Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 July 2002 — Page 21

1 FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2002 ■ PAGE Cl

INSIDE*C* SECTION*PEOPLE& TRENDS

BOOKMARK

Book is a primer on understanding Islam mindset By KAM WILLIAMS For The Recorder (Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam by John L. Esposito, Oxford University Press) “The 21 st century will be dominated by the encounter of two major and rapidly growing world religions, Christianity and Islam, and by the forces of globalization that will strain relations between the West and the rest. It is not a time for provoking a clash of civilizations or for the self-fulfilling prophecy that such a clash is inevitable. It is rather a time for the active promotion of coexistence and cooperation. “Amidst pressures to win the global war against terrorism at any cost, how we understand Islam and the Muslim world will affect how we address the causes of terrorism and of anti-Americanism. We must be able to move beyond political rhetoric, beyond the world of Black and white, of unadulterated good vs. evil invoked not only by bin Laden and those like him, but by his opponents as well.” — John L. Esposito in preface ***** Since 9-11, most political pundits have broken down the Middle East issue simplistically, drawing a line in the desert sand, so to speak, with all the good guys on one side, all the bad guys on the other. If only an astute analysis of the simation were that easy. But, as John L. Esposito knows, Muslims are our neighbors, our coworkers, our fellow citizens. And because their religion rejects terrorism, it is incumbent upon us all to move beyond suspicious stereotypes. Esposito, a professor of religion and international affairs at Georgetown University, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Islam. Over the last 20 years, he has written about two dozen books on the subject, including The Oxford History of Islam, Women in Muslim Family Law and The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality. He is also the founder and director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. His latest work. Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam, will prove to be a helpful primer for anyone truly interested in understanding the Muslim mindset. For the author methodically addresses practically every concern an outsider might have about present-day Islam. Thus, he answers critical questions like, Is the religion inclined towards violence? Who are these Muslim extremists? What makes Osama bin Laden so celebrated by Muslims. What is at the root of their anti-American-ism? Are there Muslim moderates? How can we fight terrorism without causing a clash of cultures? The book takes a sensible, chro8m BOOKMARK Page 02

Popular III class focuses on Motown, music of the masses By JOHN MEUNIER BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Motown created music for the masses. Hits such as “My Girl,” “Sugar Pie, Honey Bun,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Baby Love,” and more churned out of the Detroit studios of Berry Gordy’s Motown Record Corp. from 1959 to 1972. The music is as infectious today as it was then, and it’s still everywhere you turn. “The songs that related to me in the 1960s still relate to the kids that are taking my class,” said Indiana University professor Charles Sykes. Sykes’ class, offered each summer, is among the most popular on the IU roster. In the department of folklore and ethnomusicology, IU has formed one of the closest connections of any university with the leaders and luminaries of the Motown music movement. The Motown archives at the university include papers and interviews of many important figures in the music movement. Motown founder Berry Gordy donated copies of his biography to IU to be used in Sykes’ class next summer. Sykes and Portia Maultsby, also in the department, worked with the Motown Historical Museum in Detroit to create displays. “A lot of people who were involved in the 1960s, they’ve reached a point that they are ready to give up some of the things that they have held on to,” Sykes said. “We hope IU will be a place that they will feel comfortable giving those things to.” Sykes has been studying the connections between culture and & ■ v; Ht See MOTOWN Page C3

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an Gregory The talented renaissance man is a sensitive soul By KAM WILLIAMS siasm and optimism when I spoke with him about his For The Recorder career.

You probably recognize Dorian Gregory as Detective Darryl Morris from his recurring role on the WB television series “Charmed.” But the very busy young actor has also appeared on such popular TV shows as “Lois & Clark,” “The Wayans Brothers Show,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Moesha,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “Baywatch,” “The New Adventures of Superman,” and “Sister, Sister.” This multi-talented entertainer further exhibited his versatility, recently, by joining Dick Clark, Danny Bonaduce and Mario Lopez as a permanent host of “The Other Half.” This nationally-syndicated TV talk show has been positioned as the male counterpoint to “The View.” On the show, the quartet discuss a variety of topics primarily of interest to women. Dorian, a mid-season replacement, has stepped in ever so successfully, making a smooth transition and finding chemistry with his charismatic co-stars. The mostly female live audience has also taken to the handsome and charming bachelor bom in Washington, D.C., and raised in Cleveland. Gregory’s tightknit family eventually moved to L.A. and he plays in a hip-hop group with his equally-talented sister. The rising star was practically bursting with enthu-

I watched the show to prepare for this interview and was impressed by how much improved it was since before you joined it DG: Well, thank you. And it seems that you’ve blended right in, the way Dick, Mario and Danny are comfortable teas ing you a bout being the “nice guy” type. Looks like you’ve ended up with the image of being a sensitive soul. DG: (Laughs) That’s not at all image. That’s just who I am. So, you’re really like that? DG: Yes, I really, really and truly am. That’s just my background man. I have so much respect for the history of my family. My dad’s a very strong man and my mother and sister are very strong women. And we found a way to make that all work and harmonize together. Your family has moved around a lot since you were born in D.C. DG: Yeah, but D.C. was just for a day, so I can’t really claim it. I grew up in Cleveland, and now Fm inL.A. And you only have the one sibling? Seo DORIAN GREGORY Pago C2

Delores Thornton hosts new radio show

Special to The Recorder Marguerite Press announced that Delores Thornton (author of Ida Mae, Babe, and the upcoming Anybody Seen Junebug), president and CEO, is hosting a radio show called, “A Round 2 It.” The show had its launching on radio station WTLC, AM, 1310, in Indianapolis, on July 4 at 7:15 p.m.

The show will highlight and spotlight African-Ameri-can authors and literary entrepreneurs. Thornton will also offer self publishing tips as well as marketing and promotional tidbits. Most of the Indy arts world is aware of Thornton via her articles that have appeared in The Recorder, and her column in the Indiana Herald. She is

on the production staff of the BlackBoard Times of Columbus, Ohio, as well as a columnist with P.O.W.E.R (a new Indy publication). And now she is ready to help all of the aspiring poets and authors pull out their manuscripts and bits of paper, and get around to publishing their works. There will be book diacussions and book club guesta, as

well as local and national authors and poets. “A Round 2 It” will become a forum for children and adults alike to express their creativity and there will be audience participation by way of a call-in segment. To participate call (317) 239-1310. Contact Thornton at [email protected]. or www.delotesthomton.com.