Newspaper of the University of Southern California
Scholar calls for multicultural history
Takaki draws enthusiastic response, says new curriculum is a positive step
March 24,1995 Vol. CXXIV, No. 42
Headlines
Technology and music explode
The world of techno has grown to encompass not only old hands like Moby but sex symbols like Trad Lords as cybersex, digital instruments and tribal rhythms merge.
Features, page 6
Parker expected to get hoops job
Charlie Parker, the interim coach of the USC men's basketball team, should be named the permanent head coach at a press conference today at Heritage Hall, ending a long wait. Sports, page 12
AIDS dilemma: not just for gays
Gay men have become inextricably associated with AIDS and the HIV virus. Unfortunately, Nik Trendowski writes, while heterosexuals are now in graver danger, the gay media has taken no effort to change that misconception.
Viewpoint, page 4
F.Y.I.
Evening of Soul begins tonight
The Department of Black Students presents its 22nd annual production of "Evening of Soul" tonight through Sunday at Bing Theater.
This year's musical production is titled "A Circle of Life." Performances on Friday and Saturday are at
7	p.m. Matinees are at 1 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m Sunday. Tickets are $7 for the general public and $5 for students at the Ticket Office.
•	e •
"Careers 2000: How Do You Get There From Here?" is the title of Saturday's career conference for professional communicators at the Annenberg School of Communications. The event, presented by Women in Communications,
Inc., will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with check-in at
8	a.m. and the opening address at 8:45 a.m. in Annenberg Auditorium. Admission at the door is $55 for students.
By Laura Margoni
Staff Writer
To Ronald Takaki, a professor of ethnic studies at UC Berkeley, you don't have to be in a history department to be a historian, but you should be willing to examine the past with a multicultural perspective.
This theme formed the basis for Takaki's lecture Wednesday night in Annenberg Auditorium.
Takaki, an award-winning author who was recently elected to the prestigious Society of American Historians, introduced the topic of multiculturalism by discussing Berkeley's ethnic studies department and the "American Cultures" requirement for graduation, which he was instrumental in implementing.
Takaki said the programs reflected the students' and facul-
ty's desire "to make the university a place (in which) they could all come together to study the intellectual and social universe."
"It was recognized that a multicultural curriculum would enable us to reach a more accurate understanding of our culture," Takaki said, "We wanted students not just to leam about their own groups, but about one another."
Takaki said the expansive curriculum and multicultural requirements were created to offer students "a different mirror,"
another way to see not only themselves, but their history as well. In Takaki's opinion, many people overlook the importance of race and its effect on history. They never take into account the multicultural perspective on why things happen.
"Stereotypes can be pernicious," Takaki said. "They can influence the making of public policies."
To illustrate his point, Takaki cited the bombing of Hiroshima, an example from his last book, A Different Mirror: A History of Mul-(See Takaki, page 3)
Gays, bis, lesbians to explore frontiers
By Sara K. Goo
Staff Writer
To increase academic recognition of gay and lesbian studies, over 250 graduate students and faculty from across the United States and Canada gathered on campus Thursday for the beginning of a four-day conference titled "Queer Frontiers."
USC is hosting the fifth annual Graduate Student Conference of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Studies, which includes daylong events of interdisdplinary discussion sessions, keynote speakers? and entertainment.
Keynote speakers Cherrie Moraga, Dr. George Chauncey, Dr. Sue-Ellen Case, and John Rechy will add to the evening activities.
"It will be a provocative and informative experience," said Marty Dupuis, co-chairman of the conference. "The exchange of ideas would help develop research, it's a good way to network, and there's a social element as well."
Many partidpants were exdt- • ed about the conference because it positions USC as a leader in the growing trend to include gay and lesbian studies in academic research at universities.
"The (Gay, Lesbian, and Bi Assembly) task force is investigating the possibility of setting up an organized research unit," said Walter Williams, member of the program committee and faculty advisor of the GLB Graduate Student Network.
"It's a timely event for USC, Ss it now holds the world's largest archival of library materials on gay and lesbian research," said Dr. Stanley Harris, university psychiatrist and co-chairman of one of the sessions on organizing staff support for gay, lesbian and bi student groups.
Dupuis said the conference and the archives' move to USC were actually coinddental.
"The two events really weren't related. But what I think it does show is the growing interest in gay and lesbian stud-
(See Conference, page 2)
Where everybody knows your name
Troy Wttt / Dally Trojan
Tommy’s Place, a revamped version of the game room In the Topping Student Center basement, opened Thursday night to a crowd enjoying pool tables and video gsmes. The fun continues today.
Magazine entertains and informs with focus on African Americans
By Vicky Nave
Staff Writer
From the background of Black History Month to restaurant reviews and poetry, "Academic Horizons" is the first and only publication for the African-American Trojan.
The magazine has a variety of topics and caters to all students, but focuses on African-American students. The publication's goal is to provide quality artides on entertainment and education, and information about what is happening at USC, said Muriel Lynn Jones, editor of "Academic Horizons."
The project started about five years ago as a newsletter through the Department for Black Students. The magazine began as an informational newsletter for communication purposes, Jones said.
"It was geared toward new students and proteges," she said.
The newsletter was recently transformed into a magazine and is published once each semester, inducing a special edition that came out last week.
The magazine's current spedal edition has articles ranging from book reviews to Jones' interview with rapper M.C. Lyte, titled "Into The Lyte".
Jones traces Lyte's life from her birth in Brooklyn to her inspirations for songwriting. "I like for my rhymes to be very vivid," Lyte said. "When you hear them you can actually step through exadly what I'm saying."
The magazine is a great opportunity to showcase your writing skills and help other students get information, said Jeff Love, a USC graduate and writer for "Academic Horizons".
"It's really the brain child of Muriel Jones," Love said. "She went all out."
The magazine has received positive responses from students and faculty, Jones said. Students can find a copy of "Academic Horizons" at the Department for Black Students in Student Union 415.
"The magazine brings a new awareness of the African-American community to USC," said Aristotle Zeiger, a junior majoring in communications. "It is very important to continue to build on every ethnic group on this campus."
The "Academic Horizons" staff is seeking students to be a part of their magazine. Any students who enjoy writing, photography, copy editing or interviewing can stop by the Department for Black Students.