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LIFESTYLES/ENTERTAINMENT
March 2, 1993
HIGHLIGHTS
Jomandi Productions Presents, The Meeting, by Jeff Stetson Directed by
Chuck Smith, at Center Stage February 26-March 7, 1993. Set in a hotel room
in Harlem, NY in 1965, the play centers around a fictitious meeting between Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Wednesday night students receive a
discount. For tickets and information call 876-6346.
February 24-April3, the Alliance Theatre presents Once On This Island,
A tropical musical directed by David Bell. For tickets and information call 892-
2414.
The High Museum of Art at Georgia Pacific Center presents Works by
African American photographer Loma Simpson through March 5, an
exhibition of photographic imagery and text exploring issues of language and
perception.
MOVIES
By K.A. White
Assistant Editor Lifestyles/Entertainment
“Amos & Andrew" is a laughable satire stars Samuel L. Jackson, a
self-made black man, (Jungle Fever) as Andrew Sterling, and Nicholas
Cage, (Moonstruck) as Amos Odell, a petty criminal.
Andrew Sterling is a successful Pulitzer Prize winning play
wright who just bought a house on a high-class New England resort,
Watauga Island. The exlusive area is known for it’s “so-called liberals.”
Sterling basks in the luxuries of white America yet he sees himself as
the “angry voice of his people.”
The frenetic evening begins when Chief of Police, Cecil Tolliver
(Dabney Coleman), realize that his faux paus of accusing “the Andrew
Sterling” of burglary will jeopardize his re-election. Sterling is seen
trying to assemble his stereo equipment in his paid-for-cash home, by
a couple walking by and think, it “can only mean one thing”, he’s
stealing. Since he does not want to look like an idiot or worse, a racist,
Chief Tolliver invents a convincing tale that involves Amos Odell.
Odell, accused of stealing a car, is bribed by Chief Tolliver to
stage a hostage crime, and give himself up. In return, Odell will leave
town with all previous charges dropped.
Of course the plan falls through, and Sterling and Odell end up
in a hostage charade that captures the attention of the national media,
the S.W.A.T. team, and a “militant black activist” the Honorable
Reverend Fenton Brunch, Giancarlo Esposito (School Daze, Do the
Right Thing), followed by a group of angry church-goers with a beef with
the “so-called liberals” of Watauga Island.
This comical farce keeps the audience’s attention, because
eventhough the movie consists of the events of only one night it is
interesting and entertaining.
The movie is an exaggeration of the lives of two men from two
different backgrounds, but it probes some of the prevalent issues of
society.
I really enjoyed this flick because it kept me laughing and I will
probably see it again and again. Go see it and experience the “suburbian
nightmare.”
African American
and RiSing
Paceon Walker instructs Oglethorpe students
By Wendy Isom
Staff Writer
One day, her mother knew that she would set the
pace for the nation.
To her friends, she is “Pancake’’, the one they can
count on for advice. To the community, she is Paceon
Walker, a science instructor, mentor, and big sister for
one hour every week at Oglethorpe Elementary school.
As a first year engineering student at Clark Atlanta
University, 18 year-old Walker maintains a 3.6 grade
point average.
“The first few days the children see how much they
can get over on you. They think I am elderly and I almost
forgot that there are people that short in the world,' she
said.
According to Walker, the program’s purpose is to
expose children to the sciences through hands-on
projects. “I don’t want African-American children to
think that science only happens in far away laborato
ries,” said Walker.
Last year, she was involved with the Self-Esteem
Team, neighborhood youth groups, and the Columbus
African Dance Troupe. However, Walker admits work
ing with the eight-year olds was a major adjustment.
“I just took the time to take them to movies or rap
sessions at my house,” she said. Walker feels that
volunteering is an obligation. “The fact that I am here
shows that someone invested time and energy in me,”
she said.
As a former student body president, Walker
graduatedfrom high school as an Outstanding National
Merit Negro Scholar, an award given to students with
the highest PSAT, from Walnut Ridge High School in
Columbus, Ohio. She also received the Minority Youth
Recognition Award for Leadership and Service in her
community.
Walker encourages African-American college stu
dents to become more actively involved with children.
“It’s a lot easier to identify with people who look like you.
I get a chance to influence somebody. When a child
comes up to me and tells me about their weekend that
means that I am influencing them," Walker said.
Besides her volunteering at Oglethorpe she said her
most rewarding project was the Self-Esteem Team, a
drug prevention peer group in Columbus. She traveled
throughout the country informing all people of the
harmful effects of drugs.
Walker said being a role model isn’t always “For the
past 5 or 6 years, people called me weird. It doesn’t
bother me because I am good at it. I don’t mind being
a nerd . I know who I am.”
According to Walker she wants to be the first doctor
in her family, a scholar and an engineer, “Other than
that, I plan to cross that bridge when I get to it," Walker
said.