European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 24, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Since our racial scene is botched lets touch it up cow Nimz White item paws Divide us and the is my amp Ketol Milf we a a lets get to it Knowe Schower Itu is awkward err test ask questions be honest 0 a a a is mame jew people see in Aegis amp 1 you la be surprised Quot it wont is Lect Stincel flew Ming of Heusa cur Soitry and people change Alon amp racial lines but done to sex incr Mitic ians to change i a gtd hot one me Varep Fynas it a Fork net Eter. Atm hmm an eur Wiliam Wright in the Wake of the . Riots we Are left with Many unanswered questions regarding race relations in the United states. We see White police officers clearly beating an african american Man and in retaliation after the acquittal of these officers we witness the brutal beating of a White truck Driver in what seems to be revenge. Amid the debates opinions and emotions that have risen after the trial our attentions have focused on an Issue that is difficult to speak out on american race relations. Watching european news programs regarding the riots it is easy to see that America is considered a land where Justice and Equality done to reach All people bringing to Light the condition of the african american Community and the Bias in the criminal jul Tice system. The nation and the world were shocked when the verdict was handed Down acquitting the police officers of the charges filed against them after the beating of Rodney King. Then came an explosion of the people in ., plus massive protests elsewhere in America. The Media social scientists lawmakers and everyday people suddenly began to Analyse the causes and reasons behind the violence and looting. While forgetting that it was the apparent failure of the Justice system that sparked the tragedy to begin with we concentrate on the televised images of troops sent to restore Law and order. Reporting on the causes of the violence seems to fade with each passing Day but As history teaches us to ignore the present encourages the past to repeat itself. Looking Back at the 1963 Church bombing in Birmingham we Are reminded that injustice begets violence. When the Alabama state government failed to seek out and prosecute the guilty parties in the bombing in which four Black children were murdered citizens poured into the streets. President Johnson was forced to Send troops into Birmingham to restore Law and order to what was a racist state government. Such memories can bring out the dark passages of american history and remind us that had Many of the racial issues been solved the violence and protests we have just witnessed would not have happened. Not until the nation educates itself on the issues of race will we see an end to this destruction. It is sad to see that the powerless and voiceless feel that the Only Way for them to receive attention is through violence but what other options Are there when the country turns a deaf ear even sadder is the fact that the King verdict became the focal Point and that police brutality is Only the tip of the iceberg in the legitimate grievances of Many people not Only in South Central los Angeles but also in Many other comm nites throughout America. How do we solve this problem and show to the world that America is a True democracy do we place american cities under martial Law do we build physical wails around the social and economic Walls that already Divide the races the answer dwells in american desire to accept and respect others regardless of differences. It dwells in truth and sharing Power within a diverse society. The White majority has a responsibility to Amend its thinking toward the african american. Likewise the african american has the responsibility to Amend his thinking of self and break the Cycle of his mental and social conditioning. This is the Root of the american race relations problem. To ignore the facts will not make the problem go away. Keeping in mind that Justice begets peace and injustice does not it is Wise to say that sending troops into los Angeles is Only a cure for the symptom and not a cure for the condition. Serving the people with Justice will encourage them to abide by the Law and contribute to the building of society the past must not repeat itself and if we wish to avoid tragedies like this from reoccurring America must Wake up. Spec. William Wright works in Numberg Germany. Send in your column plus a photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Opening laugh Moser Zurich Switzerland re copyright f 1992. Cartoonists amp in Toms Syndicate from the cover .4-7 missing and remembering. Sidelights.8-9 David Dinkins bounces Back in new York. Anisiy Rooney on the arresting Issue of cops. Odds amp ends .10 puzzling question for miss manners. In tune .11 a look at Cosby with no laughs. This weeks films.12-13 Chuck Vinch Quot City of Joy Quot worthwhile. Cafes circuit listings. Television listings .14-16 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home entertainment 17 Quot the butchers Rife Quot cuts a decent Story. On Parade .18 skater Bowman May land Gold a bund. Contents voices .21 Linda Ellerbee on hot Ross Perot. Words amp wit .24 Tony Konheiser conies around on being Square. Books.25 studs Terkel is or. Chicago. Celebs.26-27 Oliver Stone Laura dem Rosie Perez. Last laugh. 28 Dave Barry beefs up on Montana. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Bucky Fox Art direction Wes Booher production Susie Stonum editorial assistance Marian Hamilton Louis Pierce Page 2 a sunday May 24, 1992
