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Show Mounias: “yes: “inority Reporter & Sentinel, August 24, 1990 7 News Alternative to gangs, drugs is Racism is on the Rise purpose of new theater group And Schools Must Respond by Ken White | © Revival of Bigotry Must Be Stopped Taylor, Leroy Wilson, Diana Saffold, _ Review-Journal You might say that a new local theater group is on a mission from God. **The whole concept is to offer: alternatives for deprived people in the community to express themselves, Other than through gangs and violence,’’ says Randy Williams, director of the group’s production of ‘The First Coming of Henry,” a three-act “‘spiritual comedy.”’ The group performed at a senior citizens center Wednesday, and will present the play to a youth group Thursday. The first “‘real’’ performance, before a paying audience, will be a fundraiser August 18 at Zion Methodist Church. ‘‘Henry’’ makes its premiere performance on August 25-26 at the Cine Boulevard theater at 3910 South Maryland Parkway. The cast includes youths and adults in a show that deals with ‘‘heavy’”’ subject matter, but is done ‘‘with a light touch,’’ Williams says. The play, written by Tina Miller of Los Angeles, is a “‘spiritual comedy that deals with alcoholism,’ Williams said. Henry ‘‘is having problems with his family’’ because of his alcoholism, but. he ‘‘comes to grips with his problems and realizes he needs the help of a higher power,’’ Williams said. The play’s cast consists of Larry Squalls, Evelyn Sawyer, LaTonya Lucille Bryant, Barbara Wright, J.D. Thornton, and Larry Cook. Most of the cast has no experience in theater, with the exception of Saffold, Wilson, and Wright. Director Williams attended UCLA’s theater program, and has done plays here, in New York, and Los Angeles. Getting the group up and running has taken time, Williams said. ‘Anything new to a group of people is going to take time. This helps people to learn to take direction and gives them an outlet to express their emotions,’’ he said. The subject matter is_ realistic because “‘we’re trying to deal with subjects kids can deal with and relate to,’’ Williams said. Production expenses for lights, props, professional sound, and theater rental are paid by the group, but Williams says he isn’t concerned with making money on the play. “You never know how successful anything will be until you do it,’’ he says. “‘I hope it is successful, but if it isn’t, at least we tried. ‘We adults have to save our kids, we have to make the changes.”’ by Keith Geiger (NU) — Recent education re- form reports insist, almost without exception, that the most pressing challenge to America’s security is economic in nature. There’s truth Graffiti and Tensions Racist graffiti appears on school lockers. The swastika, spray-painted in day-glow colors, greets worshippers approaching their synagogue. in that observation. But it’s not the . Corporate PR flaks smugly defend whole truth. cozy relations with the apartheid What these analyses omit is the government of South Africa. Unieasily aroused. We learn anew that issue of national character. As a versity presidents spout platitudes bigotry never rests. result, they also omit any reference in efforts to ease Black/White tenPrejudice-reduction lessons must to the enemy within, the enemy we sion turning campuses into battle- be taught in every classroom, intethought we had vanquished. grounds. Ethnic groups trade eth- grated into every discipline. And I refer to racism. And my sug- nic slurs. they must be reinforced by parents gestion is that education reform will This discord becomes a prelude and community. The most urgent go astray if we become so fixated to violence. In city and suburb and lesson we must teach our young is on the economic challenge from hamlet, the hopes, dreams, and that a house divided against itself beyond our borders that we ignore bodies of racism’s victims lie bat- cannot stand. the moral challenge here at home. tered. This carnage teaches us once (Keith Geiger is president of the Let’s face facts. Upgrading our again that racism is a light sleeper, National Education Association.) students’ academic skills and restructuring our schools will count The Mountain West Minority Reporter & Sentinel for little — in fact, they may not count at all — if we splinter into USPS # application pending two, three, or four deeply divided 6363 West King Valley Drive * West Valley City, Utah 84120 Americas, each eyeing the others with fear, hostility, or even hatred. This depressing prospect is no longer remote. No longer can we say that racism is on the decline. Racism is resurgent. And its insidious manifestations are everywhere, every day. M. ARTHERNER GIVENS Publisher-Editor JACQUENETTA L. GIVENS Classified Advertising and Typing CHARLES M. GIVENS Sports Editor MRS. DORIS J. GIVENS Classified Ads and Office Manager STEPHEN D. GIVENS Advertising and Distribution Subscriptions $10 for 6 months $18 per year Published bimonthly JeLLOG Coane -CAN’T TOUCH ree THIS: Short hair, medallions and baggy pants are rapper MC. Hammer's style. Styles of cross culture dressing If you want to join the cross-cultural posse, you must dress the part. Here are tips on the various modes of Afrocen-chic. Grasshopper Musical Influences: De La AWEALTH OF XPERIENCE TOWORK. Soul, Queen Latifah, Jungle Brothers. Hair: Twisted braids. Dress: Bright floral shirts, oversized overalls. Accessories: Platform shoes, floppy hats, Guatemala bags, African beads. Reggae and ska maniacs Musical Influences: Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, the Selectors, Steel Poles. Hair: Dreadlocks. Dress: Caribbean shirts, jeans. print or batik Accessories: Bandanna headbands, woven sandals. Rappers Musical Hammer, Influences: Ice T, M.C. Boo-Ya Tribe, Public Enemy, Digital Underground. Hair: Fades — shaved sides and very tall flat tops. Dress: Sweats or big baggy harem pants, L.A. Raider’s sweatshirt or t-shirts. Accessories: African medallions, leather pendants and beads, high tops, L.A. Raiders caps. At West One Bank, our staff doesn’t just live in this community. We're involved. Coaching Special Olympics, counseling teenagers, teaching reading skills, and giving back to our friends and neighbors as much as possible. It’s that kind of experience we bring to work each and every day. So when you need financial assistance, imagine what we can do for you. West One Bank. Where peuple make the difference. And have | for over 120 years. WESTQNE BANK Member FDIC |