Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 November 2002 — Page 22

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2002

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VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION SALE DATES: November 2, 9, 16, 23 SALE START PROMPTLY AT 9:00 AM / Preview at 8:00 AM $100 refundable deposit required for bid number. Bidding starts at $75. $25 Buyer’s fee for any item over $100. Sales tax will be collected from individuals. Dealers must show proof of license. CASH ONLY All items sold “as is" with no warranties implied or given. Volunteers of America, 64 N. 1st Avenue, Beech Grove, IN for More Information please call 780-2277

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Biography doesn’t delve in the real Cochran

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“What we have in this country is the appearance of justice... it’s all a charade. What happens in a courtroom has little to do with real justice for defendants.” Johnnie Cochran

unabashed infomercial for his law firm, the next moment, an eloquent, impassioned expose of the legal system. I suspect that Fisher was responsible for the former, Johnnie for the latter. But I really don’t know. For example, get a load of this excerpt from Chapter 1 which reads like crass copy from a TV commercial: “The Cochran firm today consists of 120 attorneys. We Jiave offices in eight states and have received verdicts valued at more than a billion dollars. It is the largest and most successful plaintiff firm in this country - and growing.” Who wants to read a sales pitch in the middle of a biography? Not I. And this one contains many such self-serving

asides. However, when not shamelessly promoting himself, the other half of the split Cochran personality is devoted mostly to discussing his favorite cases. The book offers little reflection here of a truly personal nature, as it consists primarily of a retelling of Johnnie’s already well-publicized legal battles on behalf of his beleaguered clients. He has been the attorney of record in more celebrated cases than I care to recount, including Amadou Diallo, Reginald Denny, Abner Louima, Michael Jackson and Sean “P. Diddy” aka “Puffy” Combs. And how does Cochran feel about the legal system itself? “A lifetime working in the legal system has forced me to deal with reality. What we have in this country is the appearance of justice ... it’s all a charade. What happens in a courtroom has little to do with real justice for defendants. The presumption that you are innocent until proven guilty just doesn’t exist, particularly if a suspect is Black or Latino.” Love him or hate him, A Lawyer’s Life only stirs the same pot some more. And Cochran emerges still the most famous, or most infamous, attorney in America today, depending on your point-of-view. But this opus won’t change any minds, because we don’t gain much insight into Johnny Cochran, the man. That would take a true autobiography, a heartfelt tell-all written by Johnny alone, not a take the money and run quickie crafted in concert with a hack for hire to showbiz stars.

Children to celebrate world’s diversity through arts and music

The energy and enthusiasm for learning will be contagious when local children share multicultural music performances at the Indianapolis International Festival Nov. 1-3. On Nov. 1 at 6 p.m., children will demonstrate Okinawan Eisa drum dancing with Kodomo Kai children’s Eisa troupe on the Main Stage. The children had their debut performance during the opening ceremony of the World Basketball Championships in August. Members of Yu Yu Kai, a local group of Eisa dancers, taught the boys the animated dance and drum techniques during the AYS Summer Arts Academy. Eisa dancing is a folk performance aft believed to have origi-

nated in the 17th century on the Japanese island of Okinawa. Originally linked with Buddhist religious ceremonies honoring departed loved ones, the Eisa dance has become a widely popular folk dance incorporating chanting, dancing and drumming. On Nov. 2 at 10:30 a.m., children, along with local mariachi band Zelaya, will lead a Dia de los Muertos parade through the festival grounds. Children in many AYS programs are exploring the customs, foods, music and significance of the Mexican holiday through AYS’ multicultural arts enrichment program. On Nov. 3 at noon, young djembe drummers from the after-

school program at IPS School 92 will perform on the Main Stage. The children have been learning rhythms, techniques and history of drumming during weekly sessions with professional drummers Lawrence Clark III. They debuted their talents at Indianapolis’ Lights On Afterschool rally on Oct. 10. AYS is a not-for profit youth services agency providing beforeand after-school programs and summer day camps in Indianapolis for more than 20 years. The Summer Arts Academy is part of the AYStars multicultural arts education initiative, which helps children build cultural understanding and explore their artistic potential during after-school and summer programs.

URBAN ARTS CONSORTIUM OF INDIANAPOLIS, Inc. Presents

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Saturday, November 2nd 7:30 PM Madam Walker Theater 617 Indiana Avenue $ 12.50 Advance, or $ 15 at the door $8 Advance or $ 10 at the door $5 ages 12 and under 10% Discount for advance group sales Tickets on sale at: UACI-703 E. 30th Street Ticket Central - Circle Center Mall Arts Garden Elevations Book & Coffee Shop - 4202 W. 56th St. (Guion Rd.) Kuaba Gallery of African Art - 876 Massachusetts Ave. For More Information, call 317.927.7260

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