Being a 17-year-old Niles High senior and interested in going on to your university, I was reading The Observer that my mother brought home.

I came across a letter that really bugged me. An African-American alumnus had written to the editor in regards to being asked if he was a janitor while visiting campus. He mentioned how much embarrassment it caused him and asked what we are doing to build new attitudes concerning racial sensitivity.

First of all, since when is being a hard-worker embarrassing? My mother is a janitor at Notre Dame, and I can honestly say I am proud of her and her job. To me, it shows that she is a dedicated person — not only to her job, but to her family.

Secondly, how can you tie this situation to being racial? It was an honest mistake. We are going into the new millennium and should realize that people make honest mistakes and move on!

We should not have to stand here and and try to turn it into something it is not.

Carrie Leonard

Senior

Niles High School

August 27, 1999

• Four Views and an Occasional Point
  
• Ban on gay ads is outrageous, immoral
  
• Security needs to lighten up
  
• Hard work should not be source of embarrassment
  
• ND contract with UA Telescope disheartening