisely, particularly in the beginning.

It is not your environment, it is you— ; I ».

the quality of your minds, the integrity of your souls, and the determination of your wills —

that will decide your future and shape your lives.

3416 South Hoyr Avenue Muncie, Indiana 47302 317-284-5050 Fax317-28&0557

There is influence in numbers. Find other people who want to see your community regain its moral bearings and network with them. Talk to others in your church or school system and community. Agree on the issues that are intolerable. Those issues that all of you agree upon must be addressed. A coalition of men and women concerned with the wellbeing of the community can be a powerful force for making the community right

(EPEPPER

GROUP

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