Editorial And
Opinion Page
AS I SEE IT
Bruce Barton
Watch for IN THE LIGHT OF
REVERENCE, a PBS Documentary
co-produced by our Malinda Maynor
I'm going to leave the bigots in our midst to their own devices
this week and devote my column to "good" stuff, like our
very own Malinda Maynor. a doctoral student studying history at
UNC-Chapel Hill, who also dabbles in film making. She is also
the coordinator of our Lumbee River Fund.
She has co-produced a documentary which will appear on the
UNC-Chapel Hill Public Television Network Saturday. August 18
at 11 pm (check local listings), as part of P.O. V.. the independent
documentary series.
ABOUT THE FILM
In the Light of Reverence is a 72-minute documentary that
tells the stories of three American Indian communities and the
places they care for: the Lakota at Devils Tower in Wyoming, the
Hopi in the Four Corners area of the Southwest, and the Wintu at
Mt. Shasta in California. Places of extraordinary beauty (and
impassioned controversy) where Indians and non-Indians struggle
to co-exist with different ideas about how the land should be used.
For the Indians, land is sacred and akin to the world's great cathedrals.
For others, land should be used for industry and recreation.
The award-winning film explores this cultural dichotomy and documents
the Indians as they struggle to protect their sacred sites.
The film is produced and directed by Christopher McLeod and
co-produced by Malinda Maynor. Watch for it! It is an extraordinary
film and one you should not miss!
Well, let me send one little message to the bigots ...
Robeson County is subject to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the
1965 Voting Rights Act, and other applicable legislation, to make
sure that all people, including Indians, are treated fairly and aligned
constitutionally with "THE BOOK"! Board members are, as we
write, working on voting districts for the county school board.
Watch 'em close! Whatever they do has to be approved by the
justice department because, in the past, Robeson County politicos
discriminated against Robesonians of color. Keep an eye on 'em!!
Elvis Again to Appear for Strike at
The Wind! Closing Night!
Artistic Director David Oxendine has announced that he will once again
perform an Elvis skit the closing night of the regular season of SATW! August
11, 2001 at 8:00 P.M.. After many requests that he perform the Elvis impersonation
he decided to perform it on the closing night. Last year there was a
record of more than 1200 people in attendance for the closing night perfor,
mapte.,Oxendine has directed Randolph Umberger's Strike At the Wind! for
11. According to Oxendine, "audiences get a big kick out of the Elvis performance
and really get a chanceto get involved in the show." He also stated this
will coincide with the 24th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death on August 16,
1977 of heart failure. This time Oxendine states he will perform new songs
including "Teddy Bear," "Don't Be Cruel." "Suspicious Minds," and "My
Way." For the price of one show, audiences will relive some of the magic of
Elvis Presley and experience one of the best, if not the best outdoor drama in
the county. "Strike At the wind!" with music composed by Willie French Lowery.
So come out early on August 11, 2001 to the Adolph L. Dial Lakeside
Amphitheater, 3 miles west of Pembroke off highway 74 near Pumell Swett
High School. In order to get a good seat and catch one of Elvis' Scarves,
audience members should arrive at the theatre by 7:30 P.M.. After the Elvis
performance at 8:00 P.M. SATW! will begin at 8:30 P.M.. Ticket prices art
$8.00 for adults, $6.00 for senior citizens (age 50 and older), and $5.00 foi
children under age 12. For further ticket information please call 910-521
2433. ?i im
There,
VS
hope.
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Call 1.800.899.0089 or visit
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Editorially Speaking
Klan mentality and re-districting
Three hundred and twenty-seven people responded to our poll last week.
The question was: should Donnie Douglas and Bo Biggs stay out of Indian
business? The poll w as unanimous and a resounding YES! Many of those who
responded by tax especially had some other interesting comments. Nevertheless.
we continue to recommend that Indians NOT spend their money w ith
people who demonstrate Klan mentality or those who begin their conversation
w ith the famous declaration: "I am not a racist!"
Speaking of that mentality. Terry Smith, who represents District 8 on the
Board of Education (a white district, of course) this week w as reported to have
talked again when he should have listened. He was reported to say that if
Gloria Lowcry was living in District 8. something was wrong with the board
of elections. We think the idea of an Indian representing Smith's white district
was almost more than he could bear. It is a sad commentary on race relations
in Robeson. We hope that Smith and company are in the minority. Now we
all know that Pearlene Revels. Supervisor of Elections, has long been on the
"hit list" Smith and his cohorts have. You know, in addition to serving as
supervisor of elections. Ms. Revels is also Chairman of the Robeson Historical
Drama Association. Just recently the daily newspaper's editor accused her of
"shady" dealing in reference to a Strike at the Wind painting that was
purchased by the Indian Education Program of the Public Schools. Not onlydoes
she hold those two positions admirably, she is also an Indian. Hence, she
has made the klan mentality hit list. We would prefer to be on their list than
to be counted with Patrick Bullard who appears to be a vote for the expansion
of the Smith agenda. You remember that some of the whites have an agenda.
That are attempting to remove all Indians in positions of authority. I guess they
want to "take back their county." It is hard to take back something that you
never owned to begin with Hut that is another storv for another day. But we
remind you that every time a negative comment about an Indian is thought
of by this group, the daily newspaper gives it front page coverage. We are not
fooled and neither are the majority of Indians in this county!! Keep your eye
on the coverage of the re-districting issue. It is very important to their agenda
to keep Patrick Bullard in place, especially w ith his voting record thus far.
About the re-districting? We contend that re-districting lines to place
Patrick Bullard's new home into the district he represents is not adequate
reason to re-district. Bullard should resign from the board of education if he
is residing outside his district. That is the right thing to do. His allegiance w ith
Terry Smith and cohorts leave us to question whether he w ill do the right thing.
It is even possible that there is no real need to have districts in Robeson at this
period in our history! Someone will raise that issue with the Justice Department
we are sure. Wouldn't it be interesting if Terry Smith had to run county
wide? We would expect very little votes for him in some rural areas. Watch
how this klan mentality group fights to keep those districts!!! County wide
elections once again for school board? It is an idea and maybe an idea whose
time has come. We just throw it out for speculation!!! The school board will
hold public hearings on re-districting in the near future. Those should prove
to be interesting.
We are expecting an offer by Bullard and the Smith contingency to "buy
out" the superintendent's contract. We hope they w ill not be that fool hardy!!!
We call on Bullard to remember that "pay back" never works!! Nevertheless,
we will continue to watch and record Bullard's allegiance with the Smith
contingency!
SOME FUN!
" SEEMS TW?T OTTO GOT
OFF THE WRONG SIDE OF
THE BED THIS MORNING!*
Clark and Scott to Wed
Dexter and Jackie Clark of Lumberton, N.C. wish to announce the engagement
of their daughter, Jessica Clark to Matthew Scott, the sone of Renferd
and Andrena Scott of Pembroke, N.C. The wedding ceremony will be held at
Berea Baptist Church on August 25th at 3:00 p.m. All friends and family are
invited.
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