UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 1, Page 9
September 5, 1991
Racial, Cultural Awareness Week begins Sept. 16

     This fall, the University of Delaware will hold its first
Racial and Cultural Awareness Week, underscoring a commitment to
racial and cultural diversity on campus, according to Vernese
Edghill, assistant dean of students at the Center for Black Culture
and chairperson of the organizing committee. The activities are
designed to attract participation by the entire University
community, including students, faculty and staff.
     The theme of the program, "Branch Out Because We Like the I in
You," emphasizes that the University values diversity, supports
appreciation of each other's differences and encourages everyone to
participate fully in campus life. "We planned the program for early
in the fall semester when new students have arrived on campus to
set the tone for the year," Edghill said.
     The week will begin with a presentation of "Let My People Go,"
based on a poem by James Weldon Johnson. Presented by the Avodah
Dance Ensemble of New York City, the program will begin at 7 p.m.,
Monday, Sept. 16, in the Newark Hall auditorium. The performance
will be free and open to the public.
     Using dance, drama and music, the interpretation of the poem
focuses on common concerns of the black and Jewish communities,
weaving together the history and traditions of both.
     Louis Johnson and JoAnne Tucker collaborated on the
choreography and direction of "Let My People Go," and performances
have been held on several college campuses, including the
universities of Iowa, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, Grinnell
College and Syracuse University.
     Johnson began his career as a ballet dancer with the New York
City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine and Jerome
Robbins, and appeared in Broadway musicals. He was choreographer
for Broadway productions, television and movies, including The Wiz,
starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. He also has mounted
ballets for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the Cincinnati
Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
     Tucker was trained in modern dance at the Juilliard School and
the Martha Graham Studio. With a doctorate in theatre from the
University of Wisconsin, she received a Carnegie Award in dance for
a setting of poems that toured public schools in Pittsburgh. As
artistic director and choreographer of the Avodah Dance Ensemble,
she has created 20 pieces for the troupe, many incorporating Jewish
ritual and dance.
     The dancers in the troupe are Loretta Abbott, Kezia Gleckman
Hayman, Christopher Hayes Hemnans and Elizabeth McPherson.
     Abbott has performed worldwide with dance companies and has
performed in films and on television. She tours with her own solo
program, "Women of Color."
     Hayman, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vassar College, studied
ballet in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., performing with a local ballet
company, and has a BFA in dance from Adelphi College.
     Hemnans is completing his studies at the Juilliard School and
has performed with several dance companies.
     McPherson has a BFA in dance from Juilliard and also studied
dance in Nashville, where she danced in a local ballet company.
     Newman Baker is the drummer for the performance and studied
music at Virginia State University and East Carolina University.
     Dan Pinchas from Long Island, will be the cantor for the
performance.
     Other events during the week will be  showings of videos,
"Racism 101," Tuesday, Sept. 17, and "Rise in Campus Racism" on
Wednesday, Sept. 18. Both presentations, which run approximately 50
minutes, will be shown continuously from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the
Bacchus Room in the Perkins Student Center, the Center for Black
Culture and Smith Hall lobby.
     "Racism 101" will be followed by a panel discussion, based on
the video, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, in 140 Smith Hall.
     "Beyond the Dream, Part 3," a two-hour video presentation,
will be shown on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m.-l p.m. in the
Center for Black Culture and Smith Hall lobby and from noon-2 p.m.
in Bacchus in the Perkins Student Center.
     That evening, a panel discussion with students representing a
variety of racial and cultural backgrounds will be held at 7 p.m.
in 140 Smith Hall. Black, Hispanic, Jewish, gay and lesbian
students among others, will take part in the discussion.
     After the program, University President David Roselle,  will
make a closing address.
     "We are urging everyone to participate and have sent out
invitations and flyers," Edghill said. "The program is meant to
educate the University community about racism on campuses,
proactive measures that can be taken and policies that can be
implemented to counteract racism. The videos present these issues
on a national scale and are designed to create awareness and to be
used as a basis for discussion on individual campuses."
     Others on the Racial and Cultural Awareness Week committee are
James Davis, assistant professor of educational studies; James
Doctson, coordinator of employee services; Ray Eddy, coordinator of
the Student Center; Ruth Kershner, director of Hillel; and Bob
O'Connor, vicar for the campus ministry of St. Thomas Episcopal
Church in Newark.
     The Racial and Cultural Awareness Week is sponsored by the
President's Commission to Promote Racial and Cultural Diversity,
the Cultural Programming Advisory Board, the Center for Black
Culture and the Office of Affirmative Action and Multicultural
Programs.
                                        - Sue Swyers Moncure