xt7np55dfx7g https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7np55dfx7g/data/mets.xml The Kentucky Kernel Kentucky -- Lexington The Kentucky Kernel 1992-03-10 Earlier Titles: Idea of University of Kentucky, The State College Cadet newspapers  English   Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Kentucky Kernel  The Kentucky Kernel, March 10, 1992 text The Kentucky Kernel, March 10, 1992 1992 1992-03-10 2020 true xt7np55dfx7g section xt7np55dfx7g  

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By TAMMY GAY
Staff Writer

Most college students only wor-
ry about studies, their social lives

Darin Simpson has business on
his mind.

Simpson, a freshman at Lexing-
ton Community College, started
school -— and his restaurant,
H.R.H. Dumplin’s —- in August

and maybe part-time jobs. But

“I hadn't any experience in res-
taurants at all," said Simpson, a
native of Owensboro, Ky.

“Me and my father ate in a res-
taurant, a Dumplin‘s in Munay,
Ky., and I thought it was really
outstanding, and it was some-
thing Lexington needed,” he said.

“We decided this would be a
good location, and I would go to
school up here."

Simpson and his father re-

JEFF BURLEVII Kernel Stall

STRICTLY BUSINESS: Lexington Community College freshman Darin Simpson opened a fran—
chise of H.R.H. Dumplin's, a specialty bake shop, in August. He enjoys juggling work and school.

LCC freshman owns, runs
local specialty bake shop

searched the restaurant chain and
talked to the franchise owner.

They settled on opening a Dum-
plin's in Lexington.

After training at the Royal
Academy for Dumplin’s, he stan—
ed the job.

Simpson spends his days going
back and forth between his class-
es and work.

See SIMPSON, Page 2

W .. .ntstnceten

Tuesday, March 10. 1992

Studies differ on rate

of higher-ed retention

By NICK COMER
Senior Staff Writer

Are too many of Kentucky‘s high
school graduates starting college
but not sticking around for a de-
gree?

Former Gov. Wallace Wilkinson
thinks so.

Wilkinson, a UK trustee, attacked
Kentucky's “unacceptably high
non-completion rate" in a guest col-
umn that appeared in the Jan. 17
Kentucky Kernel.

But indications are that the prob-
lem of retention is not nearly as
acute among Kentucky’s college
students as it is nationwide.

Wilkinson cited a study by the
Educational Testing Service, of
Princeton, NJ, which found that

only 24 percent of 1980 high school
graduates nationwide had received
a bachelor's degree in ans. sciences
or professional seven years later.

But, according to a study by the
state Council on Higher Education,
44 percent of the students who en-
tered a state public college in 1982
had received an undergraduate de-
gree five years later while 12 per-
cent were still enrolled in a degree
program.

Gary Cox. executive director of
CHE, was pleased with Kentucky‘s
numbers.

“Obviously, our goal would be
100 percent,” he said. “But com-
pared to the national figures, that's
substantially better."

But Cox pointed out that the root
of the differences might be found in

 

Candidates assess SGA role

the fact that more Kentucky stu-
dents arc entering two—year institu-
tions now than in the early 19805.

“Of course with national figures,
you’re talking ab0ut a whole range
of different institutions,“ Cox said.
“I suspect that we had a larger per-
centage, at least at that time, of stu-
dents attending four-year institu-
tions."

Fewer graduates of two-year in-
stitutions go on to receive a bache-
lor's degree than students who enter
a four-year college in the first
place, he noted. A CHE study of
those who entered Kentucky com-
munity colleges in the fall of 1984
found that only 9 percent had re-
ceived a four-year degree by spring

See GRADUATES, Page 2

 

 

 

 

Newly-formed LAMBDA
invites gays, non-gays to join

By CHRISTOPHER McDAVID
Staff Writer

Contrary to what the name might
suggest, UK LAMBDA is not part
of the greek system but rather a
campus organization for gays, lesbi-
ans and bisexuals.

Formerly Gays and Lesbians
United for Education, the group
changed its name to include bisexu-
a1 and heterosexual supporters.

UK LAMBDA consists of about
30 members from ages 18 to 50. It
is a social and political support
group that sponsors alcohol-free ac-
tivities for its members.

The group formed an alliance
with Western Kentucky University,
University of Louisville and Centre
College for information sharing and

mutual support. Joint events have
been planned for April, and a con-
ference at UK is planned for fall.

The letter lambda has been
adopted as an international symbol
for gay, lesbian and bisexual libera-
tion.

Chuck Smith, who belongs to
LAMBDA, said members chose the
symbol because it is “inclusive of
everyone."

The Kinsey Institute, which is
based at Indiana University and re-
searches sexual behavior and activi-
ty, states that while 10 percent of
the population is exclusively homo-
sexual, approximately 40 percent of
the population has had at least one
homosexual encounter.

Members recently traveled to
Vanderbilt University to attend a

three-day conference where they
formed an alliance of Southern les-
bigay student groups.

Eighteen universities were repre-
sented, including a large contingent
from Georgia, who was celebrating
a recent decision by the state board
of trustees to add a sexual orienta-
tion non-discrimination clause for
all state universities. No university
in Kentucky except for Transylva-
nia University currently has such a
clause.

UK LAMBDA meets the first
and third Thursday of each month.
Previous meetings have featured
speakers such as representatives of
Parents and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (P-FLAG), AIDS Volun-
teers of Lexington (AVOL) and
state Rep. Ernesto Scorsone.

 

in campaign for new library

By KELLEY POPHAM
Assistant News Editor

As Student Government Association presidential
candidates pledge support for the Commonwealth
Library campaign, student campaign chairwoman
Erica McDonald questions whether the support is
anything more than political rhetoric.

The role SGA will assume in raising funds for the
proposed library will be one of the main issues ad-
dressed during presidential campaigning this spring.

Candidates view SGA's role in the campaign dif-
ferently. However, all candidates affirm their per-
sonal support and urge students to donate.

McDonald said it concerns her is that only one
presidential candidate has donated to the campaign.

“I want the people walking around and kissing ba-
bies the next few weeks to mean what they say.“
McDonald said.

McDonald also urges candidates to wear pledge
pins given to those who have donated before asking

others to give.

“I don't like people to use the campaign as a
mechanism to move forward." she said.

SGA Arts and Sciences Senator Jay lnglc is a
member of the Student Library Endowment Com—
mittee and is the only presidential candidate who has
donated to the campaign.

lngle said his running mate, Senator at Large Jill
Cranston, and he have taken art active role since the
campaign began. Their participation is an attempt to
create what he said he hopes is a more user-friendly
library.

Despite that involvement, he said he will not set
aside funds for the library within the SGA budget
next year.

“I don‘t think it ‘would be appropriate for SGA to
get involved with fund raising. As student govern
ment president, I would urge everybody to get in-
volvcd," he said.

See LIBRARY, Page 2

Two SGA senators propose
debate in addition to GPAC

By KYLE FOSTER
News Editor

In an attempt to “provide a voice for a majority“
of UK students, two Student Government Associa-
tion senators want to hold an election debate, made
up of a political action committee composed of cam-
pus organizations.

Senator at Large David King and Graduate School
Senator Adrian Jones have dubbed the debate
“PAC." They said PAC would be a stronger voice
for all UK students than the Greek Political Action
Committee.

During its four years of existence, the GPAC de-
bate, which will be held March 29, has been the only
debate held for SGA presidential candidates. The
GPAC is made up of two representatives from each
social sorority and social fraternity chapter at UK.

Students want poll

By JOE BRAUN
Assistant Editorial Editor

law school students are circulating a petition to
restore a voting station to the College of Law for the
1992 spring elections. after Studcnt Govcmment As-
sociation Spring Elections Board chairman Jim
Kruspe decided not to place one there.

Students are hoping their petition Will encourage
Kruspe to rctum the voting station to their building.

Kruspe said their petition “really won‘t change
anything."

He removed the voting station at the law school so
he could place an extra machine at Margaret 1. King

but it is not representative of all L'K groups. Jones
said.

“(FAQ is not to take an and-greek stance.“ he
said. “But this group will choose the best candidate
regardless of being greek or not."

Traditionally. GPAC has endorsed a candidate
who is a member of the UK greek community. Also.
every candidate receiving a GPA(‘ endorsement has
won the presidential election.

King said the most important aspect of PAC is
that it would be another voice besides GPAC.

The two senators are proposing that the political
action committee consist of two representatives
from the following organizations: Student Organiza-
tions Assembly, Commuter Student Board, UK As.
sociation of Non-traditional Students, Residence

See PAC, Page 2

back in law school

Library. the largest and busiest voting locann on
campus, he said.

UK Student Bar Association President Doug
Kcmpcr is organizing the petition at the law school
to try to return the polling location to the law school.

Kcmpcr said the removal of the voting booth in-
side tlte law school “almost guarantees that no morc
than a handful of law school students will vote.
They‘ll be guaranteed a potential 450 votes would
not be cast."

He said students at the law school tend to isolatc
thcmsclvcs frotn the rest of campus, and, because of
this. voter turnout from the law school would be ex-

See PETITION, Page 2

 

 

_ spears

UK TODAY

 

INSIDE

 

next season from an

injury.
Story, Page 5.

 

Jeff Brassow is optimistic about returning

anterior cruciate

away.

 

 

WRFL—FM and the Student Center Food
Court kick 011 spring break from 11 am. to
2 pm. Coupons, sundries will be given

‘Masala’ examines
love, racism.
Review, Page 3.

 

Diversions ...................... 3
Sports ............................. 5
Viewpoint ....................... 6
Classifieds ..................... 7

 

 

 

 I - Mucky Kernel, Tuesday, March to, 1992

Library

Continued from page 1

Ingle said his priority in student
government would be student ser-
vices. However, he said he would
support any decision made by the
SGA Senate about student fees’ ap.
propriation.

Presidential candidate Dave Eas-
ley, a finance and accounting junior,
has taken a more passive approach
to library fund raising and, unlike
Ingle and other candidates, does not
plan to lobby for funds within state
g0vemment.

Easley said he will concentrate on
increasing the number of scholar-
ships to benefit students “right here
and right now.”

“To be honest, a lot of us will
have graduated by the time the li-
brary is built," Easley said.

After talking with UK President
Charles Wethington, Easley said he
is glad the library will be paid for
by private funding.

He also said he urges students to
donate but added “if students don't
want to, they shouldn‘t be forced to
(give) (with) times the way they
are "

While Easley said UK has plenty
of resources as compared to other
universities its size, he would like to
see the new library extend its hours
for students.

Candidate Reed Good agreed that
stressing 100 percent participation
in the library campaign is unreason-
able.

Good, Kirwan Tower’s assistant
hall director, has overseen library

fund raising within Kirwan Tower
but has not donated.

He plans to lobby in state g0v-
emment and has some definite ide-
asonwhathewouldliketoseefor
students in the new structure.

Good said a multicultural-center
area is needed for students — not
only to understand the diverse urti-
versity population but also to rec-
ognize that the world is moving to-
ward an international market and
cultural understanding is impera-
tive.

Candidate Kirk Haynes, a health
and safety education junior, also
expressed definite views concem-
ing features that should be included
in the library, like a current periodi-
cal reading room, more copy ma-
chines and more handicap-
accessible computer terminals.

Haynes said he plans to contact
state senators and representatives,
if elected, to tour the Margaret l.
King Library to illustrate the need
for a new facility.

Haynes said he doesn‘t see how
any candidate can answer whether
he will appropriate money for the
library because questions have been
raised about whether student fees
should be mandated. However, he
said he will not support donating
more to the library than he would
to other organizations, thus ensur-
ing SGA's equal support of campus
programs.

Not unlike the other candidates,
Alan Vick said he recognizes the
need for the library but is con-
cerned about spending student fees
for its construction.

“I don't want to take the money

 

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now for something that would not
be built until we're long gone.“
Vick said.

Healsosaidhewouldliketosee
the new library benefit students
through tutoring programs. Because
UK's Writing Center has helped so
many students, he said. a general
math and chemistry center would
benefit the student population.

Although Vick does not plan to
support SGA funding of the library,
he would like to see students con~
tact political higher-ups.

“We’ve got to have support and
encourage people to call up that 1-
8“) number to their representative.
Nobody ever calls these people.
If everybody on the campus would
call up, they would have to listen."
Vick said.

Although he has not donated,
SGA comptroller Pete November.
also a presidential candidate, is
making the library campaign SGA’s
main fund-raising project

While November said he wants
students on campus to contact their
representative and stress the impor-
tance of their support in the cam
paign, he does not feel every 100
percent panicipation from students
is necessary — because of financial
strain.

McDonald has announced her
support of November in the election
but disagrees with November's con-
centration on fund raising.

“The library is not going to be
built by SGA’s saying they’re going
to have a fund-raiser,” she said.

Instead McDonald said she would
like to see SGA give support to and
stress the necessity for the cam-

paisn-

McDonald said every student at
UK can give, but it is a matter of
prioritizing.

“Some people don’t want to give
up the keg. It’s a matter of sacri-
fice,” she said.

 

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PAC

Continued from page 1

Hall Association, International Stu-
dents Council. Disabled Students
Union. UK Black Roundtable.
Graduate Students Association and
the LCC Association of Students.
JonessaidheandKingareinthe
process of contacting the presidents
of each of these organizations and
asking them to take part in PAC.
“The purpose of this organization
is simply (to) provide the stu-
dent body with the opportunity to
have a stronger voice in whom they
would like to see become our future
leaders in student government,”
reads the letter that the presidents
of each organization will receive.
Some members of these organi-
zations also are members of the

greek system. which will provide
even more diversity that already ex-
ists in the political action commit-
tee. Jones said.

King aid Jones have proposed
that the political action committee
hold two forums — a presidential
ticket fonim and a senators at large
forum.

“We feel that having these groups
make an endorsement would pro-
vide the majority of students a bet-
ter view of whom they should elect
as future members of SGA," Jones'
letter read.

“This group would be more at
ease to choose the best candidate
because it isn't all greek," he said.

Bryan Morrison, co-chairman of
GPAC and Interfratemity Council
vice president at large, said he has
no problem with the senators begin—
ning another debate.

“I think it will help. but I think
(GPAC) is a very important part of
theelection.Ithinkitsaysalot
about GPAC that it has chosen all
the presidents. It’s doing a good
job,” he said.

But Morrison also said that he
and co-chairwoman Melissa
Browne have stressed to GPAC
members the importance of choos-
ing the best candidate, whether he
or she is a member of the greek
community.

“The Greek Political Action
Committee is not formed to support
a greek person," Morrison said.

“The main purpose of GPAC is
to let the candidates discuss their
platforms. I think another debate
would let them discuss their plat-
form and let them get their message
to more students.”

 

Petition

Continued from page 1

tremely low.

Kruspe has assigned members of
the law school to vote in the Busi-
ness and Economics Building, locat-
ed next to the UK College of Law.

He said he believes law school
students will walk next door and
vote like many other colleges al-
ready have to do.

Kemper disagrees with Kruspe’s
reasoning.

“I don’t think many students will
(vote). Some don‘t even know
where the Business and Economic
Building is located," he said.

Kemper said he plans to present
his petition to the SGA Senate at its
Standing committee meetings to-

morrow night

Kruspe said that while in the past
the College of Law has had its own
voting station, he believes his revi-
sions will better serve the needs of
all students.

SGA Senator at Large and vice
presidential candidate Jill Cranston,
who defended having a poll at the
school at last week's senate meet-
ing, said she still wants a poll there.

“I'm concerned because it's been
a precedent at the law school to
have a booth, and the law school is
so centralized,” Cranston said.

She said more than 50 percent of
the law students usually vote in
SGA elections each year. This is a
higher turnout than any other col-
lege, she said.

“Undergraduates go from build-
ing to building and to the Student
Center and the library on a regular

basis. But the law school has their
library, all of their classes and two
lounges all in one building. They
do not leave the law school."

Kruspe said he planned the vot-
ing schedules earlier in the semes-
ter and said the schedules are best
for students.

“They have the opportunity to
vote. It's not mandated anywhere
that the law school should have
their own polling place in their own
building,” Kruspe said.

“I’m giving them a fair opponu-
nity to vote. I don’t think they need
special treatment simply because
they’re law students. If I put (a vot-
ing machine) in the law school, all
schools would want their own, and
we don't have the money to do
that.”

 

 

Graduates

Continued from page 1

1990.

Although a comparison of the
ETS and CHE studies indicates that
the retention rate for Kentucky's
universities is 20 percent higher
than the national figures, the state's
dropout rate is still too high, said
Doug Alexander, a spokesman for
Wilkinson.

“Half the cup is still empty," he
said.

In any case, keeping students in
college is no easy task, said Robert
Hemenway, UK chancellor for the
Lexington Campus.

“Sometimes it doesn’t happen be-

 

 

 

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cause of financial reasons,” he said.
“Sometimes the student doesn’t do
the studying that is necessary.
Sometimes the University doesn’t
fulfill all its hopes.”

Financial hardships are a “major
reason" students leave school, he
said, an assessment which is sec-
onded by CHE.

“As a generality, it seems that the
leading reason given for dropping
out is financial considerations, and
the second is personal problems,” a
CHE report said. The report points
out that the reasons are self-
reported by the students.

Nonetheless, colleges are facing
their share of problems nationwide,
not only in keeping students from
dropping out, but also in getting
them to enroll in college in the first
place.

The ETS study found that 55 per-
cent of 1980 high school graduates
nationwide went to either a two-
year or four-year college. By com-
parison, CHE found that 53.9 per-
cent of Kentucky’s graduating sen-
iors go directly to college.

Wilkinson also attacked the abili-
ty of colleges to hold onto “high-
ability seniors.” the brightest of
high school seniors. The ETS study
found that half of the 1980 high
school seniors who scored in the
top 25 percent of an achievement
test had received a bachelor‘s de-
gree seven years after graduation.

CHE does not yet have figures on
the college retention rates of the top
25 percent of Kentucky’s college
students.

But surveys of some of Ken-
tucky‘s brightest high school gradu-

ates indicate that the top I percent
or 2 percent are getting their under-
graduate degrees and, in many cas-
es, are pursuing a graduate degree.

The Kentucky Governor’s Schol-
ar program each year accepts 700
of the state‘s top high school sen-
iors as determined by one of sever-
al tests. The program provides a
motivational learning environment
for the students during the summer
between their junior and senior
years of high school, said Lillian
Press, retired director of the pro-
gram.

A survey of 1985 Governor's
Scholar participants, taken in 1990,
showed that 81 percent of those re-
sponding were planning on going
to graduate school. Press said the
study was a voluntary survey to
which about 40 percent of the 1985
students responded.

Cox pointed out the Govemor’s
Scholar participants represent a
smaller percentage of the total stu-
dents than the “highcr-ability" sen-
iors surveyed by ETS. He also not-
ed that those students are eligible
for scholarships and are heavily re-
cruited by some colleges.

“Those students have lots of op-
portunities, lots of choices," Cox
said.

Nonetheless. the indications are
most of the students who partici-
pate in the program go to college
and get a degree, Press said.

“Of our students, I believe we
have a very large retention in col-
lege,” she said.

Kentucky’s Governor Scholar
participants seem to go on to col-
lege at overwhelming rates.

 

 

Simpson
Continued from page 1

“I feel that my education is going

‘ to be the most important thing,” he

said. “(This restaurant) opened up
mainly to get me through school —-

for me to have a job and go to
school at the same time."

Simpson, however, said he would
be willing to give up his restaurant
for school.

“If it came down to a decision, I
would sell the restaurant and stick
straight to school,” he said.

The Student Library
Campaign
C hallenges

Student Organizations
Fraternities
Sororities
Residence Halls
For
100% Participation
nithe
Book Endowment

 

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Kentucky Kernel, Tueedey, March to, 1992 - 3

 

 

 

 

‘Mississippi Masala’ fresh look
at lines dividing love and color

By JOHN DYER FORT
Assistant Arts Editor

The beautiful thing about chil-
dren is how they learn from their
surroundings.

When 6-year-old Mina. an
Asian Indian living in Uganda,
says goodbye to Uncle Okelo, a
black African, tears roll down
both their faces. Okelo and

Mina's father. Jay, have been life- .

long friends. It’s the most natural
thing in the world for Mina to be
blind to Okelo’s black skin.

“Mississippi Masala" is about
as beautiful, fresh and profound
as the first day of spring. This is a
gorgeous. earthy film with sun-
light slanting through it and the
lightness of warm spring air.

“Masala" could be one of the
most original, brilliant films re-
leased in the 19905. Unfortunate-
ly, it will likely enjoy the sort of
infamy kin to cult and foreign
films.

The film is infused with an
evocative atmosphere founded on
strains of Indian sitar strings, Af-
rican rhythms and Afro-American
blues. The diverse sounds fit tight
with the image on the screen —
the result is a celebration and syn-
thesis (sometimes clash) of cul-
ture. “Masala” is wonh seeing if
only for the melding of sound and
scenery.

“Masala" opens in 1972, the
year ldi Amin ordered all Asians
to leave Uganda The film is the
story of one Asian Indian family
forced to leave the only country
they have ever known, the coun-
try they Iove. They live in a beau—
tiful, open-air home with a veran-
da that looks out over the rolling,
lush green countryside and flow-
ers that are so colorful they ap-
pear to be on fire. Uganda is a
Garden of Eden.

The father, Jay (Roshan Seth),
is a lawyer who has defended the
rights of blacks; he is called
“bootlicker” and “uaitor” by his
Indian friends. Now he is being
discriminated against because of
the light brown color of his skin.
But he knows that black Africans
are tired of seeing Indians prosper
in “their" country. He publicly de-
nounces Amin on the BBC radio,
is arrested, and only escapes after
his lifelong African friend, Okelo,
bribes the jailer.

lay tells Okelo how much he
loves Uganda, that his Indian cul.
ture has always come second to
his love for his African homeland.

Okelo, knowing that greater forc-
es are at work, tells him stemly:
“Africa is for Africans. Black Af-
ricans.”

Jay leaves Uganda bitter and
angry. refusing to say goodbye to
Okelo. The bus loaded with Indi-
ans and luggage is stopped by
Ugandan troops on the highway
and Jay’s wife, Kinnu, is forced
off at gunpoint. Tense moments
pass before they take her jewelry
and let her go.

Eighteen years pass. We catch
up with the Indian family living
and operating a motel with other
Indians in Greenwood, Mississip-
pi, 1990. The music evolves into
brash. rollicking Delta blues. It‘s
a wonderful touch of foreshadow-
ing and cultural ambiguity.

The rolling fields and aban-
doned lots of rural Mississippi
are a stark backdrop to the
changed lives of Jay, Kinnu and
Mina. Jay is still “living” in
Uganda. He is a sour man who
wears his martyrdom on his
sleeve for all to see.

Kinnu (Sharmila Tagore) runs
a liquor store frequented by
blacks in the run down pan of
Greenwood. An old man sits
among the bottles, plays his har-
monica and buys beer by the can.

Mina (Sarita Choudhury) is
now 24, a beautiful, dark-skinned
woman with almond-shaped eyes
and long, black hair.

“Masala" is three movies in
one: it’s the story of the home—
land, racism and the trap of the
bitter past; it’s a sociocultural
study of Asian Indians living in
the Deep South, an odd, often hi-
larious case of the Melting Pot
getting a strange new spice; final-
Iy, “Masala" is a love story, a dif-
ficult and courageous argument
of passion.

When Mina meets Demetrius
(Denzel Washington), a black
carpet cleaner from Greenwood,
they wind up dancing. Holding
each other, making eye contact,
something comes over them. For
perhaps the first time, Mina is
falling in love; her life opens up
to her. Removed from her oppres-
sive, ethnocentric upbringing, she
comes alive and discovers a deep-
er self she‘d lost cleaning hotel
rooms and sheltered by family.

When Mina comes home she
remembers her childhood, Africa,
and especially. Okelo. It's as if
she had to deny this pan of her-
self because of her father‘s anger.

Mina’s earliest, most original

self doesn't recognize skin color;
she is rich with memories of beau-
tiful Uganda, Okelo and love.

When Mina meets Demetrius'
family, they are curious about her
worldly back-
ground. She
tells them her
grandfather
was brought to
Uganda from
India by the
British to build
the railroad.
They ask her.
then, if they
were slaves. WASHINGTON
Mina had never
thought about it.

She tells them she's never been
to India and they respond: “Hey,
you’re just like us. We’ve never
been to Africa." Demetrius’ fami-
ly easily identifies with Mina and
accepts her as another person of
color living in white America.

Mina’s family. however,
doesn't approve and forbids the
match because Demetrius is
black. Demetrius confronts Jay,
who says “I was young and want-
ed to change the world. The world
doesn‘t change that easily. I don’t
want Mina to be hurt I don‘t want
her to have to struggle like I did."

Demetrius doesn't want to hear
about the “struggle." He reminds
Jay that he is only slightly lighter
titan him.

But lay persists, telling Mina
they were forced out of Uganda
by blacks. Now they must stick to
their own kind. Mina sees through
her father for the first time, saying
“Okelo risked his life for you.
What more proof of his love do
you need?”

Jay is left alone to confront his
own past and the poverty and big-
otry of his present.

“Mississippi Masala" is a
brave, picturesque film that ex-
plores some complicated country:
culture, family, love, racism and
life as a minority in America.

Director Mira Nair has done a
spectacular job combining cultu-
ral, musical and visual threads
from diverse, sometimes dispar-
ate, places and weaving them into
a single fabric. The music, cine-
matography and narrative of this
incredible film will make it one
that is hard to forget. “Mississippi
Masala" is a must-see for a trou-
bled. confused world.

Mississippi Masala. rated “R."
currently is playing at North Park
Cinemas.

Weaver, experimental animation
and AIDS drama highlight week

“Racism makes you want to hate
yourself," Spike Lee told us last
Friday night at Memorial Hall. It
dawned on me how much sense
that makes. It's similar to growing
up in a dysfunctional family where
Mom and Dad raise you to believe
you're not good enough or smart
enough. This is especially true if
you have “brothers” and “sisters”
who seem to do everything right
but don’t give you the time of day.

When someone asked Lee if
black people are going backward,
Lee responded cooly and wisely: “I
think America is going backward.
Especially since the Reagan-Bush
years."

Racism in our country. on our
campus, is not a problem, but a
symptom. We are a dysfunctional
family, picking on our “weaker” lit-
tle brother. It doesn’t make it right
just because Mom and Dad look the
other way.

Someday. we all have to leave
home.

Nationally recognized tapestry
artist Geary Jones will demon-
strat