Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 January 2004 — Page 18

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2004

DELLS

► Continued from Page C3 Fame during an official ceremony in New York on March 14. “Little Richard once said rhythm and hlues had a baby called rock and roll,” Barksdale stated, noting the historical connection between the Dells brand of classic R&B and early rock and roll. "And we are just honored to finally be recognized for our work after 50 years in the business.” ‘7/off. "a product of Atlantabused A&E Records, is now available in most commercial music stores. QUiniNG ► Continued from Page C5 that whites, “insult Black people, brown people, everyonc-but-them people, regularly and gratuitously," pointing out not only domestic mistreatment like Clarence Thomas (“the biggest joke white America ever played on Black America"), but also at the exploitation of Africa, Asia, Sotith America and the Middle East, as proof. I le goes on to state that “the deterioration of American society has been alarmingly rapid” due, in part, to an obsessive greed which mistakes “wealth for worth." Citing the insanely high incidence of violence in this culture, he proceeds to suggest that this civilization might “be disintegrating due to some diffuse and complex social disease eating awa\ at its foundation." Sitting in the Caribbean, a safe distance from the demons which evidently once frustrated his tortured soul, Randall Robinson has managed to craft his best work to date. Quitting America, a valuable primer touting the prevailing Third World perspective, indicts America as an avaricious, insensitive imperial power. Given the author’s considerable intellect and impressive credentials, it’s just too bad that he needed to abandon the struggle and his homeland in order to unbridle his passion and write so effectively and honestly.

Sundance Film Festival accepts 5 works supported by Black group

BlackNews.com NEW YORK - The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) announced that five titles supported in part by NBPC funding will be exhibited at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival Jan. 15-25 in Park City, Utah. The five are: • “Citizen King," produced, directed and written by Orlando Bagwell and Nolan Walker, this two-hour documentary explores the last five years (1.963 - 1.968) of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life premiering in time for Dr. King’s 75th birthday. It is scheduled to air Jan. 19 on PBS' “American Experience.” • “A Place of Our Own," (an ITVS co-presentation) MacArthurand Emmy winning producer-director Stanley Nelson premiers his personal exploration into the rarely seen world of the Black middle class on Martha’s Vineyard. This is

BRING IT

Nelson’s third film at Sundance; he won for both “The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords" (1999) and “The Murder of Emmett Till" (2002). “A Place of Our Own" is scheduled to air Feb. 17 on PBS' “Independent Lens.” • “Chisholm 72" (an ITVS copresentation, PBS’ POV). Firsttime producer-director Shola Lynch explores the complexities of Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s historic campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1972 against the backdrop of 70s icons, politics, music, film and popular culture. • “Brother to Brother,” (an ITVS co-presentation). Newcomer Rodney Evans takes the viewer on a journey into the emotional and psychological discoveries of an 18-year-old gay Afri-can-American artist as he uncovers the hidden legacies of the I larlem Renaissance. “CSA - Confederate States of America." “What if the South had

won?" is the burning question dissected by director Kevin Willmott’s mockumentary that examines American history' from the end of the Civil War to the present. The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) is a non-profit national media arts organization committed to the presentation, funding, promotion, distribution and preservation of positive images of African Americans and the African Diaspora. Since 1990 NBPC has dispersed over $6 million to independent filmmakers, whose works have provided several hundred hours of programming on the national PBS system. Its primary source of funding is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. NBPC supports insightful outreach programs targeted for the national PBS schedule and in the spirit of healthy competition presents a bi-annual international film festival called Prized Pieces.

ESCAPE

► Continued from Page C3 own squad. Eventually the two cheerleading squads had to compete against one another to see which would represent their college in future competitions. Of course in the movie, one can expect to see plenty of cheers and dance routines as well as the challenges involved in being on a quality cheerleading squad. Perhaps the biggest message that this movie sends to the viewer is that of independence. Although Monica and Whittier had achieved a lot of creditability and recognition from being a “varsity cheerleader," they still had the courage to walk away from something they didn’t believe in. That type of attitude can be adapted in any situation, making “Bring It On Again” a movie that stresses the importance of values and standards. Unlike “Bring It On," its sequel doesn’t feature very familiar faces, but there is one actress that is sure to be on her way to mega stardom.

FuaneChambers, who portrays Monica in the movie has natural acting abilities and considerable dance moves that will certainly garner her future success. Chambers is a native of Atlanta and a biology major at Spelman College. This young actress was once the assistant choreographer to Michael Jackson and has toured with, or appeared in videos of such stars as Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Will Smith. She’s also no stranger to the big screen. Chambers has had small roles in “Austin Powers in Goldmember," “Like Mike," and "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” Audiences should expect to see more of Chambers in the future. The “Bring It On Again" DVD features choreographer Tony G’s cheerleading do’s and don’ts, fun facts, and a behind the scenes look at the movie from the actual set. There is also an alternate opening and various deleted scenes on the DVD.

Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, subject of documentary.

► Continued from Page C3 that hut next to the animals and being told I was an animal. I tried to hide my feelings but did not always succeed." “Giemma had an answer for my complaints,” Bok continued. “He said in Arabic ‘You don’t vvanfto get up and walk on your own two legs?’ He pulled my legs from the blanket. Then maybe you don’t need legs. I chop one off for you, and then you can stay there and lie on the ground all you want.’" Bok occasionally saw other children from his village, but could only talk with them briefly and very discreetly. But Bok said he survived by being obedient, learning Arab culture and having faith in God. “It was in thoughts - my happy memories of life with my family, and my dreams of escape - that 1 discovered freedom," Bok w rote. “Giemma and his family could beat me; they

had total control of what I did every day. But they could not touch my thoughts and dreams. In my mind I was free, and it was there in that freedom that 1 planned my escape." After two unsuccessful and dangerous attempts, Bok did just that, escaping to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum where he met a benevolent Arab truck driver who led him to Cairo, Ivgypt. After intervention from both a United Nations agency and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Bok flew to this country in 1999In September of 2()()() B< )k sjx >kc before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, saving, “Today in Sudan and around the world therearechildrenvvhocannot sleep at night.They lieOn theground and wait for strong people to free them. Senators, you are strong people with a big voice and strong arms. You can free the slaves."

Last year Bok met with President Bush to discuss the possibility of American intervention on the issue. He later stated that current slaver) in Africa probably has to do with the desife of certain groups to have economic and racial superiority (some Arabs, for i nstance see t hemselves as "wh i t e”. in comparison to their darker neighbors), I have given the readers a basic idea of what eventually happens to Bok, but the actual details of his long journey to freedom are unforgettable, to say th(* least. I strongly recommend Escape From Slaven' to anyone, and I give my personal guarantee that you will not be able to put it down. Escape From Slavery: The D ue Ston ofMv Ten Years in Captivity - And My Journey to Freedom in America," is available at local bookstores such as X-Pression, Barnes and Noble and Borders.

EffN f YOU MNIT HAY, YOU STILL WW! HOOSIER LOTTERY PROFITS HAVE GENERATED OVER $2.2 BILLION FOR THE STATE, INCLODING MORE THAN $592 MILLION TO LOWER EXCISE TAXES ON YOUR PLATES

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