$ouljah proposes ';solutions to society by Julie Robinson Daily Staff Reporter Some students who attended Sister Souljah's lecture in Hale Auditorium last night might have come expecting "an irate, irrational, young black female rapper with no information at all." But Souljah's lecture proved to con- tain plenty of information. She discussed problems in Ameri- can society, specifically those plaguing the African American community. She encouraged audience members to integrate her words into their per- sonal lives. With an imitation of Sally Struthers holding a baby, Souljah told the audi- ence, "I'm talking to you if you're a 3lack African person, in African soci- ety T equals 'we' and we're all con- nected." Souljah pointed out the difference between American and African society. She criticized students who are con- fused, promiscuous, complacent and disrespectful. "How can he respect you when you givehim the mostprecious partof your- self without knowing him?" she asked female audience members. She added, "Young brothers think thattobe amanis tobe a gangster. They determine manhood by how many Black women they can destroy and by how much property they can obtain by any means necessary" She said this chaos "comes from a lack of understanding ofhow acommu- nity should be organized." Her speech did not merely point out problems. Souljah detailed her solu- tions rationally - as if she has become used to defending and explaining her statements on a daily basis. "It is easy for me to articulate prob- lems as it is for most. Wemust each take responsibility forourindividualselves," she said. "In educating yourself you must know who you are, but also what it means." Souljah also encouraged students to becomeentrepreneurs, supplementtheir educations with an extensive list of books by African American authors, and reconsider marriage to support the crumbling Black family. Applause and choruses of "rnmm- hmms" broke out as Souljah deconstructed the theory of reverse rac- ism. 'There is no such thing as reverse racism," she said. "If there was, we would have to do to them what they have done to us." The Michigan Daily -Wednesday, March 31, 1993 -Page 3 Mayoral forum touches student, Greek concerns The teary-eyed DeBoer cou ple answers questions at a press conferenc e yesterd ay at the Campus Inn after a judg e denied them custody of their two-year-old adopted daughter. Court awards custody of chfld tobiologP i.al aents by Jonathan Berndt Daily City Reporter The candidates came to campus for the first annual Mayoral Forum spon- sored by the Greek system and gave their own lectures on political science, philosophy, economics and physics. Attendance floated around 20 all night, about average for some lectures, but organizers Sandy Sussman of the Interfraternity CouncilandValWildeof the Panhellenic Association (Panhel) said they would share their notes with other students through regular weekly meetings. Sussman and Wilde are both public relations chairs. "I'm a little displeased," Sussman said. 'There weren't as many people here as we thought (would be)." The candidates continued with their basic campaign thoughts. Mayor Liz Brater mentioned many of the task forces she has created to help solve problems including student cel- ebrations, conflicts with downtown merchants, and transportation and park- ing. "The urban atmosphere and close- ness to the University draws people in and brings conflicting lifestyles," she said, adding that communication be- tween residents, students, police and theadministrationwouldhelpforgenew solutions to the recurring problems. Paul Jensen, the Tisch Party candi- date, said the future was his focus. "We're living in very fast-moving times," he said. "Very complex prob- lems are going to be the focus. I'm lookingtobringAnn Arborintothe21st Century." Jensen said he is interested in "fos- tering an ongoing, working relationship with the University." Emily Salvette, the Libertarian can- didate, made her platform clear. "It is absolutely essential that all people are treated with the same respect for their rights to life and property," she said. Republican challenger Ingrid Sheldon said her philosophy is basedon. neighborhoods and communicationbe- tween all parties. "Part of the responsibility of being a resident in Ann Arbor is you also a neighbor," she said. Sheldon praised the Greek system for its philanthropic efforts and "giving back to the commu- nity." Brater, in response to a question about bicycle safety in the city, talked about how potholes form - "It's im- plosion basically" -and the city's pro- gram to fill them. Overall the Greek representatives thought the evening went well. "I think it was very worthwhile," said Panhel President Joey Faust. "It gave students an opportunity to ask questions." Ann Arbor couple plans to appeal case to Michigan or U.S. Supreme Court by Will McCahill Daily Crime Reporter The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled yesterday against Jan and RobertaDeBoer, theAnnArbor couple fighting to maintain custody of the two-year-old girl they have raised since she was three weeks old. The court decided that a Washtenaw County judge acted inap- propriately in assuming jurisdiction over the case in January. The ruling supported prior deci- sions made by courts in the biological parents' home state of Iowa. Daniel and Cara Schmidt have been fighting toregain theirbiologicaldaughtersince she was three weeks old, first in Iowa courts and now in Michigan. In a press conference at the Cam- pus Inn yesterday afternoon, Roberta DeBoer chastised the media for ac- costing the couple at their home ear- lier in the day. She likened the court ruling to the death of the child. "Our daughter is dying," she said angrily. "If you all want to be invited to the funeral you're welcome to it." Neither of theDeBoers could hold back their tears as they answered ques- tions about the child and the case. Roberta DeBoer was too overcome with emotion toanswer aquestion about what she would tell the girl - who the DeBoers have named Jessica - about the possible change in custody. "She is so bonded and attached to us (that) there is such a great need for Jessica to be around us," Jan DeBoer said. The DeBoers have been granted 21 daysto turn thegirlover to the Schmidts. They plan to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. "They are not thinking about run- ning away from this," said Suellyn Scamecchia, the assistant University law professor who is representing the DeBoers. Scarnecchia said the decision of the court, whilenotunexpected, was still an incredible blow to the couple. She said the courts need to start considering the rights of the child as opposed to the rights of the adults in- volved. She said yesterday's decision was a disappointment to child advo- cates across the country. She added the Michigan Supreme Courtis not obligated to hear the appeal, in which case the only remaining option would be to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. She said she is petitioning Judge WilliamAger-theWashtenaw County Circuit Court designated to enforce yesterday's decision - to extend the amount of time the DeBoers have to exercise their legal options. Scarnecchia said the DeBoers would bemore likely to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if Ager grants the extended stay. She added the Schmidts have asked to visit the girl during each of the next three weekends, but said the DeBoers have not made a decision on the re- quest. Cara Schmidt told an Iowa televi- sion station yesterday: "We'rejustvery, very thankful to God that she's finally going to be able to come home." John Brent, one of the Schmidts' attorneys in Michigan, said he was happy with the court's decision and that the couple is preparing to make the transfer of custody "as painless and ... as sensitively as possible." He added he doubted the Michigan Supreme Court would agree to hear the case because of the legal precedent barring a third party, such as the DeBoers, from seeking custody of an- other couple's child. Both DeBoers said they would not try to remain part of Jessica's life if they ultimately were forced to turn her over to the Schmidts. Jan DeBoer said despite the pain that outcome would bring, he would not want to risk emotionally harming the girl any more than has been done. "In our minds, Jessica will always be our daughter," he said. "We wish that the biological par- ents would have mercy on her," Scarnecchia said. Scarnecchiaconfinned reports that the DeBoers are negotiating with Hol- lywoodagents and television networks to sell their rights to the story. However, she denied a report that the bidding had exceeded $500,000. - The Associated Press contributed to this report If you have a strong piano background, you are invited to audition to learn to play the BELLS in Burton Tower For Spring, Summer and Fall terms Call for an appointment 764-2539 Pran reveals horror of Khmer Rouge by Sarah Kiino Daily Staff Reporter Atlast, freedom seemed tobewithin his grasp. Suddenly, a land mine ex- ploded, immediately killing two ofDith Pran's companions. Pran was slightly injured. This brush with death only days before his escape from Cambodia to Thailand in 1979 was not Pran's first. Pran, a Cambodian photojournalist now living in the United States, spoke last night in an address marking the opening night of Asian Pacific Heritage Month. Pran, who is the subject of the movie 'The Killing Fields," spoke about his harrowing experiences living in Cam- bodia under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime during its 1975-79 "reign of terror." "People could not complain, pro- test, or ask any questions," he said. "You were your own responsibility for your own fate." The Khmer Rouge held Pran, along with three Western journalists, for ex- ecution after it took control of Cambo- dia in 1975. Pran persuaded the regime to re- lease the foreigners, but he was forced to endure four years of torture and star- vation in the forced labor camps, or "killing fields" of the regime. "You had to remember you were in the cage with the tiger - there was no way out." Although Pran survived the Came bodian holocaust, his father, three broth- ers, and a sister did not. "The thing that saved my life was praying, pretending to be stupid and telling the Khmer Rouge I was a taxi driver," he said. "You could not cry or show fear.... If you showed pain, you were considered a traitor." Although the Khmer Rouge is no longer in power, the Cambodian peace is still in fragments, Pran said. He fears after the United Nations- supervised elections in May, the 20,000 member United Nations peacekeeping force will leave Cambodia, with chaos ensuing. He said, "We believe strongly thatin order to keep a holocaust from happen- ing again, those responsible have to be brought to justice." Correction Republican City Council candidate for the 2nd Ward Jane Lumm has no plans to attend the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in New Orleans. She will be in Ann Arbor this weekend. This was incorrectly reported in yesterday's Daily. Student groups Q AIESEC, meeting, Business Ad- ministration Building, Room 1276,6p.m. Hindu Students Council, Reli- gious Parallels with Hinduism, MLB, Room B135, 8p.m. Q Hillel, Silence=Death, movie, 6:30 p.m.; Reform Havurah Freedom Seder, 6:30 p.m. Q Newman Catholic Student Fel- lowship Association, Commu- nal Penance Service, St. Mary Student Parish, 331 Thompson St., 7 p.m. U Social Group for Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals, meeting, East Quad, checkroom at front desk, 9 p.m. U Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club, practice, beginners welcome, CCRB, Martial Arts Room, 8:30- 9:30 p.m. U TaeKwonDo Club, regular work- out, CCRB, Room 2275,7-8:30 p.m. U Taiwanese American Students for Awareness, City of Sadness, last hour of movie, East Quad, check at front desk for room, 9 p.m. Q Time and Relative Dimensions in Ann Arbor, meeting, Mason Hall, Room 2439, 8 p.m. Q Undergraduate Philosophy Club, Building, Wrestling Room G21, 7:30-9 p.m. Room, 8 p.m. Q U-M Students of Objectivism, business meeting, MLB, Room B119 ,7 p.m. Events Q Allocation for Estimation, lecture, Mason Hall, Room 451,4 p.m.; coffee and cookies, Mason Hall, Room 1443, 3:30 p.m. Q ArtVideo, "The Chandler Pohrt Collection," and "Fritz Scholder," Art Museum, AV Room, 12:10 p.m. Q Avian Brain Chimeras: Neural Transplants for the Study of Species Behavioral Differences, lecture, Medical Science Build- ing II, Room 5732, 12 p.m. Q The Clay Artistry of MaiJarmut and Other Baltic Artists, CREES lecture, School of Art, Room 2216-19,4 p.m. Q Haiti Solidarity Group, Rice and Beans Dinner, discussion of up- coming observer delegation to Haiti, Guild House, 802 Monroe} SL, 6 p.m. Q Human Rights in Russia Before and After the August Coup, CREES Brown BagLecture,Lane Hall, Commons Room, 12 p.m. U IdentificationofEnergeticHeavy 8-10 p.m. Q Protest of Diag Policy, Diag, 12-1 p.m. Q Sexual Assault and People with Disabilities, workshop, South Quad, African-American Lounge, 7 p.m. Student services U Consultation for Student Lead- ers and Student Organizations, speak with peer and professional consultants regarding leadership and organizational development, SODC, Michigan Union, Room 2202, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Q ECB Student Writing Center, Angell Hall Computing Center, 7-11 p.m. U Northwalk Safety Walking Ser- vice, Bursley Hall, 763-9255, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Q Peer Counseling, U-M Counsel- ing Services, 764-8433,7 p.m.-8 a.m. Q Psychology Undergraduate Peer Advising, Department of Psy- chology, West Quad, Room K210, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Q Safewalk Safety Walking Service, UGLi, lobby, 936-1000, 8 p.m.- 1:30 a.m. U Safewalk Safety Walking Ser- vice-AngellHall, Computing - - "nim n nJn i " 0COXIES Spring into Mrs. Peabody; Come in for a Muffin or Cookie baked with LO Now serving Clearly Canadian sparkling wate Great for a meal or just a snack? 715 N. 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