Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 December 2002 — Page 17
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13,2002 ■ PAGE Cl
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I N S I D E • C • SECTION*PEO PL E & TRENDS
BOOKMARK
If you’re Black, special ed
isn’t special
By KAM WILLIAMS F«r Th« Rccontor
(Racial Inequity in Special Education, edited by Daniel J. Losen and Gary Orfield, Harvard Education Press, 298 pages, illustrated.)
Turns out special education isn’t all that special, especially if you’re Black. Hie Civil Rights Project at Harvard University sponsored a stuctyof special ed across the country and published the alarming results in Racial Inequity in Special Education. Edited by Daniel J. Losen and Gary Orfield, the book basically indicts the American educational system for its overrepresentation of AfricanAmerican youth in the mildly retarded and emotionallytroubled categories and for its simultaneous underfunding of treatment for those with the disabilities. What’s so disturbing is that the authors admit that the process of determining exactly who is mentally-retarded or emo-tionally-unhinged is rather subjective. Apparently, it is very easyforakid with environmental risk factors, who might merely be lacking good nutrition or proper parenting, for instance, to be sent to special ed classes. And, as the book indicates, for Blacks, special ed is a sort of “roach motel” of academics, where you checkin, but you never get out. The study is just chock full of supporting data in this regard, citing shocking statistics to show how most states’ school systems have, in an end run around the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, become resegregated by routinely assessing African-American youth as somehow troubled or underachievers and diverting them to unchallenging classrooms where they are not expected to rgoin an academic oriented track. The book indicates that the fallout from this failure to educate can be measured almost immediately. For instance, Black boys“are more likely to be suspended and expelled and tend to receive harsher penalties for behavioral offensesthan their white peers." Furthermore, “African-Ameri-can children also constitute 26 percent of school-age youth who are arrested, 30 percent of the cases in juvenile courts, 45 percent of youth in juvfcnile detention, and 46 percent of cases waived into the adult criminal courts.”
► Sm BOOK, Fa«e C2
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IMAGE AWARDS
‘Brown Sugar’
leads movie nominations
Taya Diggs and Sanaa Lathan - “Brown Sugar" Special to Tha Rocortfor
The romantic movie “Brown Sugar” leads the field with eight nominations, including one in the best picture category for the 34th annual
NAACP Image AvwpJs,- „
Rapper/actors Queen Latitah and Mos Def each earned supporting performer nominations, while the film’s Fox/MCA soundtrack
was also nominated. f • ~
The awards — which also honor achievements in music, television, and literature —
the Universal
will be taped March 8 at
Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and will air March
13 on Fox.
The big screen comedy “Barbershop” scored
(Fox Searchlight Pictures) five nominations, including acting nods for star Ice Cube and supporting actress/rapper Eve, as well as a best picture notice. Here is the full list of NAACP Image Awards nominees in the various categories: Motion Picture Outstanding Supporting Actress iii ft mouoii nciure: Halle Berry - “Die Another Day” (MGM) Queen Latifah - “Brown Sugar” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Nicole Ari Parker - “Brown Sugar” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Eve Jihan Jeffers - “Barbershop” (MGM)
► See AWARDS, Page C3
MOVIE REVIEW
‘Drumline’ delivers an uplifting message
By KAM WILUAMS For The Recorder
The National Negro College Fund’s slogan is “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” And judging by “Drumline," the worst waste of a Black brain might be in a mediocre marching band. This film highlights those fierce musical competitions which take place between rival schools each fall weekend during halftime of football
Review
pleasantly surprised by “Drumline.” From the commercials, it looked like a cross be-
tween “Bring It On,” that cheerleading competiton flick from a couple years back, and “Our Song,” the critically-ac-claimed independent film about
all-Black
★★★i
(out of ★★★★)
PC-13 for profanity and sexual Innuendo.
(I to r) Nick Cannon, Orlando Jonaa, and Laonard Roberta
games. Enlightening while entertaining, the movie illustrates the dedication and preparation demanded of each band member in order to create such complex combinations of orchestra and choreography. I have to admit that I was very
marching band from Brooklyn. But I am happy to report that “Drumline” exceeded all my expectations, and that it’s actually a better movie than either of its
antecedents.
Nobody goes to a football
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Children relate to Black Santa Claus
4;>
By JOSHUA CONEN Staff Writer
“I will always believe in Santa,” confessed Debra Wilburn, owner of Fabulous Photos. Wilburn set up an opportunity for AfricanAmerican children to come and take a picture with and ask for Christmas presents from a Black Santa Claus, one they could identify with. “I feel that it’s a need for the Black population,” said Wilburn. “There is always a white Santa at the stores, but many parents teach their children Santa is Black. This is something
needed in the community.”
Wilburn also donated $1 from every photo sale to the YMCA annual Block Party, an event that raises money for back-to-school supplies for kids. Wilburn also works for the YMCA with children in a before and after school pro-
Both Wilburn and Jointer agree the most important part is that the kids have a good time. “As long as we get a chance to see kids smile it’s worthwhile,” said Jointer.
gram.
Tfs good to get kids a different Santa they oakra WEbum asks Santa to give cWldrM can relate to,” said Triston Jointer, Wilburn s tomething to be happy about and make her
nephew and the man behind the beard.
THE HOT SPOT
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Actor Chris Tucker spoke at a recent Debt relief, Aide & Trade in Africa (DATA) event at the Madame Walker Theatre. The event Included a diverse group of community and political leaders, community activists and student activists.
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The Greater Vision Dance Ministry put onaahow at the Heart and Soul Benefit Concert for Liberia. The concert wa
House CaM In the Glendale Shopping Mod.
Maya White (left) and MetvtnaSweatt (right) show others how to do the New Jersey Stmt at the Altruistic Soul Gospel Jam, an event to show Christians they can enjoy thsmsolees without alcohol or any negativity. (Photoa/Shki W.)
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historv of hie book. The