The pressure of media publicizing racist incidents at Northern is quite evident, however it is often involved in presenting only one side of the race-related activities at this university. On Dec. 1 through 3 the Department of Theatre Arts sponsored the presentation in its Fall Dance Concert of an intensely moving piece choreographed by a student as a protest against South Africa’s racist apartheid system of government. The piece, entitled “A People’s Cry,” was the only student-choreographed work to be shown in O’Connell Theatre in four years and was experienced by well over 1,800 people. Still, despite its relevence to the much published issue of racism, this positive example of energy directed towards powerfully and meaningfully making a statement against the injustices and suffering that racism propagates was entirely ignored by the media. However, at the same time an inconsiderate and simple-minded blackface routine done by students one single night in a bar received extensive press coverage and created a very slanted awareness of the narrow-minded atmosphere at Northern. There are many students, faculty, and administrators who are seriously concerned and acting against the attitude of prejudice that has been attributed to this university. The Star and student body here should be aware and appreciate the efforts to overcome racism, rather than only focusing on negative racially-related incidents.

Dan Bowers

senior

sports business