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The Behrend Beacon
Glover spreads message of
by Daniel J. Stasiewski
managing editor
Danny Glover's message to Penn State Erie was
loud and clear. Democracy doesn't work if the
citizens don't get involved.
Glover, on Thursday, lectured students and com
munity members on community activism as part
of the Speaker Series. The actor and activist, who
has recently come under attack for his opposition
THE LOGAN WINTERGARDEN SERIES
2003-2004
usic at (Amin
BOHOLA
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY it NOON
Bring your lunch to the Penn State Behrend Wintergarden and enjoy
world-class performances in an informal setting.
ADMISSION IS FREE.
PENNSTATE
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to the war in Iraq, maintained his stance against
the war and also criticized his critics.
"We are bludgeoned with the idea we must wave
the flag," said Glover to an estimated audience of
1,000.
Earlier in the day Glover echoed his comments
at a press conference and went added, "If (patrio
tism) is a pride to dominate and oppress, I'll con
demn it every moment I can."
Glover used the war in Iraq and the recent ap-
1 7 L I
kv,
Friday, February 6, 2004
proval by Congress of the $4OO billion Medicare
prescription drug benefit as examples of apathy
on the part of the American electorate. He said
people need to make the effort to fully learn about
these important issues facing our nation and only
then can this "Democratic experiment" truly suc
ceed.
In addition to espousing his own political view
points, Glover read poems by Langston Hughes
and discuss the work French philosopher Alexis
De Tocqueville's "Democracy in America."
De Tocqueville, a French aristocrat who visited
the new American democratic state in 1831, be
lieved that American democracy was the "end of
privileges preserved for one class."
"America demonstrated the possibility of a gov
ernment ruled by citizens," said Glover, but the
actor emphasized that citizenship doesn't just
mean living somewhere.
"Civic involvement and engagement is not just
one of the options, it is a basic requirement for
citizenship," said Glover.
Glover, who calls himself a "child of the civil
rights movement," also spoke about his grandpar
ents saying, "My grandparents were not born with
the idea of the American Dream." He described
his grandparents as poor farmers, but also as vi
sionaries.
"If they were here today, my grandparents would
be surprised by the unbridled greed contained in
our country," said Glover.
Glover, a strong supporter of Democratic presi
dential candidate Dennis Kucinich, also said that
the country cannot be beaten by the "if you're not
with us, your'e against us mentality."
DATE AUCTION
FROM PAGE ONE
and your chance to unmask your love you can try
again in the fall when the sisters are at it again with
their next date auction.
"I had a great time at the date auction this year,"
said participant Justin Curry GAS 06, "This was
my first date auction and I think it's an excellent
fundraiser to help a great cause. You can really see
Justin Curry & Angela Scesciorka,
news editor
activism
In addition to speaking on community activ
ism, Glover mentioned his work with the
Trans Africa Forum, a nonprofit group that is
dedicated to educating the public on U.S. For
eign policy concerning Africa, the Caribbean and
Latin America.
Glover said he became interested in policy con
cerning Africa in his 20s and has read works of
African writers describing the post-colonial con
cerns of the continent.
While the politically weighted commentary
may not have reached everyone, one student cer
tainly believes Glover's message was relevant to
today's society.
Andrew Chernauskas, EFT 02, specifically ref
erenced Glover's story from last months
Sundance Film Festival. Glover said the film
"Brother to Brother," which follows the story of
a black writer who befriends a gay teenager in a
homeless shelter, is an admirable work that won't
make it in the mainstream film world because
"even the idea of storytelling is not democra
tized."
Chernauskas believed Glover's comments on
the film were especially provoking.
"Just considering the homophobic nature of a
lot of people now and how that is sort of a new
form of racism, (the film) kind of made me think
of that a little differently," said Chernauskas.
Films like "Brother to Brother" and other art
forms, according to Glover, are the perfect ve
hicle for voicing opinion, but whether it's through
art or any other form of community activism
Glover reminded the crowd that when it comes
to democracy, "Neutrality is not an option."
all of the hard work that the sisters put into the event,
and it definitely pays off for them in the end.
"I'd like to thank everyone who came out and
participated this year, it would he great to have more
people come out and help with the auction next
year." said Tatum Cohen, ASA date auction chair,
CAS 04.