Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Jan. 27, 1983, edition 1 / Page 2
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Special Issue Confrontation Retains Impact The Guilfordian January 27. 1983 Clifford Poirot, Jr Special Writer "88 Seconds in Greensboro" is a hard-hitting, emotive documen tary on the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of five Communist Workers Party members, with footage of the November 3, 1979 shootout. The film reveals Klan and Nazi party members disembarking from cars, and after a short scuffle, opening fire on demonstrators, with frightening military preci sion. In all, five were killed and thirteen wounded. The footage is juxtaposed with an ongoing inter view with Ed Dawson, an ex convict who was coerced by the FBI to remain in the Klan as their informant, and later paid by the Greensboro Police for informing them of Klan activities. Through the interview, we learn that Dawson did not simply play the role of Klansman, but was the main catalyst behind the shootout. With the appearance of CWP posters announcing a "Death to the Klan" rally, Dawson designs a poster for the Klan which issues a warning the rally participants and includes a picture of a lynching. It is Dawson who is present at Klan organizational meetings and, purportedly, urges Klansmen to bring weapons (a charge he denies). It is Dawson who obtains a copy of the parade permit and time of the scheduled march. Finally, it is Dawson who organizes and leads the caravan down Everitt and Carver towards the rally and shouts at a demonstrator, "You communist son of a bitch, you asked for the Klan and you got them." The en suing tragedy is well known. However, we find that Dawson repeatedly attempts to contact his police superiors and warn them of possible violence. The caravan is trailed into town by police. We see actual police photographs of the caravan; one half-hour before the march, police tactical units are given permission to go to lunch. Addi tionally, we learn that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had infiltrated the Nazi party just prior to the shootings. Curiously, the FBI had also been investigating CWP members simultaneously. The picture that emerges from this one of police negligence, rather than direct complicity in the killings. Yet this assertion is itself important, since it points to the police sharing at least part of the blame for what happened. Unfortunately, there is a tenden cy to blame the victims as being partially responsible. A tense and emotion-filled anti-Klan rally sets the scene to the shootout. This early confrontation between CWP and Klan takes place two months prior to the Greensboro rally in China Grove. Pictures of this rally show anti-Klan demonstrators with sticks shouting "Death to the Klan" while they burn a Confederate flag; the Klan holds automatic weapons. This rally, some say, provoked the Klan to murder the CWP members. "88 Seconds" concludes that the dead were not innocent victims. Herein lies the shortcoming of this documentary. It fails to recognize that the Klan is by its very purpose a terrorist organization. Action of the Weather underground in the 60's pale in comparison to the 100 years and more of Klan rape, murder, and bombings. The CWP on the other hand "are acting within their constitu tional rights," notes Greensboro Justice Fund attorney Gail Kor tkin. "They have used lawsuits, picketing...They want to educate the people." Ms. Korotkin also points out that prior to the shootings no CWP member had been convicted of violent of fenses. In the final analysis, "88 Seconds in Greensboro" is an ex cellent piece of work insofar as it exposes the role of Ed Dawson, and raises questions concerning the line between informant and provocateur. It is also to be prais ed for its assertion of the right of the CWP and similar groups, however unpopular, to organize without fear. Currently community as well as national groups are pressing for an indepenent prosecutor to lead the grand-jury probe into the deaths and the events surroun ding them. It is important to note that many who are not associated with the CWP feel there is evidence warranting rigorous and objective investigation of governmental involvement in the killings. The Greensboro Police, under civil suit by the survivors, did not comment on "88 Seconds" which has offered time in the future when they or other bran ches of government may decide to state their position on the ques tions and assertions which make this documentary unforgettable. Quaker Notes Proclamations Offered The Guilfordian is now accep ting advertising to be included in the remaining five editions. Business may contact John Roberts, Advertising Editor, at 292-5511 ext. 306 for rates and fur ther information. Free Classified Ads As an introductory offer, the Guilfordian will publish-free student, faculty, staff and club classified ads in the February 4th issue. Ads must be 15 words or less, typed and be received by the Guilfordian by January 31st. Classified ads will also be printed for the remainder of the year at a cost of $2.50 per/30 words for Guilford students, $3.50 for business and others. Future publication dates are available at the Information Desk in Founders, and deadlines. Use the ads to sell, buy, find rides or express your pent-up emotions for that certain so meone. (Obviously Profane ads will be rejected.) This is your service-use it! Ohmm The Biofeedback clinic is ready to help you relax! Any student, faculty, ad ministrator, or any other can learn to control such physiological functions as muscle tension, skin temperature, and brain waves. Developing a deeper awareness of how your body works may lead to a lower ing of daily stress and this in turn Where's Your Unicorn? by David Nash Features Editor One night I was near the woods watching the sunset and trying to reduce school pressure. I heard a hushed movement in the bushes behind me and scampered around the nearest protecting tree. I immediately saw a unicorn of shimmering white. (Believe me, I know a unicorn when I see one.) Surprised so completely that I left my tree, 1 found myself bathed in the stare of the luminescent animal. "Why are you here?" I stammered. She spoke as a song, "I'm here because you're here, or maybe you're here because I'm here. I suppose we depend on each other." "How can I depend on something which is not even sup posed to exist?" "Because you are human. If you were an animal, you'd count on the warmth of the sun, the nourishment of water, and the shelter of the trees. But you are can promote a healthier lifestyle. The clinic is located in King 224 and managed by Kathy Luther, Burrus Ruda, Kris Beller, and Rod Smith. Contact them during clinic hours if you have any ques tions concerning biofeedback or call Jackie Ludel at ext. 210. The biofeedback clinic hours are as follows: Monday & Tuesday 9a.m.-2 p.m. 6p.m.-Bp.m. Wednesday 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Tonight's the Night Leon Bates, one of the nation's leading black pianists, will return to Guilford College tonight, January 27 at 8:15 p.m. in Stern berger Auditorium. In his con cert, Bates will perform works by Schubert, Ravel, Walker and Rachmaninoff. Bates began his formal study of the piano at age six and has won numerous awards and competitions. He has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Don't miss this ex citing performance. Admission is free to Guilford students and staff, $4 for adults, $3 for students/senior citizens. Dance fever DANCE, DANCE, DANCE: On Saturday, January 29 from 9:00 p.m.-l:00 a.m. the Third Annual Presidential Ball with Scott Adair's orchestra will be held in Sternberger Auditorium. Semi formal. No admission charge. human; you look beyond these tangible certainties that dictate an animal's life for other things to guide your own life. You flee the routine, the normalcy of an animal's life. Go ahead--ask your friends why they do things and they say, 'Just for a change.' " "I still don't see why I'm here." "I am what can't be seen or felt-the ethereal. Animals don't need me because they are con tent. But humans are never satisfied, always thinking and ex perimenting. So another world was made for you with elves, cen taurs, and many others. And me, too. We exist to help humans live above daily drudgery and ready made routine." "But how do I need you?" "Without me, you would have left the world of the animals~a world much too dull for people. Some forget me and are con sidered living only by the minimal electronic activity of their brain." Saying, "Please remember me," she backed away from me, fearful of my future but faithful to hope and imagination. Campus Mouie February 3. TO SIR, WITH LOVE. Color, 1967. A young engineer (Sidney Poitier) teaching in a rough vocational school in London finally wins the respect and love of his unruly and uncooperative students. Colloquium Series On Wednesday, February 2, at 3:45 p.m. in the Gallery of Founders Hall, Sarah Malino will deliver the second of the talks in the Faculty Colloquium series. Her topic is Textiles, Ticklers, and Pac-Man: The Process of In dustrialization in the United States. The public is invited to at tend. Refreshments will be serv ed. The third talk in the series will be February 9, 1983, and two speakers will be featured. Dorothy Borei will speak on in dustrialization in Japan, and Martha Cooley on industrializa tion in Russia and the Soviet Union. The place and time will be the same. Women's Work The Women's Center of Guilford College is preparing for Womansprouts 1983. All women, students, faculty and staff are in vited to submit works of poetry, prose and art. Please send all contributions to Gingi Farr (Mary Hobbs No. 38), Wendy Barkley (Box 17041) or the Women's Center in Founders Basement. Deadline is February 15.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Jan. 27, 1983, edition 1
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