Newspapers / Black Ink (Black Student … / Aug. 18, 1981, edition 1 / Page 7
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August 18, 1981 Black Ink Page 7 Only two summer films star black performers LAWRENCE TURNER Managing Editor Editor's note: The following is a commentary about summer movies which lack black stars. This summer's crop of motion pictures is high on thrills and adventure with such block busters as "Superman II" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" but low in the visibility of black performers. In fact, only two films feature blacks in starring roles— Richard Pryor in "Bustin' Loose" and Gary Coleman in "On the Right Track." Interestingly enough, both stars are at their peaks as performers — Pryor with movies and Coleman with television. For instance, in the June issue of People magazine, funny man Pryor was described as having "become almost single-handedly Hollywood's black industry." "Bustin' Loose" is a movie produced by Pryor. The film has good intentions but misses the mark too often. For example, Pryor's co-star is Cicely Tyson. The special education instructor Tyson portrays is not a fully developed character and one wonders what prompts her actions. Unfortunately, the movie suffers from underdeveloped characters and situations. The two major problems are Tyson's character and the developing relation betweem Pryor and herself. The result could have been a longer but better movie. "On the Right Track" stars Gary Coleman in basically a reprise of his television "Diff'rent Fulfilling history (Continued from page 5) of '/2 Black Liberation" in 1969 read "Free dom, Justice, Unity, Power," in 1976. It evolved to "The Essence of Freedom is Understanding" today. Even though the paper has a staff of about 25 members, Cureton Johnson recalled its humble beginnings in saying, "It was a one- man operation. I took all the pictures and wrote 75 percent of the stories." In 1971 the BSM Coronoation Ball, in cluding Miss BSM, was begun. The ball is now an annual fall event. Miss Black Ink was instituted in 1975 when Shawm Payne of Hillsborough became the first queen. When the first black student body presi dent was elected in 1972, it became evident, however, that Black and white students con tinued to react along racial lines. Richard Epps, a 20-year-old RTVMP major from Wilmington, has been succeeded by only one other black student government presi dent. "They (the black presidents) were in a fun ny position," Allen Johnson said. "Blacks would claim they weren't black enough, while whites said they were too black. Many black students expected much too much- . . . they were in no-man's land." Even though the BSM has increased its role as the cultural, social and academic identifier for the black student, chairperson Canady emphasized the importance of con stant involvement before controversial inci dents occur. "(Blacks) should want to get involved in the everyday workings of the University to avoid problems rather than waiting until they explode and start trying to put the fire out," Canady said. Another goal for the BSM, other than con tinued promotion and exposure of the black heritage, includes unification of UNC blacks with blacks in Carrboro and Chapel Hill, Canady said. Even though no cafeteria brawls nor David Dukes have hit the Carolina campus in the last fiveyears, the BSM continues to challenge racist attitudes. But in the words of Cureton Johnson, who visited the campus in February after several year's absence only to find "KKK" spray-painted on a column near Manning Hall, "Some things never change." Canady said the need for change is what will keep the BSM vital. "As long as people remain ignorant to the benefits other cultures offer them and ignore the (bond) that we as people of the human race depend on in general," the BSM will always be needed. Professor (Continued from page 6) this all for?," Painter said she had no fears about her future. But she does question how her accomplishments affect the attitudes others have of her. "I myself do not think I'm very intimidating, but people tell me I'm intimidating. But, they also tell me I'm easy to talk to and I'm accessible. That's really important for black people and people in general to keep in touch," Painter said. Black Ink, located at 108 in the Carolina Union Annex, has set the following deadlines and publication dates for this semester. Deadlines Publications August 21 September 2 September 4 September 16 September 18 September 30 October 2 October 14 October 16 October 28 October 30 November 10 November 27 (tentative) i December 1 (tentative) Strokes," role. Coleman is a 10-year-old orphan living in a train station in Chicago. Not suprisingly, Coleman loves both model trains and Chicago. These two aren't the only movies with black performers but the remaining list is even less impressive. Sammy Davis co-stars in the comedy car crash "Cannonball Run." And for some reason on the movie ad while the performers flash a smile, Davis greets us with an expression of surprise. Gregory Hines in "History of the World Part I", soccer star Pele in "Victory" and Isaac Hayes in "Escape From New York" are among some black performers in current movies. Even the "Empire Strikes Back" with Billy Dee Williams was re-released from last summer. But blacks in these movies and others this summer have secondary and other minor roles to whites — basically. That was one conclusion reached by two film critics from two Chicago new'spapers v>ho host the PBS television series "Sneak Previews" of blacks in current movies. Greed was another conclusion reached on a special edition of the show broadcast earlier this year called "The Death of the Black Film". Filmmakers want to make movies on a specular level which reap large profits. Since films starring blacks reach a limited market they make less money. The critics suggested several other reasons why movies starring blacks have become less popular and are now few and farbetween. The critics gave sound explanations and offered interesting insight to the problem of blacks starring in Hollywood feature films. And they join the market that is interested in and desires to see such films. ■. -i:*’ Students visit churches CHERYL ANDERSON Fellowship Editor Although most of the campus fellowships hold Sunday morning services, many black students visit churches in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Area clergyman interviewed expressed concern about the subject and offered varying opinions. The Rev. Philip Cousins, of St. Paul AME Church, said during the fall and spring semesters, 20-50 students attend the services. About 15-20 students attend each Sunday during the summer sessions. Cousins feels that more public relations and publicity would probably'attract more*”’ students. The church needs to expand its program to appeal to students, he said. "Last year, we didn't offer services to students," Cousins said. Also, Cousins thinks that more students may attend if they knew he was a UNC graduate. He admitted he would like more undergraduates to attend his services. The Rev. J.R. Manley, of First Baptist Church, said he receives a fair attendance from students of (tie University. "I think that the students find that we strive to have a fellowship of all ages and that they're welcome," Manley said. The congregation contains a variety of people, he said. Manley said he would like to discover what kind of ministry the church can offer that will attract more students. One reason the church does not have more student members Manley said is "we're seeing through our own eyes and not others." Second Baptist Church, where the Rev. J.A. Brown pastors, receives about five or six visiting students each Sunday. The church is small and usually people like to "follow-' the crowd," Brown said. (Lhristtan jFeUnUtship INVITES YOU TO SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M. UPENDO LOUNGE — CHASE HALL
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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Aug. 18, 1981, edition 1
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