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NEWS Thursday-Novernher 5, 1998 - Page 3 Racial incident members, and the victims. with," Wright said. "1 think we, as One of the slurs discovered on Continued from page I a community, have dealt with it Monday was on the door of first- Jr., saying that he hoped WMC year student Marcus Helton. He extremely well." He said that be- would soon be "working together said he discovered the message cause of incidents like this one, with tough minds and a tender when he returned from his morn- awareness of racial issues grows. heart." ing class, and immediately reponed Part of the plan is already in Wright also spoke at the vigil, it to Campus Safety. According to action, in the form of three petitions the campus. now circulating where he commended everyone Helton, Campus Safety officers petitions were proposed after The the who attended the rally, and said took pictures, then erased it. candlelight vigil, and Byrd and a that he believes the cure for the The investigation officially "disease and sickness of racism" ended on Monday, after Carter con- group of students set up a table is Showing that no one on the fessed. . outside Glar for students to stop by and sign. WMC campus will tolerate it. In the wake of the episode, the "We are not apathetic and in- college community is now attempt- The first petition calls for a active," said Eric Byrd of the mu- ing to make sense of what hap- mandatory freshman seminar very sic department, also a WMC alum- pened, and discussion of the similar to the Liberation Move- nus. He also noted that he was school's racial climate is campus- ments course now offered as a "outraged" at the instant appear- wide. The candlelight vigil held on , 3000-level religion class. It is a ance of news media for negative Wednesday, October 28 has been Musical group Sang Melay'sfolk and inspirational numbers added some study of race and gender, social incidents such as this one, when the most public response so far. poignant entertainment to the vigil. class, and minorities and the op- many of the positive things the The vigil occurred at sundown if it doesn't, we need to do more pressed. Although Dean Sayre is He school does never receive media in Memorial Plaza, which was work," said SGA President Aaron Chambers commended President unsure whether the seminar will for being strong and dili- attention. "crowded with members from all Corbett. He also noted the wide va- ever become mandatory, he said After the scheduled speakers, areas of the community, including riety of people, and relaxed mood gent in his work toward racial di- that it is ultimately the faculty's the and also said that hiring a versity, and he "understand[s] decision of the event. replacement for Multicultural Di- sentiment." "When I think back to one week ago, I was Although Dean Sayre said that rector James Felton is another step Another proposal was brought nothing concrete came out of the in the right direction. by John off-campus, forth down at Rouzer Hall looking at racial event, he acknowledged that "si- Before the vigil, Byrd met with Springer, from director of Interfaith Ac- graffiti. I was really shocked." lence is a deadly response" to epi- sodes of racial intolerance. He said that when something The main point is not how it happens, but Dean of Student Affairs Philip Sayre like the vandalism incident hap- rather how it is dealt with. I think we, as a pens, no matter what the outcome the audience was given an oppor- students, faculty, administration, of the investigation, it sparks ques- community, have dealt with it extremely tunity to put down their candles families, Westminster residents, tions, and communication is nec- and speak their minds at an open and a number of news crews. essary in order to take charge. well." mic session. Perhaps the most per- "lfthere is strength in numbers, "This has been a very difficult tinent comment of the evening was we are strong tonight," declared Dr. ordeal," said Sayre. "When I think BSU President Kash Wright made by Veronica Esevez, who Henry Reif, to start the vigil. His back to one week ago, I was down called for students to step out of speech was followed by a perfor- at Rouzer Hall looking at racial of Rev. consisting Lan- their comfort zone in order to fight mance by the band Sang Melay, an graffiti. I was really shocked." He a panel Dean of Admissions Marty tion for Racial Justice in Baltimore. caster, racism, because "discomfort is appropriately titled group whose added that he didn't believe there His program devises mixed-race. necessary for enlightenment." name means "Mixed Blood." would be another incident. O'Connell, Artist in Residence and study circles, and would formulate The vigil gave WMC a chance After the performance, there When asked what the college Common Ground Director Walt a similar program for WMC. to publicly show solidarity, but the were more speeches by Rev. Mark has done to improve the racial cli- Michael, and a small group of stu- The final petition is for a man- campus as a whole is still split as Lancaster, Provost Joan Develin mate, Byrd said that if the question dents to discuss what would take datory weekly community gather- to whether it was enough. Coley, and Dr. Robert Chambers. needs to be asked, then they're ei- place at the event. ing. The idea was proposed by Walt "This is a healthy start to set a He quoted Dr. Martin Luther King ther taking actions secretly, or do- They concluded with a goal of Michael, and has happened before tone [of tolerance] on campus, and ing nothing at all. presenting the campus with a plan at WMC but not for 30 years. These and racial intolerance, for fighting "The crucial time is now," Byrd putting a positive spin on the most meetings not only happen in times said. "Something has happened, recent episode. They called for the of crisis. Byrd said that if these and we'tt see if [the college] acts." college to look past the actions of meetings were still occurring, they He said the college is taking steps one individual and look toward the could have possibly squelched the rumors circulat- that are currently to bridge the chasm between racial future. ing over the most recent incident. groups at WMC, but the process "The main point is not how it Additional reporting by has been slow. happens, but rather how it is dealt Michael Stokes "The Roar of the Greasepaint" makes WMC theater absurd The Hill's next student theatre Mainstage. Broadway songs, including "Who production is an absurd musical. "It is not your everyday musi- Can I Turn To (When Nobody But that's okay. That's exactly what cal after which everyone leaves the Needs Me)?" which became a pop it is supposed to be. theatre with a smile," Burgess said. hit for Tony Bennett and also was The Roar of she Greasepaint, "It makes you think." recorded by Dusty Springfield, the Smell of the Crowd, is one of The play revolves around a Sammy Davis Jr. and Donny the many plays written during game that is a metaphor on the Osmond. Another hummable tune theatre's experimental phase of the games played in life. The entire set is Sir's "A Wonderful Day Like 1960s and early '70s, director Jean is a large gameboard. Today." Burgess said. The main character Cocky, The show also features WMC Although officially labeled a played by senior Ryan Keough, is students Erin Owen, Julie Keough, concept musical, it is written in the forced to play without really under- Ryan Ewing, Elton Keith, Krissy style of "the theatre of the absurd," standing the rules of the game. Nichols, Lori Schenck, Joy Tho- even though most "absurd" plays He is led through the move- mas, Megan Townsend, and Buddy were deep, thought-provoking dra- ments by the game's referee Sir, Stonesifer. Also, senior Jimmy . mas like Waiting For Godot, she played by senior Mark Resch. Reddan is the production's musi- continued. The WMC production is played cal director. The play was written by out on a "raked" or inclined stage Admission is $8 for adults, $5 awardwinners Anthony Newley so that audience members can see for students, seniors and WMC and Leslie Bricusse who also col- Cocky and Sir travel to the various community members. For more laborated on Stop the World I Want spaces on the gameboard. information call the WMC Box to GetOJf. However strange and unusual, Office at (410) 857-2448. President Chambers called the candlelight vigil, held on Wednesday, It will be presented at 8 p.m. on this "theatre of the absurd" piece October 28, a "ceremony of healing." Nov. 13-15, 19-21, at Alumni Hall did produce several well-known Courtesy of Public Information