Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 20 December 2001 — Page 2

The Muncie Times, December 20, 2001, page 2

EDITORIAL Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Best Wishes to Y’all

It is December and another reminder that the end of the year is near. That also means Christmas and Kwanzaa are just around the comer, on Dec. 25 and 26. But this year’s celebrations will be decidedly somber because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. For the first time, we will be celebrating Kwanzaa and Christmas under heightened security measures and fears that the terrorists could strike again at a time and targets of their choosing. Thus as we celebrate, let us not forget those who died Sept. 11, as well as those who are homeless, are going hungry, cannot make ends meet in the United States and abroad. Let us celebrate the sanctity of life and the realization that

material goods are but ephemeral. We may enjoy them on this earth, but we cannot take them with us when our mortal remains leave this world. Let us resist the temptation to indulge in conspicuous consumption or to show off our possessions. We should remember the have-nots and try to share what we have with them. Instead of buying mountains of food that we will not be able to finish, why not donate some of that food to the poor, the hungry, the homeless and the international students among us? Why not volunteer to be at the soup lines and other centers where concerned groups will feed the less fortunate? Or why not invite some of those unfortunate ones home for a healthy meal? Instead of being selfcentered and self-

indulgent, let us use this holiday season to help others. Many of us have clothes we no longer need. We have sweaters and coats and shoes that lie forgotten in our clothes, taking up space but providing no benefit to anybody. Let spread the wealth and the creature comforts. Christmas and Kwanzaa are opportunities to give and to help others. Let us not be stingy. Those we help will thank us and remember us long after Christmas and Kwanzaa have passed. Let us give generously to the Salvation Army bell ringers, to Goodwill, to the Muncie Mission and other nonprofit groups that seek to help those who are down on their luck. We will feel better for doing that. We will feel much better after the holidays if we know some child who would not have received a toy got one

because of your generosity or that someone got a warm meal or some clothes or shoes because of your help. That’s what Christmas and Kwanzaa should be about. Instead of griping about our problems and what we do not have, let this holiday season, leading to the New Year, should be an occasion to celebrate what we do have. Let us celebrate being alive, being healthy, being able to spend time with family and good friends and being around to see the end of another Christmas season and celebrate another Kwanzaa. We have much to be grateful for. This is the time when we should be demonstrating unflappable and unprecedented generosity We, at The Muncie Times, are urging all Munsonians and Delaware County residents to reach deep into their pockets and think of

those who are less fortunate than them. Let us put such people on our lists, instead of leaving them as afterthoughts. Let us reach out to them in hope and prayer. They do not have the luxury of making up Christmas or Kwanzaa presents to buy and give to relatives and Mends. They do not have the time to think about the New Year, because their present lives are brutish, dark and seemingly hopeless and helpless. Their children and grandchildren cannot even hope for a Christmas or Kwanzaa toy. Meanwhile, tide Publisher, Editor and Muncie Times Staff 1 wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, a wonderful Kwanzaa and a happy, peaceful, prosperous and healthful New Year. We look forward to doing an even better job of serving you in 2002 and beyond.

LETTER POLICY

The Muncie Times accepts and publishes “Letters to the Editor” under the following '■'onditions: U The letter must indicate the writer’s name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. B If the writer wishes the letter to be published under a

pseudonym, that wish will be honored. However, the writer’s full particulars must be included in the letter, along with the suggested psedonym. * Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long and should, if possible, be typed and doublespaced. Hand-written letters will also be accepted. ■ The editor reserves the

right to edit all letters for brevity, accuracy, taste, grammar and libel. M All correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. ■ Unsolicited manuscripts will only be returned if the writer includes a self-addressed, stamped envelope with correct postage.

MUNCIE TIMES STAFF

Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor John T. Lambkun Advertising Bea Moten-Foster and Richard Casey Layout Erin Hein Typesetting Samantha Overbay

Contributors: Bea Moten-Foster, Bernice Powell-Jackson, Dr. T.S. Kumbula, John Lambkun, Judy Mays and Hugh Price. The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, Ind. 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial , correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.

Trie Muncie Times appreciates your support and your business! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please call us at 741-0037 londay through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

sv; i'ias