COLUMN: "A Conspiracy for Change"

From Harold Ford's "Papa Don't Take No Mess," Spring '92.From Harold Ford's "Papa Don't Take No Mess," Spring '92.· Oliver Stone's latest controversial contribution to the Hollywood landscape, JFK, has ignited its share of debate. Political and establishment pundits alike agree that Stone's fabricated vision of history is flawed and deplorable. Some have attributed his false understanding of history to his tragic experiences in Vietnam. Others say that Stone simply used too many drugs during the 1960s. Whatever the reason, a lot of political big whigs think that Stone is wrong - dead wrong. Personally I liked the movie, and I also agree with Stone's fundamental premise: Lee Harvey Oswald did not kill John F. Kennedy alone. Any sensible person who sees the movie and studies the basic facts surrounding the assassination should come to this conclusion. The one possible exception is President Bush who, after viewing the movie, will probably respond with his standard: "This . . . will . . . not . . . stand!" -- and he'll mean it too. If you haven't seen the movie, I suggest you do for two reasons. First, there's nothing worse than a self-appointed expert on a movie who hasn't seen the movie. And second, it is one of the most important movies of the last ten years. Even if you don't like it, you'll have to admit that it is a good movie. Stone goes on in the film to accuse an impressive list of high-powered federal and local governments, agencies, departments and elected officials of conspiring to assassinate JFK. What then follows is the most far-reaching indictment of the American political system ever seen on a television or movie screen. It was even worse than the "Clarence Thomas and Long Dong Silver Confirmation Hearing." But what I am forced to ask is, why is everyone so alarmed about this movie? It's obvious that people are scared or they would not have jumped to censor and criticize the movie so quickly. Before the movie hit the theaters, Time and Newsweek devoted their cover stories to a full court, no-holds-barred campaign to discredit the film. No one had seen the movie yet when these guys tore it apart. Why? Was it because they thought he was lying? Say, for the sake of argument, that he is lying. This certainly is not the first -- and won't be the last -- time that someone lied and made money in America. All of the controversy and hoopla the movie has generated just makes me think that Stone may be on to something - he just might be right in contending that the military complex orchestrated the assassination. But if you don't think that Stone is right, that's okay too, because you may be right. However, the movie is much greater than JFK or Oliver Stone. This movie, at its core, seeks to challenge the fabric of the American character, the status quo. And it succeeds. The reluctance of many individuals to acknowledge Stone's hypothesis extends beyond childish stubborness. It borders upon being undemocratic. All that Stone has done is ungracefully demand that we as Americans require more of our government and our institutions. As a result of this movie, maybe people will pay closer attention to issues rather than, say, tabloid gossip on the Clintons' alleged marital problems. As a result of Stone's efforts, maybe people will start voting in greater numbers and with more frequency. · The power of communication -- T.V., newspapers, radio and film -- seems to climb higher and higher as technology advances. Not that this is some big surprise, but, as we enter 1992, the power of communcation is peerless. 1991 witnessed Time magazine bestow its "Man of the Year" honor on communications mogul, sports franchise owner and now Jane Fonda's husband Ted Turner. This marks one of the first instances that Time has given this award to someone who was not always in the news. Instead, they gave it to someone who made the news. Maybe next year they will give it to someone who challenged the news. · Harold Ford is a senior History major from Memphis, Tennessee. Papa Don't Take No Mess appears alternate Thursdays.

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