WWW.MAROONTTGER.ORG Vol. LXXX, Issue 05 THE MAROON TIGER Morehouse Coli.ege.Ai lanta, GA Wednesday.October 5, 2005 The Organ oe Student Expression Since 1925 “Transitioning” the AUC Shana Pinnock the black church is demonstrated, as well as the disregard that many youths The room lights dim as two lines of feel is directed toward them by the young men and women make their way elders because of their adolescence. through the aisles. The ground seems “We hoped that the elders in the audi­ to come alive as it quivers and shakes ence did not feel that we were trying X from the stamping feet of the perform­ to poke fun at the church through the rrr ers. As the live guitarist, keyboardist, z ‘Worship is 4 Real’ scene,” says co-di­ drummer and saxophone player stroke « rector Kashara Robinson, “...We were out an infectious, pulsating rhythm, a X trying to express how interesting it is booming voice informs the audience that the black church is so universal. that, “...We have been called for such It is so deeply rooted within our cul­ a time as this, not to entertain, but to ture. We were trying to bring forth that minister.” This was the opening scene there is a challenge now, not out of to the AUC Drama Ministry’s “Transi­ disrespect, but because the youths are tions: a Probate Experience like Never trying to find their place in the black Before.” 33 church. Too often do they feel shunned As the AUC Ministry’s first official and uncomfortable in the church be­ show of the school year, Transitions, cause the elders are telling them that which took place Oct. 2 in Morehouse they cannot praise the way they want College’s Sale Hall, proved to be “awe­ to.” The goal appeared to have been some to see so many young people reached, because audience member, working on one accord,” exclaims au­ Darrid Graham, whose granddaughter dience member, Carlotta Griggs. The is a member of the AUC, states, “I just play, which included a variety of skits love to see young people praise God in from past productions, was comprised any way they see fit. I am so happy to of students of Clark-Atlanta Universi­ see the outpouring and the spirit vibe of ty, Spelman College, Morehouse Col­ the young people.. .All that can be said lege, Morehouse 1TC, and Morehouse is that it is just beautiful.” School of Medicine. Transitions incor­ At the conclusion of the perfor­ porated all aspects of the arts. Through ITC and Morehouse School of Medi­ as this one, took place within the AUC. that it is time for them to do God’s mances, Rainey asked audience mem­ song, dance, spoken word, and theater, cine, also explained that, “the AUC Co-director, Brandon Rainey, best vin­ work...[Transitions] is a way to reach bers to come to the stage if they desired the production “was touching and truly Ministry is a blessing to my life and I dicates this by saying, “our main mis- the students within the AUC that do not to grow on a deeper level with their inspirational,” says Clark-Atlanta Uni­ attend church, for what ever reason. If Creator. Instantaneously, several audi­ versity freshman, Chawneé Hunt. a they do not attend church or bible ence members, both men and women, Throughout the entire production, study, we are hoping that they will feel came forth, knelt before the stage, and audience members often interacted compelled to attend a production that prayed. Almost immediately, members with the performers through song, It is so wonderful to see young is not ‘old school,’ but something that of the audience, cast, and crew greet­ laughter, and even tears. During vari­ is of more relevance to their lives. This ed one another with warm embraces. ous moments, audience members were black kids coming together like this is why the play includes stories about Tears were not in short supply, as ev­ so moved by the content of the perfor­ rape, murder, and relationships, among eryone in the area, even on the bal­ mances that they stood up and swayed because we do not see it as often as we other topics.” cony, seemed to pray and smile, all in to the music or shouted praises as if they Spelman College freshman, Des­ the same moment, as a powerful aura were in church. “Transitions touched should.. .1 have never witnessed some­ tinee Moore, noted, “It is so wonder­ moved throughout the room. All of this almost every aspect of my life," ex­ ful to see young black kids coming seemed to sustain Robinson’s aspira­ plains Clive E. Aden III, a performer thing like that in my life. together like this because we do not tion that, “If we [AUC Ministry] do and freshman of Morehouse College. see it as often as we should...What is nothing else, we hope that people see He continued to say, “That is why so - Destinee Moore, Freshman Class even more inspiring is to see the great God through us.” many young people, I think, can relate amount of young black men that were The next show, Miscellaneous to the play.. .Its relevance made it much in the production...! have never wit­ Characters, marks the three-year anni­ easier for me to go forth and perform to am so honored to be a part of this group sion is to remind people who they are. nessed something like that in my life.” versary of the AUC Ministry’s creation, the best of my ability.” Walter R. Higgs of talented young people.” They are to know that they are chosen During one scene, entitled “Wor­ and will take place Nov. 19-20. III, a performer and recent graduate of Many wonder why an event, such men and women of God, and to know ship is 4 Real,” the traditional form of Hazardous Classrooms at CAU Black Bi White Girl Put Students In Harm’s Way Interracial Belationships Remain Taboo white women. Snipes was once quoted Courtney Salmon & resumed in the building, though the to the fact that the generator, which is as saying “black females do not know Autumn Arnett HaRREAM PlRDIE________________ conditions students met upon their re­ located on Fair Street right next to the how to treat black males and white A number of Clark Atlanta math turn were unacceptable. building, is fueled by diesel oil. Clark In 1967, Sidney Portier starred females are just easier to get along and science students have been dis­ Students returned to classes to Atlanta’s Facilities Director, Edwin in the groundbreaking “Guess Who’s with.” placed from their regular labs and discover that the rooms were incredibly Taylor, checked the building for toxins, Coming To Dinner.” In the contro­ Donnie Taylor, a senior business fi­ classrooms for almost a month, due to hot and humid and were infiltrated with and determined that there was no threat versial film, Poiter comes home to the nance major from New York City, said, environmental concerns in the univer­ an unpleasant odor. There has been to students’ health, but was unavailable family of his White fiancé to deliver “I just think that white woman are more sity’s McPheeters-Den- for comment. the news that they are engaged. At the submissive and they don’t give you all nis Hall. a A report time, thefilm shocked America because that attitude. When you approach them Wednesday, Au­ published by the Cali­ interracial marriage was considered il­ they are not so full of themselves and gust 31 the power in the I think that all of the classes fornia Air and Re­ legal. However, the award winning they are more open minded. They are building was cut ofifby of­ sources Board and the film brought the issue of interracial not so worried about what you have.” ficials at Georgia Power, should be moved permanently Office of Environmen­ relationships to the forefront with the In the November 1997 issue of the area’s primary power tal Health Hazard As­ possibility that a black man and a white Ebony Magazine, Snipes talks about supplier when there was instead of having students wander sessment confirms that woman could love one another. why he chooses to date white women. a major breakage to the these concerns regard­ Today, interracial relationships re­ Snipes said, “A man doesn’t want to underground wiring to from building to building until ( ing the possibility that main a taboo issue, despite its reoccur­ come home to someone who’s going to the main power line. diesel fuel exhaust is a rences in our society. be mean and aggravating and unkind. Classes were suspended they completely fix the problem. toxic air contaminant Many black women have con­ He doesn’t want to come home to that. while university admin­ are valid discrepancies, tempt for black males who date white He doesn’t want to come home to have istrators met to determine but there has been no women instead of black women. And a fight with someone who is supposed the course of action that Alexandra Conway, Freshman Class confirmation to the fact in response, black males are charged as to be his helpmate. So it’s very natural would ensue. A back-up that these toxins exist in disloyal and many black women feel that he’s going to turn to some place power generator was secured despite speculation that the odor and tempera­ any building on the campus of Clark abandoned and betrayed. This is espe­ that’s more compassionate.” the difficulties faced because of Hur­ ture in the building were the result of Atlanta University.