sual A i ud We profile V Brad Cox explores the io two unique secret motive behind C Atlanta the Devo and artists and Disney partnership preview to create a new 6the hottest 2music exprience o summer events targeted at 5 to 8 in the city. year olds. n re tu u

o t

C 19 e 06 R Grady’s third annual fashion a n show, Urban Couture, was c 1a great success of whirling e

silks and satins. We provide R the definitive photo archive t i

of this epic event. o t

6 s s rum st o R As10 part of a city- wide initiative to remember some of the darkest days in Atlanta history, Senior Russell Owens Nexus takes an in-depth look discusses racial issues that 1have affected his life over the erie at the causes, the events and years. Sophomore Taylor Kelly ag explains machismo’s role in n the aftermath of the race riot e Grady’s supposed race fights. that plagued Atlanta 100 years M

8 ago this September. Cramer discusses how the physics of 2pressure can save your life. ‘06 graduates leave some pearls for the 0underclassmen.

C o v e r Design by nexus Micah Weiss and Robinson Volume 2 Issue 4 Levin May-June 2006 Contributing Writers Brad Cox - Rising Junior From Brad is king of the Grady High School Knights of Sound. He serves as drum major for the school’s The band and marched them all the way to the Georgia Dome last November. He was the only APS student chosen for Georgia’s All-State Band Staff because of his mad oboe skills. His first break as a journalist came when covering Coach Millen’s As we close the school year and the first full publica- departure from and return to Grady last spring. tion year of Nexus, we feel it’s a perfect time to celebrate Ramika Gourdine- Rising Senior with pride the many ways in which our campus has come Ramika means business and will take out anyone together culturally, be they art shows, music festivals, po- who gets in her way. Even though she’s a great etry readings or sports victories, Grady has pulled together, student, her day pretty much starts at 3:15 making this campus a true nexus for our community. p.m. Ramika writes quality commentaries for In this issue we look even further into the past, back 100 Youth Radio, is an incoming Comment and Copy years when Atlanta came together in a much more unfortu- Editor for The Southerner and is the most versatile nate and tragic way. Nexus presents the story of the Atlanta member of the Grady’s forensics team, serving as Race Riot. In addressing this topic, we are pleased to join policy debater and individual-events competitor. a citywide initiative to revisit this dark and significant mo- Taylor Kelley - Rising Junior ment in our city’s history. Most of us know too little about Taylor is one of the most talented musicians to ever it, in part because remembering it forces us to question the walk the halls of Grady. He frequently shows off positive image that our city’s business and political lead- his abilities to those gathered for annual talent ers have promoted throughout Atlanta’s history. While we shows or other musical performances on campus. want to believe that this image reflects a larger truth about Taylor is often rewarded for showing off his skills, earning big bucks to play for neighborhood our openness to other cultures, Grady’s own moment of parties. A violent month of May prompted Taylor to unfortunate violence in the courtyard on May 5 reminds strike back by writing about, well, violence. us that we must be willing to test our assumptions about Sarah Beth McKay - Rising Senior the sincerity and depth of our sense of community. We Sarah Beth McKay is perfect. She’s an exceptional are fortunate to live in a society that is mostly accepting student with a GPA and SAT score in the of different cultures and ethnicities, even if it isn’t perfect. stratosphere. Sarah Beth is an award-winning It is in part because of the horrors of the past that humans policy debater, incoming co-managing editor of are slowly able to learn from their mistakes and correct the The Southerner, has revolutionized the timekeeper atrocities of their forefathers. role in Georgia Mock Trial and will be the top seed The 1906 riots are one of those pivotal moments in time on the girls tennis team next season. Look for her at that showcase the demons that live within mankind, which Harvard or UPenn in the fall of ‘07. cause moral individuals to initiate change. In the examina- Russell Owens - Rising Seminole tion of those times we find the universal truths which make Russell Owens is literally Mr. Grady. He embodies history such an important discipline. Grady’s character and spirit in ways that no one This year history students at Grady had the opportunity else can. He values the school’s diversity and to research the riots and come away with a better under- calls us out when we don’t live up to it. He’s a member of Florida State’s class of 2010, but his standing. It is their pleasure—and ours—to raise aware- contributions to Grady, especially in the drama ness within and beyond the Grady community of the exact department, will live on well into the future. events that occurred in a fateful September 100 years ago.

Nexus: a publication of The Southerner Volume 2 Issue 4

Staff: Jessica Baer, Lena Brodsky, Emma Advertising: Nexus is a non-profit Submissions: Nexus is a submission- Din, Ramika Gourdine, Stone Irvin, Sam organization that relies on advertising based publication that relies on your Johnson, Robinson Levin, Madeleine to generate revenue to cover printing submissions for its content. Nexus Webb, Matt Westmoreland. and maintenance costs. Nexus is read accepts submissions for all of its sections Managing Editor: Micah Weiss by approximately 1,500 people and is and features (submissions may be edited Design Editor: Sarah Beth McKay a great way to publicize your business. for length or content). Submission forms Print Staff: Alvin Hambick, Harlon To advertise with Nexus, contact Dave are located in the Southerner room, or can Heard, Michael Jackson, Adlai McClure, Winter at [email protected]. be obtained from Mr. Winter. For more Charlotte Napper, Benjamin Shaw Nexus is a bimonthly publication of: information, or to turn a submission in, Founding Editors: Harrison Martin and Henry W. Grady High School please contact Mr. Winter or any member Micah Weiss 929 Charles Allen Drive NE of the staff at [email protected]. Adviser: Dave Winter Atlanta, GA 30309 audio ‘80s hits meet Disney vision Disney and Devo combine to whip out a child-targeted 2nd-edition gimmick In order to fully appreciate show Rugrats. At any rate , the emergence of something (or justly not appreciate) like DEV2.0 should in no way be a surprise to anyone. this music, one must first Now with the important background knowledge in understand exactly what DEV2.0 hand, it is much easier for us to examine the album is. According to clubdevo.com, itself. The band follows the typical Disney band format, “DEV2.0 is a strange , Corporate- in that it is composed of five kids between the ages Feudal experiment that attempts of 10 and 12. All they pretty much did was take 12 to bring the original DEVO music of Devo’s greatest hits and cover them. Given these sensibility to children in the 5 to kids’ age , the music is extremely impressive. The 8 year old demographic range.” backgrounds and synthesizer especially are excellent This is an extremely important piece of information to keep imitations musically. The lead singer’s impersonation of in mind when critically listening to this album: this music Mothersbaugh’s odd singing style is generally very good. is most likely not going appeal to older teens and adults All of this praise is made with the knowledge that these because it’s not supposed to be. Mark Mothersbaugh are just a bunch of kids. The music itself has a much more and Gerry Casale , the original founders of Devo, in “poppy” feel to it, and especially with the singing, the music league with Disney, produced this album in an effort to has been clearly shifted to appeal to the much younger allow their music to speak to the younger generation audience. Their version of “Whip It” provides a perfect and not die with the breakup of their group in 1991. example. There are obvious times where the singer falls Genius really, and certainly not beyond Devo. As if their out of her Mothersbaugh style and begins to just sound foundation wasn’t odd enough, being essentially a satirical like an excited 12-year-old girl, and the backup singing act criticizing American society’s regression away from on the chorus of “you must whip it” sounds nothing like individuality by forming a band with mechanized futuristic the original song; however, it need not be a facsimile of music that marched around mechanically dressed alike the original. The kids aren’t going to know the difference , with overprocessed hair. The whole thing was based off and if it sounds more like fun to them, then they are much of the idea of “De-evolution” (which is where the name more likely to listen, right? Maybe. It may be true that of the group came from), a half-joking philosophy that the impersonation of the group is pretty good for a few Mothersbaugh and Casale developed while in college. elementary-aged kids. From a purely musical standpoint, The group has since had no problem selling the rights however, that’s all this is: an impersonation. The problem to their songs for commercial use and has even changed when you’re covering songs is you have to add something lyrics for commercials (most popularly when changing the different to the mix. You have to add your own personal words of “Whip It” to such things as “You Must Swiff it”). flavor to the song (just ask Devo themselves when they Mothersbaugh is also known for more recently writing the covered the popular Rolling Stones tune “Satisfaction”), music to Peewee’s Playhouse and the Nickelodeon television otherwise it’s just you’re group doing some other group’s

2 [NEXUS]May-June 2006 audio “Satisfaction”). Otherwise it’s just your group was based on the philosophy of De-evolution: doing some other group’s song. Garage band how we as a society are headed down a dark our stuff. Sure, it’s fun, but the public doesn’t want path towards militaristic uniformity. They to hear that mess. This is professional music: mocked it constantly in everything they did. playlists it’s a business, and you’re trying to convince The outfits, the hair, the dancing, even the people out there that it’s worth their hard- robotic beats of the music itself. After that, earned money for them to buy your music. And remember that Mothersbaugh wrote the if you’re not doing anything new with the song, music for Peewee’s Playhouse and Rugrats. then what do they get? They get your group Both of those shows contain elements playing some other group’s song, and odds that could very easily be suggestive of are they’re not going to be that interested. De-evolution. Peewee Herman’s behavior The public wants something new and exciting, certainly seems suggestive of regression Alastair Carter-Boff something from a musical standpoint that this back towards a primitive stage of humanity, -Islands album does not achieve. So there you have it. and the Rugrats are babies that talk and -Why? Musically, this album is worthless. It is not worth analyze situations for themselves while your money to listen to a cheap imitation of their idiot parents are completely clueless. -Gnarls Barkley good music, because it’s nothing special. If Devo was quick to get their songs on -Yeah Yeah Yeahs you look at the other aspects of this album commercials, even changing the words to -Final Fantasy outside of the music, however, the inspiration contain commercial slogans. Don’t you see? -Of Montreal and the hope to keep the statements made It’s all part of the Devo trick! Everything -Walk the Line Soundtrack by Devo alive, then maybe it’s not worthless. they do is mocking our society and the sad -Elvis Presley It really comes down to one final thing: which truth of its regression! And we’re sitting here one is more important to you? The quality of completely clueless while they are laughing listening material or the principle of stirring hysterically at us. That is the answer. That is up interest among a younger generation the why this album has been created. It’s not music of the older generation and merely really about young people making music appreciating that this is darn good work for or about the entertainment of 5-year-old these child musicians. That’s what’s going to children. This, like everything else that they determine the worth of this album: the way have done since the group formed in 1972, Stone Irvin you choose to look at it. And I’ll say, both sides is yet another cruel way for them to prove -Rev Rebel have some very good points.But, before you their theory of De-evolution and mock our put down this article having made up your society by proving just what’s wrong with -The Beatles mind about what you think about DEV2.0, us. Devo has done it again! Disney has just -Weezer there is one final thing that is to be examined. been duped, and they don’t even realize it. -Tool We have been looking at this thing from the The joke is on us, and all the while, Devo -Lemon Demon surface. Step back a minute and think. Disney. will be sitting at home on their couches, -Bela Fleck Devo. Why? The answer reveals the real reason laughing and laughing and laughing. -Janis Joplin Devo exists in the first place. Devo’s existence -Brad Cox -Sublime Releases Album Artist Date

Big Bang Busta Rhymes June 13

Don’t Know Who I Think I Was: [Jessica Baer] The Replacements June 13 The Best Of -Brad Cox I’m Going to Tell You a -Iron & Wine Madonna June 20 Secret -Hitman Sammy Sam Ganging up on the Sun Guster June 20 -John Coltrane -Saul Williams Diana Ross June 20 Blue -Louis Armstrong Dusk and Summer Dashboard Confessional June 27 -Jesus Christ Superstar -Professor Gary W. Gallagher 3 audio Burning Spear, a jolly, well-fed looking Jamaican man with dreads longer than my arms. Hmmm – everyone in the wildly diverse crowd (including white people, including myself) was throwing up their hands dancing around to the music. I found myself thinking back to Jimmy Cliff’s 1983 jam “American Dream”, in which he asks “The American dream is not what it seem…why do you slumber?” Many Americans listen to reggae, but I doubt that those who switch on the tunes really know what they’re listening to. Reggae itself is not only un-American; the very core of much of reggae is anti-American. A tidbit of Jamaican history. The former colonial country, seized and forced into slavery by the British for many hundred years, has only been independent for some 60 years. The music of reggae was born in the slums of Kingston around this time of newfound independence as the music of the “free people.” Reggae’s hollow backbeats emerged from political turmoil and social upheaval; thus, the music’s veins run with politically oriented messages such as slavery, human rights, liberation, unity Stone IrvinStone and religious faith. Ever heard the word Babylon in a reggae song? This is the name for the white political power machine that seized Politics in reggae today and enslaved Jamaicans not so long ago and continues to oppress Anti-American feelings clear, present the nation. Reggae artists clearly seek to remind blacks of their Though Bob Marley may figure as the archetypal heritage and to implore them to reunite in the opposition to the music god to nouveau Bohemians and high school “Babylon system”. Take Messian Dread’s 1988 song discreetly pseudo-hippies, his message is a far cry from that of titled Babylon: “Babylon, let me tell you about Babylon/Let me his American listeners—America is not my home. sing a song about the whore/where every king of the earth has It never was. Reggae (in of all its subcategories: ska, dance slept with/Babylon she is causing is pain and mysery/Some say hall, dub, Nyabingi, One Drop, and Rockers all virtually she’s a mystery, but it is not for you and not for me/To cooperate indistinguishable to the foreign ear) struck a chord in the U.S. with her in this hurt society/Cause evil is her plan you know, when the music of Kingston’s slums rode into the mainland on evil her aims”. Think that white kid with the dreads and the the back of musician Jimmy Cliff in the 1973 film The Harder bong knows he’s talking about his own race when he sings They Come, which preceded the arrival of Marley and his band. along? Bet not. But who’s to stop American reggae lovers Marley and the Wailers popularized the inverted rhythms and from harboring their musical tastes under the umbrella of prominent bass lines of reggae with America’s generation reggae – after all, unity, love and good music is for everyone. of flower children, Vietnam protesters and free spirits. White -Madeleine Webb artists, notably Eric Clapton and Paul Simon, would appropriate nobbery worse than ‘terrible’ taste the new noise, and reggae-ish vibes could be detected in rock S Music snobs—you dent or “inde” labels, but and rap as early as the ‘80s. The music of the “Revolution” had know who you are. You music snobs need to realize found an explosively growing niche in the West, but more hate music that isn’t deep. that genre alone doesn’t impressively, it accomplished something no other genre can You despise music whose make music good or catchy. boast – in truth, reggae had fostered fans across enemy lines. melodies are simple, you Songs you hear on the An avid reggae listener, I’d throw on a Bob CD on a sunny day can’t stand when songs have radio, singers like Kelly and sit on my porch letting the Caribbean vibes transport me to a limited number of chords, Clarkson and cheesy songs the beach. Melody Makers while I was writing, Stevie S when I and above all you discrimi- from movie sound tracks, wanted to get rasta-crunk, Peter Tosh while I was soaking in the nate against songs that have can be fun to listen to, even tub, Black Uhuru when I was feeling deep. Previously, I had only recently grown popular. if they’re not great “art.” read peaceful themes into the music—non-violence, justification If it isn’t evident already, I People like songs for differ- for smoking reefer and praise for Jah (God in the Rastafarian don’t know much about mu- ent reasons, and you music religion). And sure, anyone who’s ever only even brushed sic. When it comes to songs snobs should remember the surface of reggae knows Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier,” I either like them or I don’t. that. It’s important to be tol- “Redemption Song,” or “The Heathen” - wistful tunes of home, But I have learned that it’s erant of everyone’s taste in sad reminders of oppression and calls for remembrance and never fun to be around mu- music, and not visibly scoff salvation. It is true that much of reggae is very spiritual as well as sic snobs, as they deflate me at people’s musical prefer- extremely political, but in truth, it was only until I saw one of my with snide comments about ences just because it isn’t favorite Jamaican artists, Burning Spear, in concert that I realized my “horrible” taste in music. what you consider good. the extreme anti-American feelings intrinsic to Jamaican reggae. Sure I listen to indepen- -Janna Kaplan “I ain’t got no Uncle Sam, I ain’t got no Uncle Sam,” chanted [NEXUS]May-June 2006 4 audio For Blood and Empire [Antiflag Anti-Flag’s latest CD, For Blood And Empire is one of varying styles and effects. Where the first, second and fourth tracks have a much more standard punk feel to them, much of the rest of the Ways Not To Lose album brings to mind such Supremacy [Wood Brothers] disgraces of modern music [Supreeme] as Blink 182, Green Day and for” various social, ethnic It is nearly impossible Good Charlotte. To be fair, I Atlanta-based rap and religious groups. While group Supreeme has to describe the unique was impressed with the song, I appreciate the message sound of the Wood Brothers “Emigre,” namely its opening produced Supremacy, the Anti-Flag is trying to send, everyman’s rap album. in Ways Not To Lose because lines: “First they came for the it is simply lost among all of the descriptions Communists, and I did not With a larger budget and the veritable maelstrom of crisper production at their that come to mind seem speak out. Then they came uninspired political expression contradictory. The songs for the Socialists, and I did not disposal, and approval and mind-numbingly repetitive from Murs, underground are soothing yet lively, speak out. Next they came for instrumentals coming out traditional yet modern, a the Trade-Unionists, and I did rap’s biggest success story, of the mainstream punk the group could’ve made mix of Woody Guthrie and not speak out. And then they genre. If you want truly Jack Johnson. However came for me.” The lines refer Supremacy the album that thoughtful, politically-inspired would ensure they never inconsistent this blend might to a poem that was written music that doesn’t beat seem, it actually makes for to reflect on the silence of play a house show again. you over the head with its And, for the most part, it a refreshingly new feel; the intellectuals in Germany message, look elsewhere.

distinctive folk flavor of the as the Nazis rose to power is that good. “Supply and -Paul Katzmanòò album is enhanced—not and systematically “came Demand,” the group’s tainted—by hints of rock, pop collaboration with fellow and country. The intriguingly 10,000 Days [Tool] Atlantan J-Young, certainly does supply quality music. raw voices of the two band is still putting their ”Winterfresh” proves that brothers are complemented all into every song, Maynard’s the group is really working by the smooth sounds of voice is how you’d expect to develop a unique sound. bass and guitar. Their mastery an angel to sound: Adam’s But even though the album is obvious; there is never a guitar injects you with venom, is impressive, with so many chord out of place, nor is there Justin’s bass hits you like a ton new resources, the group ever a moment in a song that of bricks, and Danny’s drums could’ve delivered more. is cluttered by needless noise. make you anticipate every Sure, the sound is more The result is an elegant and beat. The only complaint I have refined, and the packaging simple ambience that is only Tool’s new 10,000 Days is about this album is the last is impressive, but the album occaisionally repetitive or dull. roughly what you would get song on the CD. While most leaves you wanting more— From the mellow “Chocolate if two of their older albums: other Tool albums end with a in a good way. Listeners on My Tongue” accompanied Lateralus and Ænima, had a long song that leaves a listener recognize that the album is by an acoustic guitar and love child. It has its rock-your- with a feeling of closure, impressive, but you’ll wish bass to the eccentric and face-off heavy songs, and its 10,000 Days ending track left that they had pushed a little electric “Where My Baby sit-back-and-enjoy-the-ride me feeling a bit confused; I bit harder and added that Might Be,” Ways Not to Lose soft songs. Songs like “Right In wasn’t sure if I was about to be extra track that would’ve has something for everyone. Two” and “10,000 Days (Wings attacked with a wall of sound, made the album mind- Listening to this album makes Pt. 2)” will please anyone who or if the album was really over, blowing. But the album you want to learn the lyrics, loves Tool’s long journeys into and upon finding out it was, may just be a taste of what not for their introspective the center of the mind, while I felt a tad let down. Though the group has in store for value, but because you fans of their heavier songs the album is not my favorite, their next trip to the studio. will want to sing along. will enjoy “The Pot,” “Jambi” or it was worth every penny. -Alastair Carter-Boff -Kelly Douglas “Rosetta Stoned,” which has -Dylan Edmondson òòòò an amazing vocal track. The òòòò òòòò 5 Visual FARE THEE WELL NEXUS GRADS: With summer comin’ round... Alastair is never there when he says he Stuff to be Seen, Read, and Done will be and is against BY MADELEINE WEBB AND LENA BRODSKY picking up his phone, but we still like him, his poetry and his With no more school and crazy nerd-emo music. long days ahead, Nexus is checking Jeff is always run- out all the cool stuff coming to the ATL this ning. Without his tall summer, starting with the Georgia Shakespeare curly-haired approach to Rostrum, however, Festival at Oglethorpe University’s Conant Perform- the section probably ing Arts Center from June 3-7. This year’s performances would never have got- include Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Othello. June 21-25 brings ten off the ground. Athfest - Athens’ incredibly tight music and arts festival (where you’ll actually see bands you’ll be able to brag about later when they get famous) that features nightly club crawls. The Atlanta Duy knows more about InDesign Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary with another year’s than the rest of us worth of notoriously innovative indie fl icks, and Dad’s Garage combined, and though will be showing Die! Mommy! Die!, a glamorous Holly- we truly will miss wood-esque melodrama combining sex, his mellow ease and murder, and mystery without actually on-call tech support, he surely won’t miss creating a sexy murder mystery. us bugging him all the time. Die! Mommy! Die! runs at Dad’s Garage June 2-July 1. Micah is one overacheiving, exceedingly well rounded Jew who pulled Nexus together for two years and is intimidating even when A ‘slam’ crippled. The most important metamorphosis ever-present hypocrisies of this ethical conundrum of in the modern-day poetry scene is a nation. embodied in the slam poetry movement, The movie centers around an African-American man living which began in the 1990s. While the in D.C. named Raymond (Williams) who survives the harsh movement’s validity as an art form is still climate of the times through selling marijuana and writing. being debated by critics, the by-products Ray is picked up by the police and meets a woman, Sonja of slam poetry have certainly rooted Sohn (Lauren Bell), who also shares his passion for poetry. themselves within the present-day American culture. The The acting is spectacular, with Saul Williams and Lauren 1998 movie Slam was created by spoken-word artist Saul Bell delivering particularly moving performances. Though Williams, and seems to have gotten lost in the pseudo- there were a bit too many clichéd fi lming techniques, the intellectual nonsense comprising “indie” fi lms of the past words and performers make up for it with their brutal two decades. Possibly this is a result of the uncomfortable starkness. If you’re looking for a fi lm that ignores the plight accusations Slam makes, and largely justifi es, on American of the downtrodden proletariat for the trivial concerns of the society. bourgeoisie, Matthew McConaughey is sure to make enough The complacency of middle-class America most directly romantic comedies to waste time you don’t even have, but seen in these past few years through the treatment of if you’re looking for a fi lm that addresses important socio- Islamic Americans is obvious in cinematic trends. If for no economic trends with depth and amazing diction, Slam is other reason, Slam is important for addressing these extremely fulfi lling. - Jessica Baer 6 visual Not United Over UNITED 93

Five years after the 9/11 attacks on the World Thank Trade Center, Americans remain posed with the dilemma of recovering from the aftermath of that You For day on our society and our foreign relations. In the midst of the pain, suffering and healing, Universal Studios has chosen to make a fi lm depicting the Smoking story of those brave souls who gave their lives to Based on Christopher prevent the demise of the White House. Thrown in Buckley’s novel of the same with the myriad of other questions left unanswered by name, Thank You For Smoking Sept. 11, 2001 is another: Is a movie about United Flight 93 is a satirical comedy revolving appropriate in the climate of the War on Terror? around the life of Nick Naylor (played United 93’s writer and director, Paul Greengrass, was met by Aaron Eckhart): a talented, fast-talking spokesman for with an overwhelmingly positive response when consulting fi ctional corporation “Big Tobacco.” Once a week he meets each victim’s family about making the movie, for which he received unanimous approval. Does that, however, mean with his peers: a representative of the alcohol industry and a that those individuals are the only people who should have defender of fi rearms. Together the three comprise of a group a say in the decision to make the fi lm? I think not. When the they self-effacingly call the “Merchants Of Death”. When entirety of a society is engulfed in internal confl ict, self-gain Naylor’s life begins to feel confl icted after his son begins to and entertainment are completely inappropriate. It is hard question the morality of his dad’s job, Naylor brings his son enough to move forward after living through an ordeal into his corporate world to explain that the world is lot more such as 9/11 without people out to make a quick buck complicated than it seems. and get their pictures on TV. More loved ones are dying What works for the fi lm is the witty dialogue and outstanding everyday in the so-called War on Terror. Hollywood should acting. Katie Holmes and Rob Lowe are both in the movie in lay off—at least until tensions have cooled down. small but memorable roles, Holmes playing a feisty journalist What sets this fi lm apart from other 9/11-based movies is not afraid to get “close” to Naylor to get her story and Lowe its intention to teach of terrorism. The supporters of United as a charmingly spacey Hollywood agent obsessed with 93 boast of the fi lm’s hardcore stance against terrorism, including Rush Limbaugh’s public fuss about the great pop-Japanese culture. Fans of the O.C. will be excited to see anti-terror message the fi lm: “The overwhelming emotion Adam Brody as Lowe’s personal assistant. My personal favorite I had was sheer anger at the terrorists, bordering on addition to the fi lm was William H. Macy as Vermont senator hatred,” he said on his radio show following a screening Ortolan K. Finistirre lobbying for a large sticker with a skull and of the movie. Limbaugh advocates that everyone should crossbones symbol on all cigarette packages. see United because it will “refocus the reason we’re in the Thank You For Smoking is a hilariously ironic comedy: you’ll War on Terror”, but really, in a world where racial profi ling fi nd yourself laughing at things you feel you shouldn’t find runs rampant and only thwarts efforts for racial equality, amusing. What I like most about the fi lm is that is also raises teaching to fear Americans of Islamic descent will only some deeper philosophical and moral issues, without taking make things worse. them (or themselves) too seriously. This approach keeps us from focusing on what is - Lee Allen important. We should be unifying as a nation, much like the days following the attack. Instead, we are now singling out and fearing certain ethnic populations. We do have to Memorable Line from the Film remember and memorialize the heroes of United Flight

93, but we should do so by putting our energy towards that same type of initiative and courage. In his director’s We don’t sell Tic Tacs, we sell statement, Greengrass argues that the passengers of that fl ight were the fi rst to enter the post 9/11 world. He explains “cigarettes. And they’re cool,“ that the same questions they had to ask themselves, we are still faced with—mainly, that they had to decide whether or available, and *addictive*. The job not to “fi ght back and strike at them before they strike at us.” I don’t think Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett, Todd Beamer and is almost done for us. the others on the fl ight meant to teach us a lesson of hatred, but instead pride in our country. - Ramika Gourdine 7 visual The Atlanta Art Scene: Meet the players John Dirga’s apartment is right next to When I met Katherine Lynn, I several of Atlanta’s hippest bars, overlooks the old Cotton was standing next to both the Majestic Diner and Mill, and has rats living upstairs. It might just be the best the original Atlanta Krispy Kreme, while across from place for an me was the Fox Theater and just beyond that, the artist to live. Clermont Hotel. Atlantans know that’s not possible: I D i r g a ’ s was standing among Lynn’s Atlanta landmark prints “outsider art”, in her booth at the 2006 Inman Park Festival. Her or untrained black-and-white reproductions—called linocuts, a art, as he refers form of printmaking in which a drawing is transferred to it, is mostly to a linoleum block then carved out, rolled over with paintings on ink, and pressed onto paper to produce the original scraps of wood drawing with the black and and random white inversed—portray objects that historic, undoubtedly o t h e r w i s e unique Atlanta buildings p r o b a b l y from Highland’s Manuel’s would have Tavern to Avondale ended up in Estates to Marietta’s Big dumpsters. Chicken. Currently, “Most of these Dirga, who’s images have significance lived on Carroll Street (no, it’s actually not a one-way street) to me personally, some for 10 years seems to be capitalizing on his environment: sort of back-story or he’s working on a series of Cotton Mill paintings, molding memory behind them,” dead rodents, and taking over the next-door Carroll Street said Lynn of her work, a trade she knew she wanted Cafe, where he tends bar, for two upcoming shows. to do the first time she attempted a linocut. Though Walking down Dirga’s block is like a fresh breath of bizarre born in Anne Arbor, Mich., Lynn grew up in Lithonia yet homey, sarcasm-laden air. Dirga’s apartment is right and spent the majority of her time in the growing over his workshop; paintings and signs spill out from the city as a high schooler experimenting with art. windows and hang from the door frame (note: a yellow sign Lynn’s work appeals to those Atlantans who with a painted cabbage, in case anyone forgets they’re in connect with similar memories of her “subjects”: Cabbagetown) right next to the Art Graveyard, home to one Atlanta restaurants, hotels, barber shops, and other ancient tree and a stone wall where the unwanted art rests buildings that all seemingly possess some sort of in peace. Literally moving from one nearly-human personality—at least in her black and street corner to the other on Dirga’s white etched images. But beyond the still-standing block allows an open viewing of landmarks, Lynn’s work captures the very heart and Dirga’s garden artwork. Though soul of Atlanta’s development as a city. Several prints Cabbagetowners and other of current-day structures depict a simpler, earlier-day ATLiens alike are drawn to establishment, and Lynn even has several works of Dirga’s eclectic, folksy, colorful subjects that have been torn down or altered. A self- pieces, Dirga remains exclusive, proclaimed sentimental person, Lynn refers to the his paycheck coming mostly from linocut process as “recording her memories”, though the Cafe. Stop by in the near future in truth, Lynn records Atlanta’s historic, distinctly sometime though - he plans to start selling Southern evolution. postcards. -- Madeleine Webb -- Madeleine Webb

8 visualvi- ATL (T.I.) The Pink Panther (Steve Martin)

The fi rst viewing of trailers Last October, the star of for the movie ATL would lead MGM’s The Pink Panther, one to think of the movie as Steve Martin, received the a stereotypical “black” movie, illustrious Kennedy Center and the average moviegoer Mark Twain Award for will likely interpret the fi lm American humor. that way. The story focuses In reprising Peter Sellers’ on Rashad (Atlanta rapper most famous role, Martin T.I.), a senior in Mechanicsville illustrates why he deserved High who has no clue of life the award. Portraying the after graduation. Unlike the clueless Inspector Clouseau, typical “black” protagonist, Martin make his moments however, Rashad does not loses his virginity and begins on screen hilariously and of the earlier movies that resort to selling drugs and dabbling in the business of absurdly memorable. cannot truly claim to hold does not attempt to become drug dealing. The importance The rest of the fi lm is not a spot in the Pink Panther a rapper. Rashad’s life revolves of the skating rink gets lost in hilarious but is absurd. Only “canon.” Sure, it is almost his three best friends, his little the story and sometimes the lifetime members of the Pink worth going just to see brother, and their life-changing fl ow of the movie is choppy. Panther Fan Club will enjoy the cute animation of the experiences at Cascade Family Most critics would only give this 93 minutes of kitty litter. Panther and the Inspector Skating Rink. It is here that ATL a C, but then most movie While the images on the dancing to Henry Mancini’s Rashad meets his deceptive critics are not young, black, movie posters capture the snappy theme, but as for the girlfriend “New-New.” It is also and from the Southside of “da zaniness of the originals, the rest…Clouseau, but no cigar. here that his younger brother ATL.“ - Alexis Armand fi lm itself is a pale imitation -- Scott Chambliss releases Editors’ picks DVDs If You’re Looking For... Date Movie 5.30.06 Mental Enrichment...On the Road Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid 6.06.06 Jack Kerouac’s insights on counterculture from his 1950s acclaimed “beat” novel still ring Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang 6.13.06 true today. If you’re at all interested in road trips, Syriana 6.20.06 friendship or the culture of youth, this is a book Madea’s Family Reunion 6.27.06 you should pick up. Fun in the Sun...Screen on the Green A popular summer fi xture in Movies Atlanta is about to start up again, this time showing X-Men: The Last Stand 5.26.06 classics like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Willy Wonka’s The Karaoke King 5.30.06 Chocolate Factory. You The Omen 6.06.06 might already know the The Lake House 6.16.06 words: the fun part is yelling them at the screen. Click 6.23.06 The Blockbuster...Pirates of the Carib- bean: Dead Man’s Chest Video Games OK, it is a multi-million dollar Disney pro- duction, but who isn’t planning on seeing this Jaws Unleashed 5.24.06 highly anticipated sequel? The original Pirates stepped out of the mundane, overused family- Hitman: Blood Money 5.31.06 summer fi lm plot and included big names like Cars 6.06.06 Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley. The action Point Blank 6.14.06 and underwater graphics mesmerized viewers. I expect nothing less from the sequel. Backyard Sports Baseball 6.21.06 - Lena Brodsky 9 ‘what for god’s sake 7 do 8 you want us to do?’ A Self-Guided Walking Tour by Ramika Gourdine That’s what one eminent black atlantan asked white city leaders after (with thanks to georgia state the Atlanta Riot of 1906. As many as 50 black atlantans died. Nearly 100 history professsor Cliff Kuhn) years later, it is our duty to remember the riot and to learn its lessons.

FORSYTH STREET september 22, Special Collections Department, Pullen Library, Georgia State SOURCES The Atlanta Constitution 1906 The Atlanta Journal atlanta, georgia... Mark Bauerlein, Negrophobia David Godshalk, Veiled Visions By Lena Brodsky employment and where black men were Cliff Kuhn’s Coalition to Remember On this day, angry white men gathered downtown rising, both economically and socially. The the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot Walking Tour to throw bricks, break windows, assault and murder advent of black universities in Atlanta and Gregory Mixon, The Atlanta Riot innocent black passersby and trample through the new successful black-owned businesses 6 Michael Rose, Atlanta Then and Now streets in what would become the most violent race riot worried whites and made them feel a need Joel Williamson, The Crucible of Race in America until the Rodney King riot in 1992. to take action. The fact that women were What was the atmosphere like in Atlanta in this year, stepping out of their accepted “sphere” 2 in this month and on this day—besides the heat—that troubled their husbands and made the MARIETTA caused such an outpouring of violence? men search for ways to frighten their wives The anger had been building for months, slowly, in into staying inside their homes. The view one block west of five points in the minds of the white population. There were many The newspapers offered the best way 1890. The city’s economic growth fueled causes behind the anger that fomented the riot. for white men to control white women 5 much of the hate expressed by the riot. In 1906 Atlanta had two major newspapers: The and black men. The scare headlines Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution. Each and unbstantiated articles that the Journal and the disperse. They didn’t listen. Soon men were picking up STREET of the two candidates fi ghting for the Democratic Constitution printed not only incited fear in white stones and throwing them through store windows; nomination in the governor’s election controlled one women—giving them incentive to stay with in their men were barging in on businesses and on streetcars 1 of the newspapers. With both newspapers essentially homes and seek the protection of their husbands—but and assaulting black owners and patrons. Chaos serving as political pamphlets, journalism in Atlanta also caused a dramatic increase in the assaults and commenced. turned yellow. A major issue in the gubernatorial lynching of black males. The riot continued for the rest of the night and PEACHTREE STREET race was disfranchisement of blacks. For years since What was printed that was so powerful? Mostly lies the following day. In the days that followed, Reconstruction and the Fifteenth Amendment, Atlanta about incidents of black males attacking white females. more violence erupted in surrounding DECATUR STREET and the rest of the South had been searching for ways to The headlines, articles and political cartoons used neighborhoods where authorities START take the vote away from blacks. In 1906 one candidate for dehumanizing, vivid, racist language and images. clashed with black citizens armed governor, Hoke Smith and his paper, The Atlanta Journal, On the morning of the riot, Sept. 22, 1906, the KKK in self defense. An estimated 20 to YOUR WALKING supported disfranchisement, by means of a literacy test. posted a sign on Marietta Street, two blocks west of 50 black people were murdered, 3 The other candidate, Clark Howell and his paper The Five Points, that called whites to “action.” Both the along with the thousands of TOUR AT THE Atlanta Constitution, supported enfranchisement—not Constitution and the Journal published articles in their dollars in property damage. because Howell was progressive but because he thought regular editions that claimed blacks were poised to Journalism played a prime PAVILLION IN the Democratic Party’s white primary had effectively assault white women if they walked down the streets. role in the Atlanta riot of 1906. achieved disfranchisement. He even went so far as to Later that afternoon, special editions of The Atlanta The gubernatorial race, along WOODRUFF PARK argue that the proposed literacy test would have the Evening News and The Journal reported multiple with the issue of disfranchisement, Illustrated Map unforeseen consequence of motivating black interest in instances of black men assaulting white women. also led to the bloody events of Sept. 22 4 education, thus perverting the public school system. Around 5 p.m. whites began to gather on the streets and 23. Finally, the overwhelming sense of by Robinson Levin Another large cause of the building racism was fear. of Five Points, where many black-owned saloons and a loss of power and racism that white males felt and Sarah Beth McKay White males in Atlanta began to see a changing world businesses were located. At 9 p.m. Mayor Woodward at the beginning of the 20th century was the overarching where white women were looking outside the home for attempted to calm the angry mob and urged them to cause behind the riot. Rebecca Gittelson Five Points The heart of Atlanta, professional baseball was winding down Five Points embodied and business was doing as well as ever. the idealism of But on this fateful morning, just blocks 1 Atlanta’s spirit. At the away, on Marietta Street, a call to action center of the city, Atlanta was an area from the Ku Klux Klan written in pig’s where streetcars bustled along the wide blood was posted. As the day progressed, roads, black-owned businesses flourished, the ominous dread that had blanketed the exposing a city of both change and city for the past three weeks grew more resistance to change. During September ominous. By 6 p.m., as people left work, a 1906, however, it became a central meeting crowd assembled here. There was no park, place of those who could do nothing but as there is today; fashionable black and hate. Because its very existence illustrated white businesses shared space along some that blacks and whites could coexist in of the most popular streets in Atlanta. As a Atlanta, Five Points was an appropriate white mob met and mobilized throughout setting for the riot to erupt. the city, mere anxiety exploded into chaotic Sept. 22, 1906 seemed like a normal day. violence. Thus began the Atlanta race riot of The college football season was beginning, 1906.

A View of Five Points 2 from Woodruff Park Sarah Beth McKay The Herndon Barbershop Alonzo Herndon was one of the wealthiest insisted that once the mob smashed the black men in Atlanta. He owned three Peachtree window of Herndon’s shop, it shot barbershops within the city. Reports of the four barbers and kicked a boot black to death. riot’s effect on the largest shop, located at Herndon was among those that threatened 66 Peachtree Street, conflict even today. the white elite. He was a black millionaire, Herndon maintained that, according to his and made much of his money from those very ledger, all employees were back at work after white men who needed so badly to destroy his Sarah Beth McKay the riot, although he saw a distinct decrease kind. Due to this fact, many believe that the At the time of the riot, Herndon’s barber- in revenue. The Atlanta Independent, however, latter story is more likely to be true. shop was located at 66 Peachtree St.

Decatur St. A century ago Decatur Street was Atlanta’s 3 own Las Vegas strip. It overflowed with pool halls, movie theatres and saloons. It was another place of racial mingling, but this integration wasn’t quite as wholesome. Here much of the prohibition propaganda that helped spark the riot was spread. According to the Constitution, the “first disorder” of the riot was at the corner of Decatur and Pryor Streets. There a group of white teenagers assaulted a black bike messenger. He was rescued by police. In the midst of the riot, Mayor Woodward tried to disperse the mob with the help of the fire department. He opened the alarm box at the corner of Decatur and Ivy and sounded the general alarm. To continue his attempt and protect black victims, Woodward ordered fire hoses to be used against white rioters. Instead, Mayor-elect, fire Chief W. R. Joyner had the hoses Sarah Beth McKay used on blacks who screamed their regret at electing him in the first place. The effort failed. The crowd simply spread north and south along Decatur Street boasted saloons, pool halls and movie Peachtree and along Edgewood. theaters patronized by both blacks and whites. Kimball House Hotel The Kimbell The Kimball House Hotel was House Hotel located further down Decatur as represented Street, between Pryor Street on a 1909 postcard. and Kimball Way. Within the lobby of the hotel building was 4 Henry A. Rucker’s barbershop. Because shops were such a signal of economic independence and expression without fear of persecution, they became a target for violence. Rocks were thrown Sarah Beth McKay through the windows in order to enable the mob The Former site of the Kimball House access to bootblacks. A man was shot and killed Hotel from Decatur Street. after being discovered inside. Forsyth Street Bridge Rebecca Gittelson Glance from the modern bridge to the railroad tracks below. The 10-foot drop is similar to the 5 one from the 1906 bridge. During the course of Saturday night’s riot, three black men were pulled off a streetcar through broken windows, beaten, tossed off the bridge and shot. Frank Smith, a light-skinned barber at Cooper’s on Broad Street, was dragged from a streetcar at about 11 p.m. and chased to the bridge. There, an angry group of white rioters—led by butcher Walter Edmunds using the tools of his trade—sliced open his chest and threw him onto the tracks.

Sarah Beth McKay

A View of Broad Street, the location of Cooper’s A coal freight train passes below the Forsyth Street Barbershop, Bridge. The Georgia Dome and the Georgia Aquarium from Luckie are visible the distance. Street. illustration by Stone Irvin Henry W. Grady Memorial Looming over Marietta the foot of the Grady memorial—the Old South Street, the statue of Henry trumping the New. Nearby a Greek vegetable Grady personifi es of the vendor, who was rumored to have harbored New South. He advocated blacks during the riot, was attacked, his shop 6 modernizing the Southern destroyed. Another Greek was mistaken for a economy in order to create a prosperous Atlanta. Rioters, black man. When the mob discovered the however, made sure to express what they thought of the truth they hurled bananas at him. erosion of race and gender barriers accelerated by the new The post offi ce, which sat where economy. In their eyes, blacks had gotten too uppity; white the current one is now (on the corner), Sarah Beth McKay women, too independent. To show their dissatisfaction a harbored blacks Saturday night. The There was a black-owned mob raided a Marietta Street barber shop killing Henry combination of black employment and barbershop on Marietta Welsh (a bootblack), a barber and a third victim. After that sanctuary from the riot made the post Street, between peachtree they dragged all three of the bodies and dumped them at offi ce a mob target. Street and Broad Street.

Luckie Street 7 Look over to where the Westin is. That was the location SBM of the governor’s mansion. Despite the close proximity of the mansion to Five Point (less than one third of a mile), lame duck Gov. Joseph Terrell claimed he heard none of the ruckus of the riot. Most think he was lying about his knowledge of the chaos, but we’ll never know for sure. We do know, however, that he didn’t call in the state militia until well after midnight. The law enforcement along Luckie Street had mixed reactions Sarah Beth McKay to the riot. Some, like John Carson, a rookie police offi cer, who Above, the rescued a black man being chased by a crowd, helped disperse the post office rioters. Some looked away and did nothing. Still others, however, that harbored joined in, attacking blacks or winked in approval. black victims during the illustration by Dalton Mayes riot. At right, the Equitable building from Luckie Street, the former site of the Piedmont Hotel. Rebecca Gittelson Piedmont Hotel Owned by Hoke Smith, the Piedmont Hotel 8 witnessed several events during the course of the riot. It is here where Mayor James Woodward condemned the Atlanta newspapers for circulating the sensationalist material that infuriated the crowd and caused the riot. He also urged the general public to think about what their actions were doing to Atlanta’s reputation. This hotel was the spot where a march of 100 white men to Decatur Street was announced. It is where tailor Tom Weaver’s plate glass shop window was smashed as a man was chased through it. And right down the street is where two mobs, 1,000 men altogether, combined and fought street car riders, pulling them from the cars and beating them to death in the streets. Offi cer Carson’s intervention helped one potential victim—a black man—to escape this mob. af ter the riot ATLANTA is a city of reinvention...

By Sarah Beth McKay enforcement of After anything bad happens, anything that taints the laws of the the city’s closely groomed image, the city sheds its land.” The riot skin, pushes the past underneath the rug and moves even merited on, praying the rest of the world does the same. After international the Civil War, Atlantans claimed to rise from the ashes attention: the of Sherman’s fires like a phoenix, “with renewed youth violence was to live through another cycle.” Fueled by Henry Grady’s likened to the “New South” ideology, the city embraced its gradual pogroms against industrialization and basked under the image as “The Russian Jews. Gate City” and “The Chicago of The South.” During the The immediate A 1909 postcard of a peaceful Peachtree Street. Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Atlanta was the outcry, however, self-proclaimed “city too busy to hate” even though made no lasting impression and led to little permanent demonstrated by the riot inspired some of the most the headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan was only miles change. Acting out of fear of losing a racially progressive influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century into away. And now, after Olympic bombs, scandal, debt and reputation and the investment of northern companies, action. The Niagara Movement and the NAACP may be corruption, “every day is an opening day” in Atlanta. leaders from both the white and black communities seen as direct consequences of the riot. The city’s reaction to the 1906 Race Riot was no quickly came together. Booker T. Washington favored Despite this impact, the 1906 riot has remained different. Initially, the local black community assigned these peace talks: “I would strongly urge that the widely forgotten; it’s importance locally and nationally, blame on white violence and indifference. All around the best white people and the best colored people come drastically minimized. The Atlanta Journal Constitution world, newspapers published stories expressing surprise together in council and use their united efforts to stop has run only two articles addressing the riot in the past and disgust for the excess, unnecessary the present disorder.” Washington met with 10 years, and they have never admitted to playing a part violence. From the Chicago Tribune: black minister Henry Hugh Proctor in causing it. The riots have also remained inexplicably “No excuse can be offered for and white Yankee journalist Ray absent from school curriculums—Enduring Visions, this mob outbreak, which has Stannard Baker to persuade the Grady’s AP United States History class textbook, added had no other result than “ATLANTA IS A nation that Atlanta’s response one sentence about the riots only in its most recent the slaughter of innocent to the riot proved it was a edition. (The riot is included in the eighth-grade negroes.” Even southern PLACE WHERE ITS racially progressive city. Georgia Performance Standards, which will be adopted cities, like Knoxville, Three days later, the Journal in the 2007-2008 school year.) recognized the necessity HISTORY IS TEARING insisted that “When Atlanta Additionally, “Atlanta is a place where its history is of a solution to the race awoke Wednesday morning, tearing down its history,” said Cliff Kuhn, an associate problem: “The incidents DOWN ITS HISTORY” every sign and echo of professor of history at Georgia State University and the only emphasize the the disturbances were... all Chair of the Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta danger of the race situation Cliff Kuhn matters of memory.” Race Riot. This coalition, formed by Southern Truth and and portend similar riots, if The local repercussions of the Reconciliation: The Road to Justice for Human Rights conditions do not change, in other riot, however, were far less escapable. Violations and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site, southern cities.” In a letter to a New York The violence caused racial stratification is devoted to raising public awareness of the riot and magazine, African-American leader W. E. B. Du Bois of downtown—black businesses on Auburn using it as an example to inspire change. The coalition blamed the newspaper’s lies and politicians’ outright Avenue and white businesses on Peachtree Street— sponsors guided walking tours on the second Sunday racism for causing the riot and expressed his opinion and frightened thousands of African Americans into of each month, and are planning a symposium in late about how to change these conditions: “an impartial fleeing the city. Furthermore, the outrageous racism September to celebrate the centennial of the riot. ucURBANCOUTURE Rostrum Racial strain must be revealed Self-segregation unveils that racism isn’t just a thing of the past BY RUSSELL OWENS s a writer and a promoter of In the seconds after, I wondered if all of my white A interracial relations, I have friends at Grady really looked at me the same way that Gary did. I thought about all of the females been disgusted at the level I’d been with, and that I couldn’t get with, and of latent racism in schools. how they may have looked at me. I thought about all of the lies I may have been told, Segregation occurs often all the secrets that were kept from me and unintentionally, but is obvious every devilish façade that loomed in my throughout the typical day. I would like to surroundings. I also thought about my future, open eyes to facts and enlighten the Grady and how knocking the bigot out of Gary might population to what I see: affect my currently smooth ride into Florida State • Notice how during lunch the majority of the African- University. Americans are either in the cafeteria or on the bricks while the “Yeah,” I said. “I know what you mean.” Moral: the majority of Caucasians are on the grass in the courtyard. truth comes out when you’re drunk. • Notice how there were no black staff members or members of My two friends in the truck apologized secretly, any other ethnicity in the previous issue of this magazine. for something that was clearly not their fault. There • Notice how the magnet program is racially imbalanced, and how was no need to apologize. They couldn’t take the being in the magnet basically alienates most blacks in the magnet blame for one man’s twisted opinions, neither can from those not in the magnet. they be blamed for shiploads of Africans being • Notice how black males in the magnet receive little interest from permanently and forcefully removed from their black females not in the magnet. homeland 350 years ago. • Notice how black males in general are frowned upon by both black Why is it that the same tension that existed women and white men when they date white women. between blacks and whites all those years ago Basically, in the year 2006, racism is still alive, and alive in the hearts still exists now? We are still caged by of the youth, not so much the adults. Most times, it’s covert, but that glass ceiling that, though there are many instances where racism is apparent. If I say I thought most of us can’t see, still something about it, however, I will be considered a racist, or a about of all of the knocks us down whenever radical revolutionary. lies I may have been we are rising. But hear this: in my life, I’ve dated a little over 20 women. In my city, people are Only two of those women were black. So I am not the least told, all the secrets that people. No, not Atlanta, bit racist. I just comment on what I see in the world. I would were kept from me and Georgia. I mean St. be a fool to pretend that it is not on my doorstep, to pretend every devilish façade Augustine, Florida. No that I am not a victim of racist actions on a normal basis. that loomed in my one is looked at differently During spring break, I met a 32-year-old guy named Gary in surroundings. because he or she is involved Daytona who was very cool and personable. He had a room in in an interracial relationship. the hotel where I was staying. We decided to take a ride on the strip As a matter of fact, there are with two other teens I had met. I was the only black in the vehicle, but I more interracial couples than same- didn’t pay attention to that at first. race couples. Gary had a few drinks. Well, he had a lot of drinks. He was shouting I also met a woman in Daytona. I was returning vulgar expressions out the window to women twice his age and half his to my room, walking by the pool in the process. age; to single women and married women; black women, white women She was standing by the edge, between a room’s and Latino women. He called a woman a bitch when he asked for a patio and the pool. The funny thing is, I hadn’t lighter and she didn’t have one. Right then, I hated Gary. really noticed her. Some other guys were trying But what he said to me next did not merit more hate for him. It made to talk to her, or get her attention, but she didn’t me lose all respect for him. And having no respect for someone does seem to pay them any mind. I was walking by her more damage to them than hating someone could ever do. to enter the hotel and she stopped me by slightly He told me that he hated two kinds of people on this earth: white touching my arm. trash and niggers. He must have seen the expression on my face She was beautiful. Never had I seen anyone like change, along with the reactions of my other friends in the car because her before, and her being garmented in white he then proceeded to tell me that I was “above all the niggers who were her before and her gypsy-like clothing added a illiterate and poor and were good for nothing but work.” heavenly glow to her already gleaming aura. 18 [NEXUS]May-June 2006 Rostrum She introduced herself to me and I is everything in the world subjective? My name is Russell to her. She complimented me on my Why is it that someone thinks that they Tre’Mayne Owens. I was appearance and physique as I did hers. know me by the color of my skin, my birthed from the womb of We exchanged room numbers (which is style of dress, my dialect, my music? Tonetta LaNiece Owens and Jerome what you do at a hotel) and I informed Can I return the favor? Can I be Alexander Glass. I was born in St. her of a little get together that I would politically incorrect? Can I call a white Augustine, Fla., on Nov. 24, 1987. be having in my room. person a hillbilly rapist? Can I be I moved to Atlanta when I was 8 What I didn’t know at the time was frightened every time I step foot on years old. I’ll be attending Florida that her mother was full-blooded an airplane and see a man beside me State University in the fall of 2006, Puerto Rican and that her father was wearing a turban? And then have the intending to double-major in from Italy. She didn’t tell me that until right to call him Osama? Can I choose psychology and drama. I am a rapper. after I’d gotten to know her. to be ignorant enough to not eat I enjoy classical music as well, and If I can show interest in a girl without french fries because I think they’re from when I retire, I would like to live in caring about what race she is, why France? Can I be intelligent enough Ponce, Puerto Rico. can’t everyone else be just as open? to know that I am a powerful black When I die, I would like a memorial Why can’t people of all races receive man,and that the world may be afraid in my name in front of Saint the same opportunity and attention of me for that reason? The truth is, I can Augustine cemetery, and I want my from schoolteachers, government do none of these things, because they ashes spread across the nation’s officials, and from restaurant, hotel are politically incorrect. But you don’t oldest city. and shopping-center workers? Why know me. And I’m black. Images of pride, power influence societal violence BY TAYLOR KELLEY

n the last few weeks, students at hateful words are so meaningless that the aggressor’s I pride isn’t affected at all, the person simply feels Grady have experienced and read obligated to fight. There are two possible outcomes. The derision could be false, and the accused can simply about a lot of violence. At least three accept that the other person has a misunderstanding or is compensating for a personal fault. Or the insult is fights occurred in a single day, one of which true, and one should only feel humility and perhaps be caused injury and bloodshed, as well as tension and anger ashamed. Fighting due to hurt feelings is cowardice. across the campus. Then there was the story Alanta rapper In the fights that occurred at Grady, the exact causes T.I. His best friend and personal assistant, Philant Johnson, are not necessarily understood. Many suspect some was shot and killed in Cincinnati. Two fatal killings challenge or racial slur, either of which can have occurred in the last two weeks outside be ignored as insignificant or simply the Atlanta nightclubs. The violence is disturbing manifestation or another’s pointless of course, but is in no way an aberration hatred. from the norm. In Cincinnati, Philant Johnson was shot This makes something abundantly clear: because one of TI’s fellow performers, there is something wrong with our society. If Yung Joc, had friends threw money into history and logic provide any evidence into the crowd. To the less aggressive and what exactly is the problem, all signs point to masculine-obsessed viewer, this would the inflated masculine image propagated by seem some kind of gift, rather than a show our culture. of disrespect. Does it matter if someone who Of course, no problem can be simplified into a you have never met thinks you don’t have money single cause. But if this image of pride and power were (though logic would say that they were simply flaunting to change into one of empathy and acceptance, I am their money, and certainly not disrespecting anyone)? sure that the violence would decline. Machismo has This breach of pride led to the death of an almost always been an important part of many other cultures unrelated witness. in promoting loyalty and bravery. These seemingly good Perhaps instead of getting angry, an offended person qualities, though, are spoiled if mixed with pride and could consider that everyone is flawed, selfish and very aggressiveness. similar. You might save someone’s life, or maybe just How many fights have you witnessed that were caused support a new culture in favor of compassion and love. by an insult or some other show of disrespect? Often the Can you find something vile in that?

19 Menagerie

RAMER’S C eBay Items of Physics is one of the most exciting subjects to the Month teach because there are many classic demonstrations a teacher can conduct to keep students interested. Does learning about Jesus at church One of the best is the bed of nails. To prepare for this bore you? Well now there’s an O demonstration, the teacher drills several hundred answer! Introducing the new Action holes in a large piece of plywood. Nails are then Figure Jesus. Fight off Satan and teach good to all in a cool new way. driven into the holes so that the sharp ends stick He stands at a majestic five inches upward. I once borrowed one from a friend of mine and has moveable arms. This is the R so that I could demonstrate its use during a live new era in Biblical action figures. television broadcast. Being careful to make contact Price: $5.89 Points with the man upstairs: 17 with my whole back at one time, I lowered myself onto the nails. Fortunately, the laws of physics N worked in my favor, and I was able to look into the Is your SUV not big enough for you? camera and truthfully say that it didn’t hurt at all. Well, try out the newly restored Pressure causes the nails to penetrate a piece DUKW! The DUKW is an amphibi- ous, two-and-a-half ton vehicle that E of wood, or a person’s back. Since force causes was manufactured and used during pressure over a specific area, we can make the area WW2. This model was made in 1945 large enough and the force will be spread out and and was recently restored in Boston. the pressure will seem quite small. Placing the nails It was crucial in the transportation of troops and supplies during the R very close together allows each point to support war and now primarily serves as a a small amount of force with none penetrating. tourist attraction in several major In class we like to compare the cities, including Boston. pressure of an elephant’s foot with Price: $65,999.99 that of a small woman wearing high heels. Calculations easily show that the elephant exerts much less pressure than Senior Words the woman’s heel, if each were to step on your foot. of Wisdom Last month I had a chance to experience this principle in a much more Have fun, but don’t lose poignant manner. While riding a bicycle I hit a pothole and was catapulted over my handlebars, your focus in the classroom. landing on my head in the street. My helmet broke, but Jeffrey Thomas aside from a concussion, I suffered no damage to my skull or brain. A bicycle helmet is designed to spread the impact over as wide an area as possible, just like It takes a lot to make a little, the elephant’s foot and the bed of nails. The Styrofoam but it takes a little to inspire a lot. breaks so that the head can decelerate over a longer Zach Johnson period of time, much as an air bag in a car protects you in a collision. I have been riding bicycles for 50 years and wearing a In the midst of darkness, in order helmet since they were invented about 30 years ago. I to find light you must seek it. had never fallen on my head before and did not expect Kristina Weems that I ever would. When I did fall, however, the helmet saved me from a very serious injury, perhaps even death. Please wear your helmet on a bike, and use your Enjoy every moment because it seat belts in a car. We don’t plan for accidents, but we will be gone before you know it. can be prepared. The laws of physics always win! -Jeff Cramer Kyla Rentch

20 [NEXUS] May-June 2006 Menagerie June SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT

1 2 Opening night of Rent to be Piedmont Park performed at the Fox Theatre. Screen on the Green: A Hard Day’s Night.

4 5 6 7 8 10 Nine Inch The Wiz, at Nails at the Piedmont Park HiFi Buys during Screen Amphitheatre. on the Green.

11 12 14 15 17

Shakespeare Ferris Bueller’s Festival begins Day Off at at Oglethorpe. Screen on the Green.

18 19 20 21 22 23 Dev2.0 performs at Opening night Screen on the Chastain Park for Chicago Green presents Atlanta Pride Amphitheatre at the Fox Breakfast at Theatre. Tiffany’s. Festival

25 26 27 28 29 30 Screen on the Green presents Willy Wonka and the Chocolate HiFi Buys Factory. Amphitheatre

Photo by Carson Hale 21 William VanDerkloot’s guitar and drumset resting before the Grady Fashion Show.