Screen colors after leaving X

[David Shifflett <shifflett_(_at_)_nps_(_dot_)_navy_(_dot_)_mil>]

I have a shell./script which I use to start X sessions
(done via startx)
When I exit the X session, sometimes the screen colors
are virtually unreadable.
With dark purple letters on a black background.
ANy ideas why this might be happening,
and how to reset the colors to white on black.
Thanks
David Shifflett