COLUMN: Don't run away from Relays

From Michael Mugmon's, "The Way It Is," Fall '98 From Michael Mugmon's, "The Way It Is," Fall '98 Obea Moore grabbed the baton and ran. In the anchor leg of his 4x400-meter relay, he dashed across the finish line in a phenomenal 45.08 seconds -- the fastest split ever recorded for a high school runner. After his exhilarating performance, the high school senior sat on Franklin Field's infield for more than two hours, signing autographs for throngs of young fans. While millions of track-and-field enthusiasts caught Moore's powerful run on national television, only a handful of Penn students made the easy walk to Franklin Field. Why did most Penn students choose to stay at home while the country's largest and most historic relay carnival played out on their very doorstep? Fear, prejudice and racism. Fear of a predominately black crowd that descends on West Philadelphia for an extended weekend in late April. Prejudice against people who bring something different than stereotypical Penn culture to campus. Fear of criminal activities and the sheer mass of people lining Walnut and 33rd streets. Fear of something out of the ordinary. Basically, many of the same reasons that keep some students from traveling west beyond the mythical 40th Street barrier keep them from attending one of the finest and most enjoyable sporting events in the world. With Penn Relays approaching faster than Michael Johnson in a Mountain Dew ad, it's time to correct any misconceptions about the event -- and tell you why you should catch as much of the Penn Relay Carnival as you can. Roughly two weeks from now, the University will host the 104th annual Penn Relay Carnival. Although the event offers a good deal more than classic athleticism, the reason most people attend is to experience pure, unadulterated track and field. According to Penn Relays Director Dave Johnson, almost 90,000 spectators turned out last year to watch more than 18,000 athletes compete. Over the three days of athletic competition, events will range from the prestigious college men's 100-meter dash to the high school girls' pole vault to the masters race for those over 50. Where else do amateur athletes get the opportunity to compete alongside veritable track stars? Unfortunately, some Penn students have simply ignored the exciting athleticism of Relays -- opting instead to focus on the make-up of the crowd the event typically draws. Traditionally, major track and field competitions have always attracted a large number of black spectators. As a spectator at each of the last two Penn Relays, I can tell you that the composition of the Franklin Field crowd is hardly any different. Consequently, many aspects of the accompanying carnival are geared toward the black community. Carnival vendors and the Penn Relays concert feature as the most prominent examples. During the three-day event, street vendors line the corridors leading to Franklin Field, selling everything from hot dogs to Relays T-shirts to African sculptures. For the most part, the vendors are black, and as a result, the market atmosphere offers a glimpse into a facet of American culture that Penn students typically do not, but should, encounter. Sponsored by the Social Planning and Events Committee to Represent Undergraduate Minorities (SPECTRUM), the Penn Relays concert has long been considered the "black" Spring Fling concert. When one considers that this year's "white" Spring Fling concert line-up includes the great Maceo Parker -- one of soul music's black pioneers, the concept of a "black" concert seems extremely archaic. Busta Rhymes, the always entertaining rapper, will perform at this year's Penn Relays concert. Because of his big name and excellent showmanship, he should draw whites, blacks and all other colors alike. Anyone who wants to have a good time shouldn't think twice about taking part in this Penn Relays corollary. Regardless of athletics, culture and music, some Penn students still refuse to walk around campus during Penn Relays because they are afraid of turning into victims of crime. They might just have a point on that score. A carjacking and 19 thefts numbered among last year's Relays weekend crimes. And a near riot forced the Wawa at 38th and Spruce streets to close for two hours in the middle of the night. But considering that the carnival boosts the population of West Philadelphia by more than 100,000 people for a weekend, students should expect that crime will increase slightly. And while that figure means that students should be extra cautious, it definitely does not mean they should avoid the carnival altogether. Their fear, however, begs an interesting question: would Penn students be uncomfortable if 100,000 white people invaded the area? If the tables were turned, I find it hard to believe they would have the same sentiments toward walking around campus over Relays weekend. Some Penn students will nonetheless choose to stay indoors at night during Relays weekend. Others will decide not to check out Busta Rhymes. Others won't have a chat with a street vendor. I'll grudgingly accept those facts. But I'd hate to think that Penn students would shun the amazing track and field competition -- the core of the Penn Relay Carnival -- because of unfounded fears and racism. Personally, I wouldn't want to let any crazy prejudice interfere with watching another Obea Moore run the best race of his life.