By Staff
To the editor:
I attended W.S. Neal Middle School's eighth grade graduation last Friday night. I am a sister to one of the students that was being honored. I had a great time and was very impressed at the trouble that the teachers and parents went to for this passage into a new world. However, I was shocked at the time warp that occured in the last part of the program.
While going though the long list of students appointed "best of," I was in disbelief at the catagory of "best looking." And I quote … "best looking black boy … best looking white boy … best looking black girl … best looking white girl."
As I understandit, the students voted these young people into the title and not being that far out of school myself, I understand the category well. What I don't understand is why there was a need to step back to the days of segragation. I know the point behind it. So that no one would feel left out, but if that was in fact the point then why were people being left out that were Native American? Why was there no provision for Irish-Americans or Asian-Americans?
I'm not saying that we should have spent all night going though every single national origin; quite the contrary, I'm simply saying that we should be past the point of separating people and move on to a time where we are all one people. If I learned anything during my trip back to eighth grade it was that prejudice is taught by the very people who are supposed to be teaching us common ground.
Sincerly,
Brandy Hitson