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(04/15/91 9:00am)
Sweeping and picking up trash was the order of business for nearly 150 students from the University, Haverford and Bryn Mawr colleges who participated in the seventh annual Hunger Cleanup in West Philadelphia on Saturday. The event raised money for both local and international groups working to build communities and reduce poverty. Equally important, according to organizers, was the promotion of interaction between students and the West Philadelphia community. Project Coordinator Aletha Daniel, an Education graduate student, said the interaction with residents was crucial because many University students unfamiliar with outlying areas of West Philadelphia perceive the area to be a ghetto, a belief Daniel maintained is not true. Daniel and Todd Waller, the director for student-community involvement for Hunger Cleanup, cited statistics that show that problems of rape and substance abuse are as prominent in the University community as among neighboring communities, but that the University community fails to "look inward" at its own problems. Waller, Daniel and community group members added that the University community sees crime and substance abuse as unique to the neighboring lower income communities, a view with which they strongly disagreed. In addition to fund raising and community-student interaction, groups are working with students on building a playground and petting zoo for local youngsters, hoped that such sites would serve to bring often dislocated south east Asian, Indian and black community members together in the future. Existing community group leaders praised student involvement in the community, something organizers said they were concerned about. Organizers said that they were more successful in interacting with and being accepted by community members this year, and attributed this to extensive communication with existing community groups prior to the event. "This year we got involved with the community before the event," said College junior and volunteer Kimberly Colton. "We are working with community members and there is a better chance for more community involvement with these groups after today. Last year it wasn't like that." Community leaders said they were very pleased with the student involvement and hoped it would be an ongoing relationship, citing the hope and valuable time that students can offer these communities. Although most who were involved said that the logistics of the event went well, some students were slightly disappointed with the turnout from West Philadelphians. "There could have been more community members out," College freshman Abby Wittenberg said. University volunteers, however, attributed the lower than expected community involvement to the Cambodian New Year, the celebration of which was in time conflict with Saturday's cleanup.
(04/09/91 9:00am)
University alum and movie director Peter Wang spoke yesterday at Alumni Hall about his experiences as a student at the University and as a movie director. Wang became one of the first American filmmakers allowed into China when he made his directorial debut in the 1979 documentary Peking. Wang has since produced, directed and acted in the award winning A Great Wall and most recently in Laserman. Wang gave a short autobiographical speech on his years at the University, and then told of his ongoing struggle as an independent movie producer. Wang, who was born in Taiwan, spoke of his decision to go into engineering, despite an interest in the arts. He attributed his first career choice to family pressures, noting that this preference for the math and engineering fields is common in the Asian community. While working for IBM during the years after he graduated, Wang said he grew to detest company politics, corporate waste, and the helplessness he felt as a researcher in an environment where the marketing managers ran the company. He added that as a naturally inquisitive person, he could not live in an atmosphere where he was always being told "not to ask why." It was this sense of helplessness, Wang said, that caused him to dive into the world of films, after a brief stint as a professor at George Mason University. Wang attributed his career change to naivete fostered by early success with Peking and The Great Wall, noting that as an independant film producer, he has many of the same complaints as those of his previous career. Wang repeatedly emphasized the "sleazy" nature of the business aspects of film production, relative to the gentleman-like world of academia. He said there was a constant fight to maintain artistic license in the face of favors and compromises constantly sought in return for financial backing. Despite the many pitfalls of the film making process, Wang said he highly values his ability to get a message to the people and cited this as the chief reason for his career change. In a brief question-and-answer session following the lecture, Wang talked about major progress in the breakdown of Chinese stereotyping in movies, citing his own films and The Last Emperor as movies which couldn't have made it 10 years ago. Audience members said they found the lecture interesting. "He was very articulate," said College senior Sukemasa Kabayama. Annenberg School graduate student Chan-Jen Chen said that as a successful example of Asians getting acclaim in the U.S., Wang was very inspirational. "He serves a model for Asians students to go after," Chen said.
(04/08/91 9:00am)
The show at Annenberg School Theatre offered up a dynamic collage of seven unique and diverse pieces. The seven arrangements ranged in theme from rythmic interpretations of the four elements to a smoky club scene complete with fog and dancers in formal wear. Other themes included substance abuse and various elemental themes. The costumes, scenery and lighting were unique to each piece and excellently taylored to the thematic material, as was the music, which ranged from Peter Gabriel to blues. Different combinations of dancers perform in each piece. All dancers took part in the final scene, which simulated an aerobics class choreographed to the music of C&C; Music Factory, with strange punctuated excerpts from Eddie Murphy's album Comedian. Penn Dance members were pleased with their performance, especially in light of technical obstacles and reduced dress rehearsal time. Technical Director and Wharton senior Vincent Fumo attributed some of the difficulties to the run-down Annenberg School Theater lighting system, and a small stage which made curtain changes, fog machines and other technical aspects difficult to implement. But Fumo was confident that "all would be ironed out by Saturday," by which time he said it would be "perfect." Co-director Vaughnda Hilton-Lyn said things went "really well" considering that there were some technical difficulties and was pleased with the performance as were the other dancers. Audience members expressed near unanimous satisfaction after the performance and were unaware of any imperfections as the two hour performance was frequently punctuated with loud applause. Penn Dance members prided themselves on the eclectic and evolutionary nature of their performance, in which they enlisted the help of guest choreographers Peter McCoy and Norman Taylor. Members attributed much of the diversity of the nights work to the choreographers. Also choreographing were co-director Vaughnda Hilton-Lyn, dancer David Knox and dancer and College senior Julie Choderker. Penn Dance will perform Spring again tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Annenberg School Theater.
(03/28/91 10:00am)
Their upcoming performance will celebrate the season with a thematically and stylistically wide range of musically interpretive dance motifs. According to group members, the performance is will be composed of a repertoire of seven interelated pieces. Different combinations of company members will perform in each piece, but all will be part of the finale. These pieces have been choreographed by Assistant Director Vaughnda Hilton-Lyn, College senior Julie Choderker, and guest choreographers Norman Taylor and Peter McCoy. Music will range from jazz to pop. The dancers, whose last performance was Affinity in November, have been rehearsing three to four hours a night at the Gwendolyn Bye Dance and Fitness Center since January to prepare for Spring. College freshman Robin Pulis said that Penn Dance is currently "polishing" the performance. Members described their upcoming performance as both diverse and experimental, and the most challenging to date. Dancers also said that they are happy they have not been slowed by injuries or other obstacles. The dance company's performances have been consistently changing in style and theme over the years. Company member and College sophomore Allison Powell attributed this largely to the annual influx of new choreographers and directors, most recently, McCoy and Taylor. Current Assistant Director Hilton-Lyn said she is very pleased with the progress she has seen in Penn Dance. "I have seen them go from high school level to amateur-professional in the three years I have been here," Hilton-Lyn said. Penn Dance, founded in 1976, is an eclectic group whose dances cover the whole spectrum from lyrical modern dance to jazz. Spring, which will be presented Thursday April 4 through the Saturday April 6, each night at 8 p.m. at the Annenberg School Theater, is the second of Penn Dance's major performances of this academic year. Additionally, Penn Dance will make a guest performance at Villanova University later this year. Members said they are optimistic that the show will draw large crowds. "Not only are they going to see great dance, but they are going to have a great time," said College junior and Penn Dance member Jen Clagett.
(03/21/91 10:00am)
In a four-hour speech entitled "Rap and Racism," two members of the rap group Public Enemy claimed that there is pervasive racism in the U.S., especially in corporate, educational and political institutions. Speaking before a full house at Irvine Auditorium, the group's main performer, Chuck D., and public relations manager Harry Allen placed the blame for many of the black community's social problems on white institutions. As is typical of the group's often-militant music, the speech had a confrontational tone as both Chuck D. and Allen called for black empowerment and "reparations" from the white community for injustices against blacks. Speaking first, Allen, who is called the group's "Media Assassin," gave an autobiographical account of his experiences with racism in the U.S. Allen spoke of his experiences as a writer at his college newspaper and later at New York's the Village Voice. He said he and his editors often disagreed on issues involving race, and attributed this difference to a naivete bordering on racism on the part of white editors. Directing his remarks at the black members of the audience, Allen hammered at the need for blacks to understand racism and claimed that white supremacists and their institutions perpetuate the powerlessness and lesser status of blacks. "Understand racism or everything else you do will confuse you," he said. Allen cited a book by Nelly Fuller called Textbook for Victims of White Supremacy in making several suggestions for dealing with racism. He emphasized the need for blacks to watch the words of non-whites, saying these are the racist's tools of deception. Allen also put emphasis on the need for honest exchange of information and verbal civility between blacks and non-whites, and the need to halt all interracial sex. Allen ended his speech, as he began it, with a disclaimer, saying that his views and facts may be erroneous and apologizing for any inaccuracies. Chuck D., whose real name is Carlton Ridenhour, also gave a semi-autobiographical speech. He opened by saying a recent Los Angeles police beating of a black man is typical and representative of the treatment of blacks by the police and most institutions in America. "The police are here to protect and serve, but to protect and serve who?" he asked. Chuck D. also said the nation's educational system is tailored for whites and fails to provide blacks with the means to succeed in America. He blamed corporate institutions for tailoring jobs for whites and the media for stifling the voices of blacks. He centered much of his speech on urging blacks to gain media power for themselves. He said said white-controlled media has prevented black communities from disseminating timely information, crucial to blacks, on a national scale. As a result, it has been difficult for blacks to unify nationally, he said. Chuck D. added that communications are a necessary first step in uniting blacks across the nation and mobilizing them against institutional racism. He said the government should give black leadership a CNN-like news network to meet the communications needs of blacks in America. He said this would be a step toward reparations for over 400 years of white American oppression. Chuck D. said he began his involvement in the media with these communications issues in mind, first as a disc jockey at a college radio station and later as head rapper of Public Enemy. He said he has used rap as a medium to carry his message throughout America. He said Public Enemy's music reflects important issues in the black community. In closing, he appealed to the audience to create new leadership, especially in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Urban League. He said the old leaders were worn out and black youth are turning to rappers as leaders by default. Although the messages of Allen and Chuck D. were somewhat militant, the consensus among audience members was positive. Davette Shorter, a Wharton junior, said she thought "the speakers were excellent." "I believe they addressed issues that needed to be addressed within the black community," she said. "Chuck D. is someone the black people may be able to rally behind and look upon as a leader." College sophomore David Abramson said he thought the white supremacism Allen and Chuck D. rallied against was "definitely a force, but not as prominent as they say." He said he felt they were not entirely objective. College junior Robert Engs said he understood Allen's message. "I think Harry Allen was probably the best part of the show," he said. "This University is a prime example of everything he said." Only about half of the audience remained for the almost four-hour speech, but nearly all of the audience stayed for at least 90 minutes. At the start of the speech, the entire auditorium, including the balconies, was nearly filled. College sophomore Bill King, however, was disappointed even more students didn't hear the speech. "The people who weren't here tonight were the ones who really needed it," he said.
(03/05/91 10:00am)
In the wake of the Persian Gulf War, several speakers discussed what would happen in the case of a military draft before a small audience Saturday afternoon. The conference, held outdoors behind the Sweeten Alumni Center, was titled "A conference about military service, the draft and your legal options," and sponsored by the Community Draft Counseling and Information Network. During the opening hour of the conference, speakers discussed the ramifications of the Gulf War and the need to fight for peace. Art Dougherty, a member of Veterans for Peace, said that now that the war is over, the U.S. should turn to problems of homelessness, AIDS, and other social ills. Dougherty stressed the need for the peace movement to maintain its validity. Clare Kirk, a Temple University student, discussed discrimination against homosexuals and lesbians in the armed forces. She claimed that the military was inconsistant both in its definitions of homosexuality and its policy towards them. Several of the speakers said that the military's discrimination against homosexuals today is similar to that used against blacks earlier this century. Speakers said that they were pleased with the decisions by many universities to end Reserve Officer Training Corps programs. Peace activist and former Army reservist Stephanie Atkinson, who said she was dishonorably discharged for being a conscientious objector, gave a biographical account of her experience with the Army and her efforts to obtain an exemption from active duty due to conscientious objector status. Atkinson said that minorities are disproportionately represented in the military and concentrated in largely low-tech fields in which upward mobility is limited. She said that while in the Army she "felt guilt by association" by being involved with an institution that perpetuates discrimination. For the remainder of the conference speakers discussed a hypothetical draft and means available of gaining an exemption. Leading off this part of the conference was Jim Feldman, a lawyer for the Central Committee for Conscientious Objection. Feldman said that the Pentagon has designed an efficient draft plan that could be implemented on under a week's notice. "It's very important for people to know their rights now, because when it happens, it will be too late," he said. Feldman said that the draft plan would have some exemptions, but added they will be difficult to obtain. Following Feldman, several speakers talked about the status of specific cases of conscientious objectors who refused to fight in the Persian Gulf War. Dave Mailen, a member of Act for Peace, and Lori Salem, a Temple graduate student and the event's organizer, said they were "disappointed in the turnout" of about 15 people. Salem said that since most fighting stopped in the Gulf last week, the peace movement has felt less urgency for combatting the military. She said the movement must not be complacent, and that she hopes the event will combat the "antiseptic picture" of the military provided by the Bush administration. University of the Arts sophomore Dawn Osborne said that the event was important because now that the war and the immediacy of the peace movement are over, "we have to figure out where were going now."
(02/04/91 10:00am)
Actor Giancarlo Esposito, best known for playing the role of Buggin' Out in Do the Right Thing, discussed racism Friday, bringing peals of laughter from his audience while speaking on a subject that often evokes tension. In the speech, which lasted over two hours, Esposito spoke of how racism has affected his acting career and his life. Esposito -- who appeared in Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, School Daze and Mo' Better Blues -- said he began acting at the age of nine in an off-Broadway play. Esposito spoke of his lifelong problem with getting roles that were compatible with his personality. His mixed black and Italian heritage, Esposito said, conflicted with stereotypical black traits, forcing him to adapt to the expectations of the directors. Esposito recalled his first professional experience, a modeling job he did in 1960 for Sears. "The first thing they wanted to do was cut my hair off," Esposito said. "The people who were doing the spot just felt that, 'Well, you know, his hair is not a black person's hair, it's not and we just have to cut his hair' . . . and I remember feeling awful about that, because it was my hair and I dug it." Esposito also cited experiences from his youth when people told him, "You're not really what we consider black enough." He also discussed the perceptions people had of him after his guest appearances on Miami Vice, and The Equalizer, where he portrayed a gun runner and a drug dealer. He said he spoke to a group of black teenagers who saw his roles as real and not fictional, and he said that the experience awakened him to the impact of the media in the perpetuation of violence and racism in the U.S. He said that he felt obligated not to play these types of roles again. "If there is one less black person showing our youth this, that's good," he said. Esposito said that America's have become addicted to violent entertainment, especially conflict between minorities. Citing news coverage of the war in the Persian Gulf as an example, Esposito said that the media concentrates on conflicts at the expense of topics such as drugs, AIDS and homelessness. College senior Franklyn Arthur, chair of program planning for the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, which sponsored the event, said she was impressed with Esposito's speech. "I enjoyed it, he didn't really tell us what to do," Arthur said. "He presented us with a lot of things to think about -- things we don't really look at." Other students in attendance said they enjoyed the event. "The speech was lively and entertaining," said Wharton senior Dawn Sutton.
