Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 May 2000 — Page 1
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her's Day
RELIGION
Keep your anger in check
ENTERTAINMENT
Funk Stars honor Roger Ttoutman Stop keeping up with the Joneses
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105th YEAR ■ NUMBER 18 ■ FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2000 ■ PHONE 317/924-5143 ■ www.lndlanapollsrscordor.com
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Walter S. Blackburn Blackburn to receive
honorary doctorate * Purdue University will award Walter S. Blackburn and 21 others with honorary doctoral degrees during May commencements around the State. Blackburn, architect and president of Blackburn Associates, will receive a doctor of letters degree at 3 p.m. on May 14 at lUPUI’s commencement in the RCA Dome. Blackburn, a prominent business and civic leader who also has shared his time and talents with IUPUI, is a native and lifelong resident of Indianapolis. His company has done projects ranging from the Artsgarden at Circle Centre to the new Black Cultural Center building at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. In his 30-year professional career, he has applied sensitivity, social consciousness, special training and professionalism to preserving neighborhoods and rebuilding the inner city.
263 physicians to take oath on
Mother’s Day Two hundred sixty-three of Indiana’s newest physicians will take the Hippocratic oath in a ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome on Mother’s Day, Sun~day, May 14. The processional at the RCA Dome for all Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis graduates will begin at 2:30 p.m. with formal ceremonies beginning at 3 p.m. The event should conclude by 4:30 p.m. at which time IU .School of Medicine graduates and their families and friends will re-assemble on the stadium floor for the administration of the timehonored pledge to their profession known as the Hippocratic oath, diploma presentations and hooding ceremony.
Ralph Dowe retires from the Wheeler
Rpys & Girls Club Ralph Dowe will retire as director
See BRIEFS, Page A6
Ralph Dowe
Black family was on board Titanic
A museum exhibit reveals what many don’t know
By SABRINA L. MILLER Chicago Tribune Staff Writer
Joseph Laroche, a Haitian-bom, Frencheducated engineer, had no intention of traveling on the Titanic when he and his family left France in 1912. Unable to find work in France because he was Black - and having discovered that his wife was pregnant with their third child, Laroche decided to return to his native Haiti with first-class tickets aboard the French liner France. But just before departure, he learned that the ship did not allow children to dine with their parents. As a result, Laroche, his wife Juliette, who was white, and their two young daugh-
ters quickly transferred to the Titanic, their first-class France tickets equivalent to sec-ond-class tickets aboard the British luxury liner. The story of the only Blacks on board the Titanic is being highlighted in the Titanic exhibit currently on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, outside Paris, and for three days, the family enjoyed the ship’s splendor. At a 9 p.m. seating April 14, the family dined together for the last time. Joseph Laroche retired to the srpoking parlor with other men in second class. Juliette Laroche and their daughters, 3-year-old Simonne and 1 -yearold Louise, returned to their suite. Later that evening, Laroche felt the collision, ran back to his room and awoke his wife and daughters. As the mother and children were placed in a lifeboat on that frigid evening, Laroche draped his coat.
stuffed with mpney and family valuables, across his wife’s shoulders. “You will need it,” he told Juliette Laroche, 22. “I will see you in New York. I must take another raft. God be with you.” Those were the last words Laroche spoke to his wife. Thecoat was stolen, but Juliette Laroche and the girls survived. Joseph I Laroche, 26, the only Black man aboard ] the ship, was one of 166 second-class passengers who died. The Laroches weren't featured in the popular 1997 film‘Titanic,”buttheirplace
See TITANIC, Page A7
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The four members of ttie Laroche family — (clockwise from top) Juliette, 22; Joseph, 26; Louise, 1; and Simonne, 3 — were the only Blacks aboard the Titanic. Joseph was among the 166 second-class passengers who died; his wife and children survived. (Titanic Historical Society)
Arthur Andersen names Black to top post
In the driver’s seat
COMMENTARY
By FREDERICK L. MERKERSON III Staff Writer
Even with annual
revenues currently at more than $7 billion | and an 87-year-busi-ness history, Arthur Andersen recently did something that had never been done be-
fore by the firm. Last month, the
global accounting powerhouse appointed an African American, Derrick Burks, 43, as a managing partner for its Indianapolis office. Burks replaces Gilbert F. Viets, who is retiring after 35 years with the firm. “Derrick is well positioned to lead the Indianapolis office in the new century,”
Republicans ignore Black community
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Derrick Burks
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Republican National Committee spends nearly $10 million with Latino media for election campaign 2000 -ByjUOUL DENNIS Managing Editor, NNPA News Sendee
On a Mission: Four-year-old LaTlsha Brown, #22, it the ‘driver’ at the pole
Viets recently said. He brings a solid at jhg Early Learning Center's 23rd Annual Mini 500 Big Wheel Race.
More than 200 on-lookers watched the three-wheel race. (photo/Rod Roes)
See BURKS, Page A3
WASHINGTON (NNPA) — The Republican National Committee will spend some $ 10 million advertising dollars with Hispanic media to attract Hispanic voters in the 2000presidential election campaign, while its Black media budget is allegedly zero, the NNPA has learned. “This is a phenomenal moment,” said Leslie Sanchez, the RNC’s deputy press secretary with Hispanic media. “There hasn ’ t been a financial commitment of this
Jenna Hymes Bianchi is asociate conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. ISO will spend $3 million over the next six years for arts education.
Symphony educates and entertains local students
By RONNETTA S. SLAUGHTER Staff Writer
This week, Indiana students were exposed to various musical forms through an educational performance by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The three-day presentation welcomed approximately 5,400 children, and is part of a series of concerts and programs designed to expose students to music. ' The concert included music genres such as George Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm” and Emma Cotton’s “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Over the next six years, the ISO will
use $3 millionfor arts education in classrooms. The program, “Community Conservatory,” will provide arts and music performances while encouraging children and adults to increase their musical
knowledge. During the 2000 - 2001 academic year, only six private and public elementary schools will be selected to participate in the program. Currently, ISO has received 25 “Partnership Schools” applications from elementary institutions desiring interactive presentations, educational resources including curriculum modifications and instrumental activities led by trained
See SYMPHONY, Page A2
‘The Tulsa
Lynching of 1921:
A Hidden Story’ Film recounts massacre of hundreds of African Americans
Special to The Recorder
Debuting on Cinemax Reel Life on May 31 —79 years later to the day is “The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Stoiy.” It will shown at 6:30 p.m. As this story unfolds, an ugly page of American history is currently back in the news, after having been kept out of sight for more than 75 years. At the turn of the 20th century, Tulsa, Okla., was known as the Oil Capital of the World, boasting the highest per-capita wealth of any city. Its Greenwood section, a well-to-do neighborhood of leafy streets and beautiful homes, was a magnet for
type since the 1984 campaign. And this is just the beginning.”. A moment not shared by Black newspaper publishers, who when interviewed said they were angry that they - and, by extension, their constituencies - woe being ignored.. “The Republican Party has excluded the Black press once again by not going after our vote in advertisements for election 2000,” said Lecia Swain-Ross, pub-
See RNC, Pag* A2
COMMENTARY
A Mother’s Day tribute
By SHARON D. WELLS
As I stand in the silence of the a very cbttfy February day;
Saa TULSA, Page A3
f the chapel on VttymiMHNh to. 1 remember
fleets back to many years sgo.l remember
Ii# kitchen,
the savory aroma coming from die I
where mama was preparing a Thanksgiv-
relativeshad
&
Reduced to Rubble: The entire 35 square block community of Greenwood, an affluent Black neighborhood In Tulsa, Okla., waa destroyed during the riot.
ing dinner. Many friends and relatives I come to enjoy that day. Numerous hours df preparation had taken place to make this
day a special one.
Oven roasted turkey with giblet gravy and mama’s secret homemade dressing, mouth watering yeast rolls, and a seasoned to perfection macaroni and cheese casserole were only a few items oe the menu. Mama loved days like this. She really enjoyed watching others feast on her cooking. The table had been elegantly set Everyone anxiously awaited to hear the words, “Dinner's ready. Let's bless the food and eat!” The house was filled with joy, laughter, and love. We indeed enjoyed the food that was prepared by mama. This was the way we celebrated holidays at our house.
8a* MOTHERS, Page A6
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