Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I have heard that it is more difficult to find suitable adoptive families for black children and that many adoption agencies will not place them with nonblack families. I even heard of a case in which white grandparents were denied custody of a mixed-race child. Certainly more can be done to save these children! — Linden

Dear Linden: The children who are awaiting adoption in this country are disproportionately black. They desperately need parents. There are not enough blacks willing to adopt all of the black children needing parents.

I see nothing wrong with whites' adopting blacks. In fact, I see nothing wrong with any interracial adoptions. I believe the criterion for being a qualified adoptive parent is love.

There are countless examples of parents of one race successfully rearing children of another. In this multicultural society, with our vast media system, our children will have little trouble learning how to relate with their own and other races.

Dear Larry: I am an avid reader of your column, and I remember the one dealing with etiquette and your request for etiquette wishes. I have a wish that I would like to come true.

I wish men would stop spitting! One day, the weather was nice, and I was wearing sandals. As I was walking out of the grocery, a man with a small boy came in. Just as we met, he decided to spit a big one.

This spittle hit my feet. It was the nastiest thing I ever have encountered. I said, "E-e-ew," and I used a tissue to get it off.

He apologized, and I accepted the apology.

As I was cleaning my feet off, I asked him whether he thought he was a very good role model for the young boy.

I wish more men were like my husband. He is a perfect gentleman. — Judy

Dear Judy: When I was in Vietnam during the war, it was common to see men, women and children spitting without any regard for the public at large. People seemed to pay little attention to this behavior, but I never got used to it.

Read on for other etiquette wishes.

From Nadine: I wish men would stop grabbing and fondling their private parts in public. I think it is disgusting and conveys the message the person is low-class.

From Albert: My etiquette wish is for people to stop using four-letter words. It is embarrassing for me to go places with my young children where they are forced to hear such foul language.

From Ruthie: My greatest wish is for people to stop using their cell phones in restaurants, churches, classrooms and other places where one should know better. While I am complaining, I wish people would not read newspapers or other material when they're driving. I once saw a woman almost drive off the road because she was reading plus trying to put on lipstick. I wouldn't mind these people so much, except they might hit me.

From K.S.: I work downtown in a high-rise. In the mornings, the elevators are always crowded. The past three times I've gotten on, someone has passed gas. It does not take long to get to any floor. I wish the offending people would learn to hold it until they get off. Smelling flatulence in the morning is awful.

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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