Newspaper Page Text
THE WALKING DEAD
(File Photo)
Stars of "The Walking Dead" relate the experiences of black soldiers
in the Vietnam War.
Film Gives Life To Black Vietnam
ByJjrrrnieOphelaWoodsJr.
Asst. Editorial Editor
The black experience in
America is still unfolding. In
“The Walking Dead, ” four
soldiers bring to light the
experience of blacks in the
Vietnam War. Through the
perspectives of these black
soldiers, a part of history that
has received little attention, is
dramatized.
“The Walking Dead” depicts
the black male's duty in
Vietnam with jolting realism.
The film takes place in the jun
gle, contrasted by the soldiers’
colorful flashbacks to their
American life.
This film takes soldiers in war
out of heroic fantasy and places
them in the 1970s—unpolished
and black. It suggests that
people influence war as
much as war influences peo
ple.
Directed by newcomer
Preston Whitmore II, this
film represents a tribute to
the brothers he met in the
service.
“The Walking Dead” is
the collaboration of produc
ers George Jackson, Doug
McHenry and Frank Price
who were responsible,
respectively, for bringing
“New Jack City” and
“Boyz N’ The Hood” to
the screen.
The music of Marvin
Gaye harmonized the senti
ments of the times and sig
naled hope. The incorpora
tion of poetry from
Countee Cullen suggested
that narration and themes
were as important as explo
sions.
Eddie Griffin, a featured
comedian on HBO, Allen
Payne seen in “CB4” and
Vonte Sweet, the reformed
“brother” in “Menace II
Society” make up this
small platoon. They are
led by Sargeant Barkley,
played by Joe Morton, who
acted in “The Inkwell.”
The personalities that
comprise this platoon near
ly destroy it. The refined,
calm attitude of the platoon
and their superior is bal
anced by the sarcasm and
humor of Private Hoover.
Vontee Sweet portrays a
naive young man who
enlists to impress his
woman. Sgt. Barkley
(Morton), a former minis
ter, is running from his past
life, and nobody knows
why. The most gripping
tale is that of Corporal
Continued P8
Book Review
The Celestine
Prophecy:
A Spiritual Reading
By Gigi Barnett
Staff Writer
As more people concentrate on the spir
itual evolution of the universe, the first
key insight of “The Celestine Prophecy”
is found in the jungles of South America.
This document by James Redfield,
combined with the insights of eight oth
ers, make up the revered prophecy.
Because only a few Westerners know
about the insights, the Roman Catholic
Church and the Peruvian Government
want to repress the mounting curiosity
about the remaining manuscripts. Thus,
the adventure begins!
Set in the rain forest of Peru, Redfield
tells this powerful adventure in the
unique view of the first person. As a
result, the main character’s name is never
known.
Each insight brings a higher awareness
of the evolution of man and his spirituali
ty. They explain all the significance of
life ranging from simple coincidences to
the higher levels of energy.
The reader is pulled into a journey to
find the manuscript. Only one insight is
given—the first. It clarifies the mysteri
ous parallelisms that determines the
course of life.
After all of the nine insights are found
and practiced, then the change in spiritu
ality begins. All creatures will begin to
connect with a higher energy force.
Violence and crime will be a thing of the
past, as people will become conscious of
their souls and their purposes.
Redfield deals with all the problems of
life in “The Celestine Prophecy, ” every
thing from daily chance happenings to
parental rejection.
At the end of the book, the reader is left
to address some of his own concerns.
Redfield does not misdirect the reader,
because, ultimately, if the reader applies
“The Celestine Prophecy” to his or her
life, then the main character’s role is
clear.
Through February
The Black Holocaust Exhibit -
Original artifacts from the
sunken 1702 slaveship the
Henrietta Marie will be exhibited
in conjunction with Black History
Month. Sponsored by the Shrine
of the Black Madonna. Mall
hours through February. Free;
Donations accepted. The Mall
West End, 850 Oak St. S.W., 1-20
at Lee Street, call: 752-6125.
Feb.20
Dr. Leonard Jeffries will be
speaking at Clark Atlanta
University. The time and loca
tion will be posted.
Feb. 21
Clark Atlanta University and the
Julius Daugherty Endowed
Lecture Series In Law And
Government presents Dr. Cornel
West, philosopher, professor,
author and activist from
Harvard University.
West will be addressing,
"Beyond Eurocentrism and
Multiculturalism: Breaking
Bread," at 11:00 a.m. in Davage
Auditorium Haven-Warren Hall.
Feb. 28
The Departments of History,
Political Science and African
and African American Studies
present the African and African
History Month Celebration of
African American Art: Yesterday
and Today. Ojada Penn will be
the Jazz musician. Charles
Liverpool will be reading poetry.
This celebration will take place
in the student lounge of Holmes
Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m.
• High Museum of Art celebrates
Black History Month
A showcase of black photogra
phers Prentice H. Polk and
James Van Der Zee. Polk pho
tographed in the area around
Tuskeege, Ala., while Van Der
Zee concentrated on Harlem in
the 1920s. Through March 5. 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays
and Saturdays; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Fridays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays, $6
adults; $4 college students and
senior citizens; $2; free after 1
p.m, Thursdays. Woodruff Arts
Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E.
call: 733-4444.