Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 September 1989 — Page 7
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2,1989
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
PAGE 7A
Prince Adeniyi delivers message fit for a king
PRINCE JULIUS ADENIYI (right) delivers a powerful message on the drums during the Summer Arts for Youth ’89 program at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. (Recorder photo by Yolanda Hamiter)
By YOLANDA HAMITER Recorder Intern Educating young African Americans through demonstrations of African musical instruments, dance, and West African culture, Prince Julius Adeniyi and his group “Drums of West Africa” attempt to show young African-American children that
“...only in America are they considered the minority.” Adeniyi, along with Bobby Joe Mann and Carol Tharp-Perrin helped to bring out the talents that young people possess through music, lyrics and dance at the Summer Arts for Young ’89 program sponsored by the Arts Council of Indianapolis.
On the first day of the program, “Drums of West Africa” performed and demonstrated the various African instruments and introduced West African culture to the students. Adeniyi says, “Most of the things that the young people are doing (dance music) here, we are doing the same thing in Africa. But if you tell them
that, they will deny it because they don’t know.” In 1978 Adeniyi left his job to devote the rest of his time to teach people in America about West African culture and to open the eyes of young people to the fact that the majority of the world is filled with darkskinned people. When he left Africa
“I’m growin’ up in a big old town; here’s what I found as I’m walkin’ around. I see kids, gangs, and violence when it comes to these issues, total silence. Still homeless people all around. More community effort needed in this town. Where are all the people who always say, ‘We’ll help you out in any way.’” Indianapolis Rap Song
he told them he was going to school, but his main objective was to educate his children. “The people in Africa arc in constant struggle and children there don’t have the opportunities available to young people in America,” said Adeniyi. He did not want his children to have to go through the same hardships that he did. In 1971 he came to Indianapolis and in 1978 he startedhisband,“Drums of West Africa.” He has two bands, a traditional band and a contemporary band. He says that everyone is created for a purpose and his purpose is to educate. Sixty high school juniors and seniors from Mapleton-Fall Creek, Me-ridian-Kessler,Butler-Tarkington,and United North West Area neighborhoods gathered recently at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church at 34th and Central to learn how to bring out the talents and express themselves through music, song, dance, and visual arts. During the program the children were required to learn something new, create something of their own, and use something they already knew to make a final show at the end of the week. Adeniyi, Mann, and Perrin were there
to facilitate and structure the program. “I’m growin’ up in a big old town; here’s what I found as I’m walkin’ around. I see kids, gangs, and violence when it comes to these issues, total silence. Still homeless people all around. More community effort needed in this town. Where are all the people who always say, ‘We’ll help you out in any way.”’ That was a verse from the rap written by the students who showed their view of our society. Adeniyi taught the children how to play African instruments, basic drums and small percussion instruments. To correlate with the drums, the students added their own dance steps. For their own creation some wrote the lyrics to rap, which they all performed, and the others created a collage of their experience with the program. All week they worked with an African prince and learned how to play African instruments. The painting they created was a collage which displayed how Africa has affected the African American. “They wanted to share the Afri-can-American experience and culture with everyone to create a sense of brotherhood,” said Perrin. The painting will be on display at the Penrod Arts Foundation. Now that the program is over, the students will make a video which will air on cable television and possibly the Christian network. Golden Rule and Second Sight will provide the facilities and the technicians to make the production possible. “We reminded the kids that what they do in this video will be seen by other children in this country and that somewhere, someone will be touched by their message,” said Mann. “We are the most oppressed, the most victimized, the most looked down upon people in this world, but the Creator did not look down upon us,” said Adeniyi. “Our day of glory is coming!”
New 'Mary' wears the pants
Coping BY CHARLES W. FAULKNER
John was a proud African American male who had a good job and a lovely wife. Mary, John’s wife, was reared to be a dedicated housekeeper. She did not have a job outside of the house. She stayed at home and carried out household chores every day and prepared John’s breakfast and dinner. She had few ambitions other than to be a good spouse. He behavior was so consistent that John felt emotionally content for the first time in his life. He knew that Mary would always be there to give him support. One day John was feeling his oats at work and expressed some strong feelings. He told his supervisor that he (John) demanded to be treated with
respect and dignity. He was tired of Shc was lhc provider and John was running errands and never being asked ( low ^ dependent. Shc treated him to give his opinion about anything on jus 1 as he had treated her when he had his job. He was frequendy told, “just a j°h an ^ s he stayed home, lake my orders, do your job, and keep gave John a small allowance, your mouth shut.” * ct J 0 * 111 c0 °k his own dinner. Shc He was tired of being pushed around even took charge during the sexual act. like a child and he let his supervisor S he demanded that John keep the house
know it. The next day, John was fired clean.
and has not been able to find a job ^°h n deteriorated from being a s i nce strong, assertive man to being a wimp. Mary, his demure, inexperienced had i wo enemies: his supervisor
wife, had to go to work. It was tormenting at first, but shc began to enjoy working at some place other than home. John couldn’t find employment but Mary had several job offers. So John had to stay at home and try to cope with the embarrassment of having to be a “house husband.” Readers, read the following information and please tell me if Mary behave like mate number one or number two? (which kind of mate would
you be?
Mate Number One: Mary felt that John needed to be taught a lesson so she was not very sympathetic to his problem. The roles were now reversed.
and his unforgiving wife. He was just a step away from using crack-cocaine
- or worse.
Mate Number Two: Mary said to John, “Let’s divide the household chores; let’s continue to share everything. Eventually, you will get a good job and assume your role as provider. Continue to hold your head up high. “I realize that it is easier for me to get a job than it is for you simply because the white man fears me less than you. But I will stick by you so that our family will surviveas a strong unit. Even though you can presently get nV0 FULL scholarships and five book grants were only a menial job that pays much less presented to seven students during a recent reception than you deserve, and less than I cam, hosted by the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma you are still my man.” Rho. Pictured from left are Dr. Lora Vann, chapter
basileus; Sherri Murray, Karona Pollard, Monica Spenser, Dr. Katie White, guest speaker; Christine Brookins, Bella Griffin, Stacy Mitchell and Alda Brown (insert).
Readers: write me, Dr. Faulkner, P.O. Box 50016, Washington, DC 20004. Let me know which woman's behavior is correct and tell me why you think so. Gold fillings
Sigma Gamma Rho chapter cities 7 students during reception
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McAlphine, Gaither to wed
Katreana McAlphine and Geoffrey A. Gaither will be married Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Scpt.2, in the First Presbyterian Church at Detroit, Mich. Katreana is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McAlphine. Shehasadegree in English from Albion College in Albion, Michigan and a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri. Presently she is employed as a news producer for WJBK-TV in Detroit. Geoffrey is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Gaither. GeofTrey has a
degree in urban planning and design from the University of Cincinnati and a law degree from Howard University. Presently, he is employed as deputy prosecutor for Marion County. Henri Gaither, brother of the groom, will be the best man. Thelma Gardner, of Huey town Alabama, will be matron ofhonor. Ingrid Branch of Detroit will be maid of honor. Geoffrey and Katreana will honeymoon in Sl Thomas and plan to make their home in Indianapolis.
Q. What arc the advantages of gold fillings? A. There are several. Gold has incredible strength and unusual resistance to breaking under the stress of constant chewing. For this reason, it’s used mainly to restore weakened tooth structures. A silver alloy, on the other hand, may change shape in the tooth and ultimately fracture. A gold filling will almost always insure no further breakage of the filling. If a tooth is too damaged to be corrected by a silver filling, then gold is the restoration of choice. Another plus: gold will not. discolor with the passage of lime, while a silver amalgam may.
• • •
Presented as a public service by Dr. Leonard Scott, DD.S. 4643 N. Keystone Ave. phone 923-3343.
Alpha Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. rcccnUy honored seven students with a recognition and achievement breakfast at
the St. Peter Clavcr Center.
Dr. Katie K. White, International Grand Basileus, Sigma Gamma Rho Inc., wasgucst speaker whochallcngcd the recipients to retain moral values, pride in their heritage and continuous study which requires commitment,
patience and dedication.
She implored other attendees to be positive role models to youth with peace for themselves and “for the troubled world and justice that needs not be won over and over again and curiosity that moves one to learn and grow
beyond today’s dream.”
Greetings were brought from representatives of Tennessee State University, Pan-Hellenic Council, Philo Affiliates, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Zcta Phi Beta Sorority and Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority.
DR. LORA VANN (left). Alpha Sigma Chapter basileus, presents Dr. Katie White with a proclamation from the Honorable Mayor William H. Hudnut III.