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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in Columbia Chronicle by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. THE CHQON 0 f COLUM5 COLLEGE c li C A C 0 May 13, 1996 Student highlights 'other' leaders By Leon Tripplett project throug h the Film Wright feels that the stories tor and Columbia instructor. Stuff Writer Department. of familiar African-Americans. "This is a medium built on pic "I've talked with educators such as Dr. Martin Luther King tures and images. People want It all started a year ago, at the high school level and Jr., have overshadowed the sig- to sec to believe, and thi s is when a guest speaker came to a they said it would be an excel nificant roles of other what Sam is doing." Columbia Film Tech I class. lent teaching tool," Wright African-American leaders. Wrig ht compiled research What this speaker brought said. Some have been forgotten on the targeted subjects, then touched junior and film major "America's Greatest," completely. Wright feels his produced a videotape promot Sam Wright personally: It was which Wright plans to have mission is to bring them back ing the documentary to raise a documentary delving into the fi nancing. evolution and eventual demise To sell the project, Wright of culture and language. enlisted the help of some of The film almost brought Columbia administrators. For tears to Wright's eyes - example, Freshman Seminar not because he was dis Director Dr. Glenn G raham, traught at the story it told, but who majored in history in col because he was spellbound by lege, spoke about the historic the imagery. He thought the 60- viewpoint of why a documen minute film was a perfect con tary was needed. duit for teaching and enlighten In addition, Columbia ing. President John Duff, au thor of "I looked at it and it moved "The Nat Turner Rebellion" me," said Wright. "I love histo distributed on videotape, will to remembrance. and other historical works, ry and facts and that is exactly include an in-depth look at "I put together a survey of talked about the importance of what that documentary was prominent African-Americans 30 to 40 African-Americans, preserving African-American about." such as Paul Robeson, Nat and on the survey I asked, history. The film did more than Turner, Ida B. Wells, Benjamin 'Who do you think made the "Duff was very excited move Wright. It inspired him to Banneker, Mary McLeod greatest impact on America?" about the documentary," said produce hi s own filmed work, Bethune, Ralph Bunche and he said. "I chose the least Wright. "' He 's written about which he hopes will tum out to Charles Drew. picked [people] ... and decid our history, as well as Irish hi s be a 60-minute tribute to the Wright detailed his vision of ed to do a biography on those tory, so he was very capa bl e of achievements of creating not one, but a series of whom no one knew about." lending his voice and expertise. African-Americans. documentaries about the strug "What I like about Sam's Pitts, whom Wright credits Wright will begin filming gles and accomplishments of project is he's talking about with providing a source of wis the documentary, to be called great African-Americans people we don't know anything dom and guidance to his fil m "America's Greatest, Volume especially those whose lives about," said Ron Pitts, a long career, talked about how a 1," in June as an independent have become obscured. time Chicago black film direc- See Wright, page 2 Outweek is definitely in
By Christine Lock Stuff Writer
If you were in the Hokin Hall or the Hokin Cafe from April 28 through May 3, you couldn' t have missed it. It was so ... out there. That was the point. The series of events called "Out week" was Lambda Force's way "rai sing gay awareness on campus," according to Jim Dimetriou, the group's co-president. It was a chance to express who you are, watch events from afar, or participate in the many events brought to Columbia by Lambda Force, Columbia's most active, and largest student group on cam pus. "Outweek was a fabulous event from start to finish," said Veronica Drake, the faculty liaison for Lambda Force. Most of the events were held in the Hokin Cafe "to attract more people, and to let them see events that they wouldn't have checked out before," said Dimetriou, a senior and illustration major. The week began with a "study break" in the Residence Hall o n April 28. Students ate popcorn and cookies while watching the movie "Jeffrey," a comedy about dating and romance in the age of AIDS. Monday's events included a visit from Mary Morton, co-host of LesbiGay radio, AM 750. On Tuesday, the school played host to a speaker from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians), a community group that tries to "create a climate of support and nurturing." The turnouts for Monday's and Tuesday's events were not as high as some of the other events. "I was able to li ve up to what I promised the students, but sadly it was weakly attended," said Jackson. Drake feels that the low attendance Photo by Jeanne Larsen See Outweek, page 2 Dressed in a stunning two-piece evening gown, a student strutts her stuff at the Hokin. 2 NEWS May 13, 1996 Student aid protected COLUMBIA IN BRIEF THE CHQONICLI By Charles Dervarics on the direct lending program, in which On Thursday May 9, many faculty mem Journalism Department College Press Service the government pro~ide s loan capital bers thought Columbia was making an effort 623 S. Wabash Ave., Suite directly to schools wtthout partlctpatlon to keep the doctor away. That's because 802 After seven months of stalemate, by banks. . .. apples were delivered to Columbia's academ Chicago, Illinois 60605 Congress and the White House agreed in Republican leaders 1n Congress ongt· ic departments. In reality, the apples symbol 312-663-1600 ext. 5432 late Apri I to a 1996 education budget with nally talked of eliminating this program ized the kick-off of Columbia's Teaching, 312-663-1600 ext. 5343 a hi gher maximum Pell Grant and few or capping its growth at 40 percent of Learning and Technology Roundtable. FAX 312-427-3920 cutbacks among other major programs. overall student loan volume nationally. The Roundtable consists of part-time and e-mail: The agreement provides a maximum "We' re hoping a cap never comes full-time faculty, staff and administra!ors Pell Grant of $2,470, an increase of $130 back," said McClintock, who asserts that Chronicle@ who are volunteering their time and effort in from the previous year and the largest students gain from competition bet":een order to answer technology-related questions mail.colum.edu grant to date in the program. "It's the first the direct loan program and the tradttlon such as: what is the role of technology in Web page: time we've seen a commitment to raising al loan program administered through teaching/learning and how the college can http://www.colum.edu/ the maximum level for students," said banks. best use technology to meets its goals. -chronclelindex.html Laura McClintock, legislative director for "Competition has raised the leve l of So far the Roundtable group has devel the United States Student Association service to students," she said. oped a model for initial use at Columbia, gen Editor-in-Chief (USSA). Republican leaders also backed away eral and first-year goals and interest groups to Nancy Laichas Nonetheless, Congress increased the from an earlier goal of eliminating the address and implement their goals. Next year, maximum largely through an existing sur AmeriCorps national service program. students will be admitted into the group to Managing Editor plus in the program rather than by provid The final budget agreement provides help recommend and address the technology John Biederman ing more actual 1996 dollars for grants, $402 million for the Corporation for needs of the college. she noted. We're still pleased," she said. National Service, which administers The introduction to the Roundtable will be News Editor The agreement between the White AmeriCorps. Nonetheless, this amount is on May 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. in room 401,600 Ho use and Capitol Hill also sets no cap down $ 170 million from last year. S. Michigan. Bob Chiarito
Features Editor Cristin Monti
Entertainment Editor Ryan Healy
Photography Editor Natalie Battaglia
Copy Editors Kim Watkins Pictured at left: Hau Kum Yasmin Khan Leung performs a Tai Chi fan David Harre ll dance before a class of Columbia College students in Advertising Manager Grant Park. Sandra K.Taylor Leung demonstrates tech Staff Writers niques that will be taught in a Aliage Taqi new, three-credit Advanced Tai Chi class to be offered to Sandra K. Taylor Columbia College students in Leon Tripplett the fall. Lisa Manna Jackie Gonzalez Christine Lock Photo by JoAnne Machado. Staff Photographer Laura Stoecker
Web Page Editor Mark Dascoli
Faculty Advisor Jim Sulski
The Chronicle is a student run newspaper of Columbia Lerone Bennett Jr., noted his College. It is published Wright, from page 1 Outweek, from page 1 Thursday night. weekly during the school year torian and author of the cele "They' re the funniest and distributed on Mondays. brated book "Before the guys," said Drake. documentary would ponray Mayflower." Other sources for Views expressed in this news was due to the events being The grand finale, the fash positive images. the documentary will include ion show "I AM," was also a paper are not necessarily held in the Hokin Hall as "If we talk about love, scholars such as Columbia's opposed to the Holtin Cafe. huge success. those of the Jo urnalism togetherness, and family, you Pitts, Duff and Graham. But Wednesday's open mic "The best part of the whole Department or the college. don't see film s like that," In addition to filming in events went well. Dimitriou week was the fashion show," argued Pitts. "Most filmmak Chicago, Wright plans to take said, "A lot of members from said Drake. Paul Anthony was ers staning out make movies his crew to Aorida and New Lambda Force participated, the sole producer of the show dealing with guns and sex. York. and a lot of their friends also which had student designs as To give the documentary a How docs Wright plan to joined in with readings, songs well as store designers. national appeal so that it can be finance the project, which has and music." When asked how Outweek used as a teaching device in been budgeted at almost Thursday brought went as a whole, Lambda high schools, Wright hopes to SIO, ..... ,.~ ..... ~in Mu~io Jc'{9~ '.:> '.:> ~ F'REE CCNCE at z ~ CITIZEN KINII ~ Saturday * rJ:J MAY TAEfl" gODT I AND TMI"'faAVI* &.IN QAUVAN Mu••a 7:aa 2 TICKETS PER COLUMBIA 1.0. AVALIABLE FROM 4·6PM AT SKYLINE BOX OFFICE Sponiancl by Hoiia Ceoter, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED Columbia CoUep 623 S. WabMh ChictF IL. INF'O 312.663.1600 EX.5696 ~ ~--~------~ 1~ 4 NEWS Columbia's version of the Academy Awards will take place at the 1996 Student Film and Video Festival May 17 in the Getz Theater, 72 E. II th St. The show will begin with a film screening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., fol lowed by a reception featuring an awards presentation. After receiving 48 entries, a jury composed of six students narrowed the field down to about two hours of films to show during the screening. A representative from Panavision will judge film-originated works and present an award at the festival. A Kodak representative will also be Filmmakers, 1543 W. Division St. Photo by Doug Human in attendance to present an award. Livingston is a faculty member of the Film and Video Department Television Department. Chairperson Ira Abrams will host t}le event. Film and video categories to be WBBM-CHANNEL 2 has flip BILL HAYASHI featured include silent films, music flopped the sports and weather segments videos, documentary and ~nimation. on its 10 p.m. newscast. Sports is now Currently, the festival is held at the reported before the weather, in contrast By Lisa Manna end of each semester. to the traditional weather, then sports Staff Writer But according to Charles Celander of format. Sports producer Steve Goldberg the FilmNideo department, it may be cut said the change can be attributed to "the Who he is: Bill Hayashi is a full-time Liberal Education instructor. He to once a year to generate more interest. almighty dollar," as the weather segment teaches "Mystical Consciousness," "The Philosophy of Love" and is ·now interrupted by a commercial "Empowering Di versity." Parker gets it done... break. Channel 2 previously experiment ed with commercials in the middle of the On the classes he teaches: "Philosophy of Love" focuses on different types Lisa Parker and Channel 5 's sports segment, but found that it was of love - family, friend, and spiritual, and it has an underlying emphasis on Consumer Unit, Target 5, have caused easier to break up the weather, Goldberg self-love and self-acceptance. quite a stir with their report on lead in said. "Mystical Consciousness" is an introduction to ways of perceiving different some foreign-made miniblinds. types of meditation like Tai Chi and visualization. . .. Ten national retail chains have agreed HARRY VOLKMAN ended his IS People who take the course sometimes feel uncomfortable w1th tra~!l•on~l to refund concerned miniblind cus year run as a Channel 2 weatherman religious backgrounds, so they want to find alternatiVes that resonate With the1r tomers, and the state and local health May 5.·The station elected not to renew inner being. They want feel a sense of umty and awareness. departments are doing tests of their own. his contract, which ended on May 2. ''Empowering Di versity" [is a course] I co-teach w1th Carole Isaacs who has "We tried hard to inform, and we are Volkman was reportedly upset at station done a lot of work with creating visual images. We explore the hnk between happy with the way we executed [the bosses for giving him the cold shoulder creativity and self-empowerment, particularly in the context of diversity, such story]," Parker said. during his farewell. as gender, class, religion and ethnicity. Parker's report generated reaction Volkman gave the audience a final nationwide after being broadcast "Whoosh," one of his trademark sound His philosophy of life: The goal of every course I teach is the same and it through the NBC wires in Los Angeles, effects, during his last report. Weekend can be expressed in a quote from Hamlet, "To thine own self be true and 11 Milwaukee and Detroit, among other anchors Jay Levine and Lauren Green will follow as the night the day thou canst not then be false to any man." cities. appeared shaken at the departure of their In that. personally. I grew up as a third generation Japanese-American and colleague. we were put in relocation camps in WWII. so issues of ethnicity and identity TV Notes... have always been important to me. Radio Notes••• THE LAST FOUR SHOWS on His teaching philosophy: I want to create a community of learning in the CCEN, the Columbia College Electronic SISI SITHOLE, also known as the classroom. I want it to be a place where people really feel safe to share the1r Newsletter, will include more hard news "Goddess of Middays," hosts Mondays inner li ves, and to be heard and respected by others. Students often say that to go along with its current and Tuesdays from II a.m. to 3 p.m. on they've never felt so close with other students before. interview/variety format. Columbia's WCRX-FM (88.1). She also CCEN will broadcast information on hosts an 80s flashback show Who he admires: I strongly admire my meditation master who is fully graduation, registration and other end Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. realized and embodies authenticity and unconditional love. I really respect my of-the-year news. CCEN is shown in the wife also. She really embodies true Japanese values. I was touched by her sim lobbies of the 600 S. Michigan and 623 THE FIRST TWO HOURS of "Love plicity and purity and knowing her has helped me become more comfortable S. Wabash buildings. Notes," Mitzi Miles' request and dedica with my own Japanese roots. tion show on WTMX-FM (101.9), have THE PREMIERE SCREENING of been dumped. What he likes best about Columbia: The students. I think they ar~ very Sara Livingston's documentary, "Turn The show, which originally began at real, very" creative, and very diverse in that in most cases they do have a long Her White With Stones: The Journey," 7 p.m., will be broadcast weeknights ing to know themselves. I also like the fact that Columbia gives me the oppor will be held May 16 at The Chicago from 9 p.m. to midnight. tunity to teach non-traditional classes. Healthy Volunteers Needed The Bvwtoo Holplla1 Clinical PflvmarxWv UDit teeb he&hhy IIICIIII) pulicipa!J in a dru& ~project Voi.UIIIeaJ IIIIlS be bdwem 18 aDd SU Jl!lll of qe. Ill Cl'der II) qualify you mlUt meet all of lite follotlln: ailrtla: 1le of avera:e wei&bt ._110 li&Di1icaat bea1lh JXOblems *IIOt be lllill& any medicatiolll AJ a vd.unteer you wlllaay in the Oinil:al PbatmacoloeY Ullit for approximalcly .ninettcal. daya. 'lbe DCX180CIIICIII will bqin May 28, 1996. AIIIDlli A. Piqiol,lol.D. n.. ~ HcApit.ol Cilliolll'IIIII*Oioo tJDII 2650 Billp AWSJVe, llooa 1100 ~ . l1lmolt 6Q20t · 1b qualify you Dlllst successfully complete a study scremi.n,g. Th schedule an appointment, or obtain further information, cootact the Assistant Volunteer Recruiter at (847) 570-2088 or (847) 570-2085. Compensation is $1,880.00 May 13, 1996 NEWS 5 ON M l\Y 17. • • The Department of Film and Vid eo 1996 Student Film F esti val Friday~ May t 7 6:00 - 8:00 p.Ill_. (~ el z 'l' hen.t <_,.,. 72 l~ ttsl . ·t ·II h St•·<~ f"l NEED $$$ FOR SCHOOL? IRII:fi!J® A CALIBER SYSTEM CO. YEAR ROUND PART-TIME JOBS • EARN $9.00 TO $9.50 AN HOUR • $.50/HR. TUITION CREDIT AFTER 30 DAYS • WORK UP TO 5 HOURS A DAY • JOBS AVAILABLE FOR LOADERS, UNLOADERS • EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR PROMOTION • OTHER LOCATIONS IN ADDISON, SCHAUMBURG, NORTHBROOK & HAMMOND, IN Shifts Available {Monday-Friday) Sunrise 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Mid-Day 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applications taken Mon. - Fri. Twilight 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m . Night 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. at Bedford Park location. Requirements • You must be 18 years or older IPHfmU~I!J® • You must be able to provide your A CALIBER SYSTEM CO. AIPIIIPI~MI!J CAUBER SYSTEM CO. ~ own transportation 6833 West 75th Street Is an equal opportunity1 • You must be able to work a Bedford Park, ILLINOIS 60638 affirmative action employer manual labor job (708) 594-1855 6 FEATURES May 13, 1996 Gabba, gabba, goodbye to the Ra01ones By Rusty Osgood Corrrspond,-nt Aggression: "D-D-T did a job on me, "Hey Ho, Let's Go, Now I am a real sickcc. Shoot 'Em in the back now, Guess I'll have to break the news, What they want, That I've got no mind to lose. I don't know, All the girls arc in love with me, They're all revved up and I'm a teenage lobotomy." ready to go!" --Teenage Lobotomy --Blitzkrieg Bop After 23 years together, the Ramoncs arc breaking up. The Ramones kn ew, the In 1981. I was a sad, lonely teenager trapped in a Ramoncs understood, the nightmarish suburban landscape of jocks, jerks, and Ramones were. They didn't feat hered hair princesses. I had a face fu ll of zits, high just sing about being fucked water pants. and no social standing. Freak number one up adolescents, •they were with a bullet. The few friends I had were reluctant to fu cked up adolescents, regard and Johnny Ramone. stand by me because they were barely ahead of me on less of their age. Known as the the ladder of cool, in the world turning town of ugliest band in the world, they bands, ranging from Joan Jett to Guns & Roses, played Weymouth, Massachusetts.· were a true ray of hope for the ulti mately hopeless; they songs incredibly similar to the brothers four. They did I don't remember exactly when or where it hap were not beautiful, rich rock stars telling you about how o 't have a single guitar solo until their fourth record, pened: the car radio, twiggy's video juke box, the "Over tough it is to be famous or about all the women they "Road to Ruin." A typical hour and a half long live set the Edge" soundtrack-but in that fateful year I heard slept with. As the seventies were slumping into a wind by the Ramones includes over 36 songs, every one of the band that would lure me into the proud circle of fall of hedonism and "Three's Company" land, the them played faster than the studio recorded versions. "pinheads" forevermore: THE RAMONES! Isolation, Ramones were the four horsemen at the dawn of the The faster the better. Live dumb, Play fast. desperation, separation and retardation were the staples punk rock apocalypse. They embodied the ugly, the The Ramones made it possible for me to survive the of a Ramone's diet. Their songs were a rally cry for horny, the lonely, and they were the most beautiful of suburbs in a lot of ways. Running spastically through everybody who ever felt like a nobody. all. the high school corridors singing, "I'm a teenage lobot The Ramones were the first true punk rock band. omy" would be my battlecry to the hordes of yuppie Isolation: When the Forest Hill four started playing together in wanna-be's; suited up in polo shirts and Nike sneakers; August of 1973, the members of the Sex Pistols were waiting in one long line to be tomorrow's Happyland "I'm a teenage schizoid/ still cheating on math tests in high school. The Ramones consumers; licking their lips at the thought of getting The one your parents despise/ took the traditional fifties Chuck Berry/Eddie Cochran those delicious corporate jobs where they would have to Psychotherapy/ style songs, made them three times faster, and turned the chainlink a s mile to their faces and say thank you, thank Now I've got glowing eyes." sickly sweet lyrics of the same era into tributes to hor you, thank you as the boss put a funnel in their mouths ror movies, sniffing glue and doomed love: and poured his/her unfiltered vomit into their already --Psychotherapy cancer ridden systems. If I couldn't beat them up, I was "Well I can't understand it, going to freak them out. Anything about you, The Ramones secured me with a wall of punk rock Help you if I can, safety where I could wander around with tongue firmly What can I do? stuck out, proud of the "Creep" title my peers had so Miserable is where you must be, thoughtfully christened me with. They created a securi •"' In the institution, ty blanket of psychosis that would later be expanded by 'Cause you're so crazy." their hundreds of apprentices. When I was a cleptoma niac, taking on such stores as Bradlees and Caldors, I ;Y', ~. -- You Sound Like You' re Sick knew the Ramones, X, Devo, and the Cramps would all be proud of me. The Ram ones are the Beethovens of my ~ The Ramoncs were freaks: no make-up, no puffy generation. Tile Blank Generation. Nobody has to save t- hair, no fancy clothes. Their uniform consisted of tom a place in punk rock heaven for the Ramones. The jeans, !-shirts, leather jackets. While every other band Ramones are punk rock gods. on the planet was playing rambling Kansas style, "Dust ' ~ in the Wind" eight minute long songs, the Ramones " 1-2-3-4, broke the time speed barrier with songs ranging from Cretins wanna have some more, . one minute and fifteen seconds to two and a half min 4-5-6-7, . . . utes tops. The Ramones didn't have to impress ANY All good cretins go to heaven." ONE with their playing. Every song was a three chord : L . wonder. Few bands gave them credit, but thousands of --Cretin Hop Summer Jobs to $13.00/hour This summer you can earn from $6.00·$ 13.00 per hour The Chro,alcla Ia laaklng (depending on your skills). t'or abaft' editor• t'ar the t'all 199& aemeater. Theae work aide paaltlona atart Same week pay •~ .4.i!5 an hour and are Work in pleasant Loop or Michigan Avenue ofllces. available at I o.s ar i! I We need people skilled in the following areas: hour• par weak. • Wordprocessing • Reception • Secretarial • Data Entry lnteraated atudanta ahauld aand a raauma Most posiUons require typing skills. and/or cllpa ta the Chronicle,. Room ao• at' the Wlllba•h Building. Dr •·mall FOR AN APPOINTMENT. gaur work ta CALL BETH AT Cb'l'ontcl••m•IJ.calum.adu (312) 782-7215 · For mara lnfarmetlan, cell Cbronlcla faculty edvlaar JJm •ulakl at •xt. 5584. APPROPRIATE TEMPORARIES May 13, 1996 EDITORIAL How's The Scribbler's Perspective: Stu Your Steak? John Henry Biederman By Yasmin Khan Managing Editor Copy Editor Chicago's chaffmg chauffeurs unny thing happened to me at the "You know, we all have a third Chronicle the other day. I was at my nipple. I have a third nipple Fdesk, nibbling on a piece of cheese, when the door fl ew open to reveal an airborne too, but I just don't show it to friend of mine, who promptly landed on the strangers. That's too private. It's like show face of a wall, bounced to the floor and dove ing your pee-pee in public. I could get behind my desk. arrested." "It's the Feds!" yelled Mr. Von Chuckler. I looked at the cab driver and nodded "Knuckles, what has gotten into you?" dumbly. My laughter was only kept in check "Jack-booted thugs! Get down!" by the nagging doubt at the back of my I started to duck, but thought better of it as mind that any minute now his head would I noticed no jack-booted thugs in the doorway. 'Weed Wackin" Pfleger do a 360-degree turn. "Sorry-thought I saw Feds. Musta been Then there was the cabbie who spouted some crazily dressed, liberal students." he Rev. Michael Pfleger, if you can say nothing else about him, Shakespeare all through my journey. From "Knuckles, why're you hiding from the "where for art thou goes!, fair maiden," to "I Feds?" could offer a lot of us helpful lessons in staying active. Much of the time he's doing great things for poor, urban communities, like bat- leaveth you with your change." I, of course, "Same reason everyone else should be. T drew the line at his wanting to kiss my hand. You're a conservative, right?" tling omnipresent cigarette and alcohol billboards or slimy marketers of kid Ahhh, cab drivers. David Letterman uses "No, but I wouldn't..." die drinks in whiskey-bottle shapes. them as food for his funny fodder in New "Well, you need to start spreading conspir- This past weekend was not one of Pfleger's finer moments. York, but here in Chicago. these outrageous acy theories." caricatures come alive as an integral part of "What?" Pfleger, along with other members from his South side St. Sabina's Chicago's colorful culture. "It's the newest rage." Church, was planning to combat "evil" at one of Chicago's oft-ignored, yet I thought about calling security. Yes, cab drivers in Chicago are a motley "Mind if I have a hunk of your cheese?" he nonetheless annual, spring festivals. The pastor and his crew attended the bunch that delight in driving their unsus said, tearing my cheese wedge away. "It's Windy City Weedfest, held this year in the east parking lot of Soldier Field. pecting victims not just to thei r destinations, but up the wall as well. awfully hot in here." For those of you not in the know, the Windy City Weed fest has been a sta "... Knuckles, I'm going to tear you limb ... " It thus pains me to learn that Chicago has "Do you know why?" ple of the city's spring fare. This year will mark its tenth year of presentation decided to expand on its taxi driver training " ... from limb!" by the Illinois Marijuana Initiative, a not for profit organization advocating program in the face of the Democratic I lunged at Knuckles as he ducked out the Convention in June. With emphasis on hos door. He ran down the hall. "The Jews!" he the legalization, or at least decriminalization, of marijuana. According to the pitality, geography, safety, general taxi man yelled, heading through the double doors to initiative, the event began with 30 participants and has grown over the years agement and "a minimal amount of lan the elevators. to include 50,000 in 1995. Besides being a protest rally, the festival includes guage screening," the city is all set to tum ·~what ...about ... the Jews?" I asked vendors of non-intoxicating hemp crafts, exhibits and literature and also fea -Chicago cabbies into cuddly cubs. between gasps as Knuckles, a few strides A pity really, not just because all this is ahead of me, boarded an elevator. tures plenty of local musicians over a Saturday and Sunday. being done to present the world with a dif 'The Jews are conspiring to make the It also includes plenty of marijuana smoking, which is why Rev. Pfleger ferent view of Chicago, but because the Chronicle's temperature unbearable!" decided to attend. rude, eccentric cab driver who can barely The elevator doors shut, with me on the No, despite all the marvelous photo possibilities it would present, Pfleger string a sentence together besides "Go wrong side of them. I took the stairs. where?", "I think I am lost," and "Money, Naturally, I beat the elevator down, but by wasn't looking to suck on a joint. Au contrair, he was seeking to prompt the money," IS Chicago. that point I was so out of breath that I fell to Chicago Police Department into arresting pot-smoking participants. While I am sure that the poor dears who the floor. President Duff and other administra tors kicked me around a bit, but they backed In the past, the CPD and Park District have largely ignored the festival. man the "How Am I Driving" hot line would off by the time I had enough energy to stand True, marijuana is a controlled substance, its possession punishable by prison welcome the break, turning cab drivers into well-mannered chauffeurs for the length of and see Knuckles dash onto Wabash. in some cases. But the police and Park District have written it off as a peace "Stop, thief!" I yelled, but security was time the world is watching reeks of busy hassling a pizza delivery man. I took off ful, relatively inconsequential gathering, despite the fact that crimes (con hypocrisy. What next? Gluing an attach into the rain after my nemesis. "So why do the cerning marijuana) are undoubtedly committed each year. ment onto the spirals on top of the Sears Jews care about the Chronicle's temperature?" As well they should. tower so that Chicago will once again house "Because... they control everything! the tallest building in the world, if only for And ... they don't want your type getting any Although we believe Pfleger's intentions were benign, analyzation of the four days? journalism jobs." larger picture brings a deeply troubling trend to the forefront. The push for What will it take for the city to realize At that point, I was close enough to grab marijuana law reform gained its strongest momentum during the 1960s and that cab drivers are not a force to be reck his jacket, spin him around, make a fist and... oned with? At least they aren't panhandling "Wait!" Knuckles said. "I know what '70s, and although its place in our legal system remains about the same, pub or trying to sell off free publications for $1. you' re going to say." lic opinion swayed in a different direction. Few today would place pot in the And rarely do we hear of taxis getting "I'm not going to say anything." same category as cocaine, heroin or ecstasy. And few would place the mari involved in major accidents despite the "Ah! But you 're thinking, ' I know Jews juana user in the same category as our legal system does: with murderers and dubious driving. working minimum wage jobs,' right?" What sets them apart is that they are sup "No-but I do. How do you explain that?" other violent offenders. "Easy," he said, between munches. "Would posed to be ambassadors for the city. And But Pfleger's attitudes probably are in line with those of many others. We so, as far as possible, we need to try and you like a piece of cheese?" "Why certainly. Thanks." are growing away from the "Live and Let Live" philosophy that the '60s and "humanize" them-get them to speak our "It's all a front, see. A lot of Jews pretend '70s helped usher in and back toward a rigid, "conform or else" credo from language, get them to smile not only when a to work those jobs while really being CEO's less enlightened times. passenger says "keep the change" but when for Japanese companies. The Japanese own a someone gets into the cab. the parts of the world that the Jews don't." We do not advocate the use of marijuana any more than we advocate the But teaching them how to be hospitable "Gimme my cheese!" I chased Knuckles use of more acceptable social vices like alcohol or tobacco. But we realize and courteous could rob them of the very east on Harrison. We zoomed into the marijuana belongs in the same category as the latter two. Viewing the preva traits that have made them a part of Harrison Cafe, zig-zagging around tables. He Chicago. Like the American cab driver who leveled a waitress as he went behind the lence of taverns in most every American town and the presence of alcohol at insisted that he had an extra nipple and that counter, grabbing a hot pot of coffee. most every social function-including those attended by our government he would show me his if I would show him "Now, you're going to listen to me, or... " officials-we can't help but notice the hypocrisy coming from an alcohol mine. Although amused, at times like these He had a hostage! dependent society. I am infinitely grateful for my Asian her "... the Korean owner gets it!" itage. "What?" I said. "I no speak English." "Okay!" Despite the number of attendees, like most citizens of Chicago we, too, see It is these little idiosyncrasies that make "The Koreans have their own. conspiracy." the Windy City Weedfest as an eclectic relic of the past. But as with civil each a character. And I can either allow "Oh really." rights, sexual freedom and political activism among the young, we wish the myself to be overwhelmed, or I can sit back, "Yup. I'm not sure what it is, but I'll make relax and enjoy the show. it up-er, I'll figure it out." activity had a more prominent place in the collective eye. And that its agen You see, I want to get into a cab and be "Knuckles, can you prove any of these da was taken more seriously by those who write our laws and fill our prisons. conspiracies?" entertained by the driver who is adamant "No-but that's the beauty of it! Can you Intolerance for the way others live their life is the problem here, Rev. that the President has a home on Mars. I disprove them?" Pfleger. And we're sure that next year you will have no shortage of more want to scream at the guy · who thought I "Well conspiracy implies a secret " important ways to spend those 48 hours in May. wanted to go to Clarendon when I said "But can you disprove them?" Sheridan. I want to hear the Pakistani dri "Well, no." ver's warped take on America and its gov "Can I have a piece of cheese?" The Chronicle invites readers to send letters to the editor. ernment and how the entire system stinks "Why, certainly." As he reached for the Please direct all correspondence to: when, he, an illegal immigrant, is making cheese, he dropped the coffee pot on the floor, $3,000 a month. freeing the owner. And I seized my cheese. Letters to the editor, Room 802, 623 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL Most of all, I never tire at the bravado of 'This columnist has stole my cheese 60605. the cab driver who, despite the "How Am I because he's a Nazi trying to rule America You may also send e-mail to: Driving" sticker sitting mockingly on his through the biased and liberal media by ... " bumper, does a kamikaze dive into down I dumped a steaming bowl of ramyon on Chronicle@ dns. colum. edu town traffic, seemingly oblivious to the hail his head. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. of upraised middle fingers he leaves behind. 8 FEATURES May 13, 1996 311 prontotes celebration and unity By Ryan Healy Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Entutainment Editor Machine. I will compare them to the Iauer, with a twist: they sound a little As a group of friends and I danced like Rage Against the Machine on a wildly in a circle one night like sav real mellow mushroom trip. ages around a campfire, I realized Looking at the artwork on the last something. I saw the clouds and the 311 album, I was perplexed. Drawings moon and let the sounds permeate of aliens dominate the content. After through my head: punk, funk, reggae, speaking with SA, I have a bener hip-hop, power chords, all mixed understanding of where this stuff was together in a melodic bliss. They were influenced from. We discussed the the sounds of 311 , a Los Angeles Philadelphia Experiment, the fourth based quintet originally from Omaha, dimension, and parts of the earth and I knew I liked them. which have a higher energy level. A few months later, I checked out Look for these topics to find their way their live show at the Vic. into the lyrical mix of the next 311 "I want everybody to have a good album. time when they see us, and I think 31 1 has put out an album a year for they do," said vocalist and turntable the last three years. Their future, extraordinaire SA Martinez in an though not etched in stone, should fall interview over the phone from Los into place. Angeles. " I want people to get into it "I'm never really good at answer and have a smile on their face and just ing that question [about the future]," be like ' Fuc k, that was the best said Martinez. "I think as long as we show."' maintain a level composure and don't While it may not be the best show get too caught up in what's going on, I've ever seen, it was right up there on we'll be fine. As long as we just make my list. 311 tours relentlessly, sup music and stay grounded, that's all I porting their three albums, "Music," can hope for-just stay focused and "Grassroots," and the latest release the rest will come." "311," all on Capricorn Records. 311 will be touring through " I just love touring," said Martinez. October, when they will start record " I love doing live shows because ing new material. What can fans that's the most fun. Doing a record is People do go off at 3 11 shows. Mahoney, bassist P-Nut and drummer expect? "It's always a surprise, you fun, but I just like the energy of a Their show is a celebration of sorts Chad Sexton, draws its influence from know," said Martinez. "You never show and seeing people go off. I mean celebrating life, promoting peace, a plethora of sources, everyone from know what you're going to come up music, people do it because it's an promoting unity. Bad Brains to Bob Marley to Nat King with." emotional type of deal. It can move 311, comprised of Martinez, lead Cole to the Grateful Dead. Out of this Check out 311 at the Riviera you, and I love it. I just love perform vocalist and rhythm guitarist Nicholas comes a unique rock-rap sound. They Theatre, 4746 N. Racine, Thursday, ing, bonom-line." Hexum, guitarist Timothy J. have drawn comparisons to the May 16. WORKS lN PROFESSlONAL, No ntolds broken By Rob England myself/ sick of every so passionately. Correspond~nt thing I am," Mould For a !pan that hates APPLlED AND FlNE ARTS sings on "Anymore somethirig'"s ty supplies and brands, such as Paul Mitchell, African Pride, Sebastian and Revlon. Run out ofhairspray? Aftershave? Can't find your It also has a big selection of curling irons, brush- favorite burgundy hair color anywhere? Or maybe es and hair dyes. And if Valentine doesn't have what you JUSt want to spot a celebrity buying some sham- you need, the store will order it for you. poo? Well, worry no more, because Valentine & Son "If someone comes in here to find their favorite Beauty Supply has got you covered on 1 ------, hair color and we don't have it, I'll call all of these-and they're only a few around, find it, and order it for the cus- blocks away. WHAT: tomer," said Frank Valentine, nephew of Located at 34 W. Van Buren, in the owner John Valentine. "We'll find spe- middle of the construction mess Valentine & Son cialty items that customers have a hard between State . and Dearborn, time locating." Valentine & Son carries all your beau- Beauty Supply Valentine said this is one of the ty and personal care needs. things that separates his store from larg- Founded in 1921 on Clark Street, WHERE er beauty supply stores. the business originally sold cutlery. : "We carry many lines of hair care, When demand for cutlery dwindled, it and a lot of established barbers in the eventually moved into the beauty busi- 34 W. Van Buren city come in here to get things they can't ness. Valentine & Son has been at its find anywl)ere else," said Valentine. current location since 1963. "We give great customer service and Columbia student. Keisha WHEN: our employees are like consultants. Thompson said Valentine & Son is They can tell you how the products more than willing to help customers work and what other customers have find the things they need. Thompson, Monday - Friday: thought of them. a senior majoring in Television, has 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. "We really give personalized service. worked at Valentine & Son for almost We ' ll go the extra mile." one year. "I really like working with Saturday: Valentine & Son even carries its own customers," she said. brand of aftershave called "Bump Off." "People come in here with different 10 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. "It is sold all over the country," problems and situations, and I am here explained Valentine. to help. I know all of the [product] lines prelly well "It's for guys with sensitive skin, and the ladies and I like giving them informaiion. I know a lot of can use it, too." shortcuts people can use to enhance their looks." Valentine & Son also offers students a 10 percent What item do students come into Valentine & Son discount with a school I.D., so why go anywhere for most? Hair color, hands down. else? Hey, even Bo knows Valentine. · "Students come in here a lot for hair color, espe- Yes, even Bo Jackson, football and baseball stud, cially Columbia students," said Thompson. has shopped there. And he isn'tthe only celeb you "They're usually looking for the bleaches that will could run into at Valentine and Son. take all of the color out, and a lot of different colors, Oprah's boyfriend Stedman Graham shops there Photo by Laura Stoecker too. We've ordered blue, green, pink, purple, you and even Mr. T has stopped in to pick up some new name it." clippers for his mohawk. C~berry ntadness WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN By l{ob England O'Riordan is understated, though Correspondent she puts in a good showing with her ...... ;: ··· harsh delivery. The Cranberries : I swear there must be something sound -- and I never thought I'd say STUDENT? in the water in Ireland. Some magi this, mad -- real mad. cal element or something that caus This furiousness doesn't stop + es the consumer of the water to after "Salvation." Instead, it serves drastically as the back transform bone for the Then don ' t take chances! every couple entire album. of years. First Songs like it was U2, "Hollywood" ~ who have and "I Just changed iden Shot John ~_j tities so many Lennon" drive times that if with an inten you played sity formerly their first and unseen in the WE HAVE ANSWERS last albums band's music. consecutively This is not the it would edgy pop that sound like m a d e (t o your two different "Zombie" a bands. Now, following in U2's foot hit, but a raw rock vibe that the Sci ence & steps, The Cranberries allempt to Cranberries have shied away from Mat hematics transform. in the past. With their first two releases, the One song on the album that will Questions ) Cranberries have solidifietl them surely get the band in some hot selves as leaders in the poignant water is "I Shot John Lennon." A dream-pop music scene. Dolores disturbing track about the night O'Riordan's pungent lyrics and Lennon was killed, it is sung from a unique delivery have provided so fan's (or fanatic's) perspective, much emotion that the often lack someone that knew the persona, not luster music backing her up was the man. What makes the song so FOR FREE HE LP: overlooked. It's a common scientif eerie is not the song's content, but Visit t he Science & Mat hematics Dept. ic formula--you mix some acidic rather the five gunshots that follow Learning Center substance, such as O'Riordan lyrics, the song. Wabash Building with something basic, such as the But the Cranberries remind us on music, and the result is a neutral "When You're Gone" and "I'm Still Room #511 substance. But to hell with science, Remembering" that deep down, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 9 am 7 pm right? The band has sold milli ons of they arc still a pop band. "When Fri 9 am 5 pm records, so they must be doing You're Gone" is a beautiful something right. doo-wop love song that is the band's Or, Call 663-1600, Ext. 5545 Well , ~f you have heard best love song to date. Two other for more information. "Salvation," the first single off the moving tracks are the politically band's third release, "To The motivated "War Child" and THEN, SAIL RIGHT THROUGH THE SEMESTE R! Faithful Departed," you may n9tice "Bosnia." Both are bare-boned a slight change. Gone are the placid appeals to stop the violence, with harmonies and the lush lyrics made lead singer O'Riordan practically popular on songs like "Dreams" and breaking into tears. "Ode To My Family." In their place It is this emotion that Cranberries are a train wreck of sounds. A fans have fallen in love with, and fast-paced rocker, "Salvation," actu they'll be glad to know it's still ally showcases the band as a whole. there. The back-up musicians are lhe stars Now, however, if you don't pay of the song, giving it an out-of-con auention, they might just beat the trol feeling. For the first time, crap out of you. 10 FEATURES May 13, 1996 I don't care what you think: · I. AM People can express themselves through clothes, and if the average person actually takes the time to think about what he or she wi ll wear each day, then how did mass mur Taylor derer Jeffrey Dahmer dress? Wriler The event was not as organi zed as other fashion shows held at Columbia, but "JAM" was quite entertaining. The "menz" (men) models were absolutely Lambda Force held its second annual gay, marvelous; their makeup was picture perfect. lesbian and hi-sexual alliance fashio n show They tried to strut their stuff like the female May 3 in the Ho kin Annex. models, but they couldn't touch the ladies. This year's theme. " lAM. focused on who The female models came in all shapes and you arc as an individuaL Ronnie Boykin, the sizes and, although they didn't have the "atti graphic designer had written this poem,about tude" of professional models, they tried real how people view themselves for the event. hard. Veronica Drake, the master of ceremonies, did a wonderful job. I am one with myself, therefore I am Each time the coordinator was not ready to intelligent send a schedule model onto the stage, Drake creative would talk to the audience making them forget strong, for I stand with my head held high they were waiting. beautiful, inside and out The treat for the evening was the entertain not afraid nor intimidated by ones words ment segment. LAMDA had the nerves to try or acti ons and shock the audience with Transsexual a leader not a follower entertainers. filled with li fe But the audience loved them and showed dreams their love by tipping them. contro lling my own destiny, setting goals Please, LAMBDA, do it again, we need for me to achieve something beautiful to feast our eyes upon. tho ughtful Thank you. canng The stores that participated in " lAM" were smcerc Group USA and Hardware for Men. searching for that inner peace Group USA highlighted clothes that arc discovering who I am-real perfect for j ob interviews. as well as a line o f never putting on a role to impress anyone wear that would be fashionable for the Senior accept me for who I am Dance (which will be held on May 24 at the educated Hilton and Towers). one \vith se nse Something that has to be admired about one with integrity LAMBDA Force is its unity. never judging one because of Other Columbia students who worked with appearance Paul arc Wesley Johnson (vidcographcr), color Me lissa Wendel (public relations) and Paul race Antho ny. a designer and a Junior at Columbia, sex was the coordinator of the event.. sexual preference LAMBDA Force is a student organization Photos by Jeanne Larsen I am one of mind, body and soul. therefore here at Columbia College. They deal with the I am. issues that revolve around the the gay, lesbian. bi-sexual & transgendercd communities. CLASSIFIED ADS Are you disgusted with news coverage of FUND RAISING mission, and bonuses. Leave verbal resume. Latinos and their issues? FAST FUNDRAISER Call: 312 • 509-6859 RAISE $500 IN 5 DAYS GREEKS. GROUPS, NO GIMMICKS CLUBS. MOTIVATED EXTRA INCOME NOW! INDIVIDUALS. FAST, Envelope stuffing- $600- THE JOURNALISM CLUB AND EASY - NO FINANCIAL $800 every week. ALTERNATIVE PRESS CLASS OBLIGATION Free Details: SASE to: (800) 862-1982 EXT. 33 International Inc., 1375 ANNOUNCE Coney Island Ave., HELP WANTED Brooklyn, New York 11230 THE FOURTH ANNUAL Wanted! Someone to SUMMER JOBS TO take in and care for two $13.00/HOUR ·SAME LATINO WRITERS WORKSHOP cats, well behaved and WEEK PAY! Earn from de-clawed, 6-19/8-10. Will $6.00- $13.00 per hour pay $100. Please contact: (depending on your skills) this summer. Work in Louis Silverstein in Liberal FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1996 Education office x5292. plasant Loop or Michigan 11:00 A.M. -- 12:20 P.M. Avenue offices. We need ROOM (TORCO) people with the following 1305 skills (most positions TRAVEL 624 S. MICHIGAN require typing): wordpro cessing, secretarial, recep· HOT SPRING BREAK tion, data entry. Call TRIPS Angela at Appropriate TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION: PADRE! PADRE! Temporaries PADRE! "HOW SHOULD THE MEDIA COVER THE (312 782-7215 1-800-328-7513 FREE FOOD & DRINK LATINO COMMUNITY SUMMER .JOB: Set PAC KAGES IN AN ELECTION Y EA R?" Your own daytime http:\www.studentndv· schedule, Mon-Fri. trav.com Business to business telc murketlng. Cluunber of Commerce products und service sales. No cold call· Open to All! Don't Miss It. In~ . Communlcnllnn, or~ll · 'lb plucc il clusslncd ud, nlzntlonnl skills und moll t•ull the Chronicle's vullcm to succeed required. Advertising Munuacr, J•.rorcsslonalund cncouru~ Sundrn 'IDylor, at (312) hll( nhnosJ)hcrc, lmsc, com· 663-1600. May 13, 1996 FEATURES 11 Ice skater cools heels to graduate :J.)ale6 By Jackie Gonzalez Lake Forest. She came to Columbia because spends two hours on what she call s " fl oor Staff Writer there were onl y 1,000 students at Barat. She time." wanted a different atmosphere with different "We have ballet classes, spin class and The nation's eyes will soon be on the 1996 instructors. stretch classes," she said. lo Summer Olympics. But a Columbia senior "I also came to Columbia because I want During the summer, Jackson plans to get a and Marketing major has her eyes on icc. ed to move downtown," she said. job at the icc rink where she practices. She Jill ian Jackson is an ice skater who ranked Jackson trains at the Robert Crown Center would like to become an instructor of young 15th in a national competition. She's not in Evanston with coach Maria Jczak-Athey. skaters. upset about being # 15. Jackson is not Jezak-Athey's o nly student, but Unlike many skaters. Jackson hasn't put ~!!!!!~~~~~! "I worked very hard to get where I am she docs gets the most attention from her anything on hold to pursue a top-ranking spot ~ right now," said Jackson, smiling. coach. in icc-skating. She began skating at the age of 7 when her "At first there was some skaters who were "I trained with a girl in California two father first took her to the Barrington ice rink. jealous of me because of the time the coach years ago who was 19 years old and who did Fifteen years later, she's still hooked. spent with me," said Jackson. She said she n't fini sh her freshman year of high school," Vote for one of three prospec Jackson's father took her to the rink to get feels that she needs the extra attention. said Jackson. tive designs in the soon-to-be exercise, but gave hi s daughter more than a Jackson's whole life, at the moment, is not "She wasn't able to skate anymore, and remodeled Underground Cafe. lesson in physical fitness. all spent on the ice; she plans to graduate this she asked what was she going to do now. All Columbia students, faculty "It's funny, because my father is left-hand spring. Her main goal now is to complete the What do you do when you don't have any and staff are invited to partici ed and now I skate left-handed because he 18 hours of courses she has left. education?" pate, and the winner will be taught me," said Jackson, who is right-hand As she prepares to leave Columbia, she Jackson is in rare form when she competes announced at the end of the ed. manages to put in time on the icc from 9:30 to at skating competitions because she is the semester. This means that when she should be jump II :30 a.m. each day. only skater who is in college. ing from her right foot, she jumps and lands Once her class has ended at Columbia, Many of the skaters do not attend school, instead on her left foot. she's back at the rink from 3 to 5 p.m. Spring or they have private tutors because they are Her mother, Meg Jackson, remembers the is off-season for Jackson, so she docs not concentrating more on their skating careers. Thursday May 16: time her daughter began to skate. have to practice as hard. Not Jackson. " It was something that happened over a After graduating, she will begin to spend "I will sacrifice first place for an educa slow period of time, until her father and I more time at the rink, beginning at 9 a.m. and tion," she said. bought her her own pair of skates," said Meg. ending at I p.m. Her mother agrees. " I don't think that any Mark Wallace, a nationally "From there she took off." She will then return to the rink at 4 p.m. one should bank everything on a sport," she distinguished poet, will read Jackson came to Columbia two years ago and will not finish until 6. p.m. Jackson docs said. "No one can take your education away from his work 10 Hokin Hall at when she transferred from Barat College in not spend all of her time on the ice; she from you." 12:30 p .m. Free and open to the public. For more information, call ext. 5250. AHORA and Latinos in the Arts Celebration '96 present the Struknt Talent Showcase from 2- 4 p .m. in the Columbia College IN Lo'IE, Residence Center, 731 S . Plymouth Court Refreshments ,, will be served. AN1> ME: 0\<.t N K S Saturday May 18 t>'l Make Room. Columbia's Urban Mllsic Association will present its first annual urban music and hip hop conference from>9 a.m. to 5 :15 p.m. in the FergusoJ.l Theater, 600 S. Mic!Ugan Ave. • #v £nie 'conference will foeu~ rl eouclltion, networking and b\!si ness in the urban music and hip hop industries. Admission\ ls $5 for Columbia students, $10 for students from other colleges, and $15'for alfothers. , To register or for more infor m,aiion• . call Ernest at ext. o;) t (708),2~8-6446 Ren'tinder... Columbia's Office of Financial Aid would like t'o remind students of .the foltowing dates: June 1: Deadline for students who applied for financial aid during the 1995-96 academic year. October 1: . Deadline for students who did not apply for financial aid during the 1995-96 academic year. 12 FEATURES May 13, 1996 Debunking ntyths through literature Columbia's English professor and author Fred Gardaphe takes time off his busy schedule to talk about the pit fall s of being an Itali an and growing up in Melrose Park. He also discusses his new book "American Signs, Italian Streets: The Evolution of the Italian-American Narrative," and what inspired him to write the book. By Leon Tripplett By the time he got into the University Staff Writer of Chicago, he had written a novel and passed it on to an editor, who told hi m that In 1968, 17-year-old Fred Gardaphe went to pick she liked the book and said she would get up hi s date for a hi gh school dance. Her father back to him. wouldn' t open the door for him. Unfortunately, said Gardaphe, "She Gardaphe was used to such treatment-after all, to ld me that the marketing department he was an Itali an in a couldn't find non-Italian neighbor a ny place to hood. sell the book, In his newly- b e c a u s e released book, Italians didn' t ''Ame ri can Signs, read and didn' t Italian Streets: The buy books. I Evolution of the said that I read I talian-American and bought Narrative" (Duke books and I'm Press International), Italian." the Columbia Engli sh B u professor not o nly Gardaphe felt deals with literature that most of the among Italians but disc rimina tion debunks stereotypes was due to the and racist views that s t e reotypes permeate American perpetuated by society. the media. In Twenty-eight years his research, he after his experience . would learn wi th hi s date's father, some painful the salt-and-pepper bearded Gardaphc sat in his truths. office on the seventh noor of the Torco building, "I found out that the largest lynching preparing for a lecture on African-American li tera took place in Louisiana, where the victims ture. were Italians," said Gardaphe. " I also dis He took time to talk to the Chronicle and to covered that Italians replaced African reflect on the pitfalls of being an Italian growing up Americans, after the signing of the in Melrose Park. Emancipation Proclamation, as inden ''In school I was called 'Mafia Kid." he recol tured servants." lected. "But I d1dn't know what that meant." His extensive research culminated in a Gardaphc was raised during the turbulent '60s, book that traced the evolution of Italian Columbia English Professor, Fred Gardaphe, remembers being where organized crime was rampant and television American writing from oral immigrant called ''Mafia Kid" by students in school when he was growing showed all of it. autobiographies to the newest di rection in up in Melrose Park. He admitted that life was rough, with all of the fict ion. Gardaphe realized that the more stereotypes of Italians. " It was very hard to be an he learned about Italian culture, the more his aware not only won an award from the Italian Ministry of Italian." he said. · ness of othe r cultures was heightened. Foreign Affairs in 1993, but helped him to earn a "It was easie r in the neighborhood than at But "Ameri can Signs, Itali an Streets" was writ doctorate in literature as well. school. You were always teased." ten to inform Italians about their history. Realizing that he's late for class-the interview Gardaphe acknowledged that he was ignorant "Most people don't know any Italian-American went longer than expected-he rushes off. about his culture during most of his youth, but authors beyond Mario Puzo and 'The Godfather,' "Frederick Douglass was not segregated in death always had a penchant for writing. said Gardaphe. "There are plenty out there, and as he was in life," Gardaphe tells his students as he The catalyst for "Ameri can Signs, Italian most don't wri te about the Mafia." steps into class. Streets" occurred in high school when he wrote a Gardaphe wrote his book as his doctoral disserta That's a lesson he hopes America would learn paper on the Mafia and got a "C" on it. tion while at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It not to repeat. Sure. He shows kids that it's okay to be they want. Only know what's right , so be real to you r f.