Tuesday,January 17, 2006 News 3A Students for PIRGIM refuses to give up ORANGE KRUSHED: CAGERS FALL IN UPSET BID ... SPORTSMONDAY Opinion 5A Views on the Coca- Cola debate Arts 8A Glory Road more than just underdog flick One-hundredfifteen years ofeditorialfreedom www.michikandatly.com Ann Arbor, Michigan Vol. CXVI, No. 55 ®2006 The Michigan Daily Silence breakers Prof: Cosby's wrong Lower-class blacks aren't to blame for their economic blight, UPenn prof says By Mariem Qamruzzaman Daily Staff Reporter According to Michael Dyson, a professor of African American studies at the University of Pennsylvania, lower-class blacks aren't the only ones to blame for their bleak economic situation. In his speech yesterday in Hale Audito- rium, which was part of the MLK sympo- sium, Dyson criticized legendary comedian and leader Bill Cosby for just that mistake. Dyson said Cosby forgets that American society has also contributed to the commu- nity's situation. Instead of only looking at the lower class, Dyson said that Cosby also should have criticized higher-class black Ameri- cans in his speech. "He could've been more critical of the black rich who have often failed in their obligations to create space for those who come behind them," Dyson said. He said other black Americans seem to have See Cosby, page 7A President Ford admitted to hospital Former president and University alum undergoing treatment for pneumonia, but is expected to be released RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) - For- mer President Gerald Ford was undergoing treatment for pneumonia yesterday at the same facility where he was briefly hospital- ized a month ago, his chief of staff said. He was said to be doing well. Ford is an 1935 graduate of the University. Ford, 92, was admitted Saturday to Eisen- hower Medical Center near his home in Rancho Mirage in South- ern California, Penny Circle said. "Based on his age it is prudent for his initial course of treat- ment - IV antibi- otics - to be done at the hospital," Circle told The Associated Press. "Based on his age it his prudent for his initial treatment to be done at the hospital." Penny Circlee Ford's chief of stafi Michael Dyson, a University of Pennsylvania professor, known as a "hip-hop intellectual," speaks at the Business School's Martin Luther King Day lecture at Hale Auditorium yesterday. Dyson's speech was titled "Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has The Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind." One-person skits raise awareness in unique way In MLK symposium's keynote address, actress Anna Deavere Smith finds new ways to illustrate old points By C.C. Song Daily Staff Reporter Actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith told stories that broke the silence at Hill Auditorium yesterday morning. Smith was the keynote speaker of the 19th annual MLK symposium, which is a series of events at the University that honor Martin Luther King and his ideas. Employing a unique style of storytell- ing, Smith addressed issues such as educa- tion and the history of races in the United States. In her stories, she tries to become the people such as an African doctor, white schoolteacher and a black student entering a segregated college. This pursuit led her to Los Angeles short- ly after the 1992 riots, where she spoke with Koreans affected by the events. During the riots, the Korean neighbor- hood was greatly damaged as shops were looted and burned. The often untold story of the people she met came alive through Smith's short dra- mas in which she played all the characters. In one skit, Smith burst into tears while play- ing the role of a Korean woman whose dreams had been demolished by the L.A. riots. "I don't think we realized that Koreans are completely left out from the society," Smith said while in character. "And we are nothing." Smith's character sought justices that were ultimately not granted to the Korean community after the riots. "Is it because we're Koreans? Is it because we don't speak good English?" she cried in a Korean accent. The skit conveyed the social injustices that Koreans experienced in particular when the Korean woman reasoned that they were left out because they "had cars" and "were high taxpayers." Koreans were ignored because the people around them often thought they were better off than other minorities, Smith said. In character, she said she wanted to "be happy, be glad for (blacks)" after two of the four involved policemen were found guilty of brutally beating Rodney King. But she said she couldn't because she had been vic- timized herself. Smith used King as a part of her act in order to contrast the philosophies of the rioters against the philosophy of King. "What about 1992, when they destroyed innocent people?" she asked, still in char- acter. Gena Flynn, the symposium's coordina- tor, said Smith's performance was impres- sive because it incorporated another race besides black and white. "I think that was really key at presenting an identity that we don't hear about," Flynn said. "Very often when you hear about race discussion, it's usually in black and white terms." John Matlock, the director of the Office of Multicultural Initiatives, said that Smith's theatrical performance was a unique way to bring characters alive. "When you have speaker like Smith come in and who can go in character to talk about controversial issues, I think we pay more attention," he said. Ford was expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday or Thursday, she said. "He's doing very well," she said. Hospital spokeswoman Elizabeth Wholi- han referred inquiries to Circle, who said in a statement that there would be no further com- ment until a press release is issued today. Ford was admitted to the hospital Dec. 12 and left the next day. Circle said at the time that Ford had undergone a regularly sched- uled health exam but noted that he also had been battling a bad cold. Asked if the pneumonia was the result of any lingering effects from the cold, Circle said, "I don't think so." Ford suffered two small strokes five years ago and spent about a week in a hospital. He became the nation's oldest living for- mer president after the death of Ronald Rea- gan in 2004. Ford, a Republican from west Michigan, was House minority leader when President Nixon chose him to replace the resigned Spiro Agnew as vice president in 1973. Ford became president on Aug. 9, 1974, when Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal. Both sides of affirmative action fight citing Martin Luther King Jr. FOUR OF SIX Opponents and proponents of ballot initiative alike claim to share King's dream By Justin Miller Daily Staff Reporter Martin Luther King Jr's historical stat- ure has risen to such great heights that he has landed on both sides of the debate over the future of affirmative action. Supporters and opponents of affirma- tive action in Michigan both claim to be advancing King's dream of a country free from racial discrimination. Staking the latest claim to King's legacy was U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn). Dingell addressed 50 students in the Michi- gan League yesterday about a proposal on November's ballot that, if approved, would outlaw some affirmative action programs in Michigan. Dingell opposes the initiative. Dingell, currently the longest-serving member of Congress, was elected to the House 50 years ago when King was boy- cotting buses in Alabama. Dingell said he and others were follow- ing the unfinished path King blazed to a society of justice for all with their opposi- tion to the ballot proposal. Dingell attacked Ward Connerly, found- er of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which sponsors the ballot proposal, and his colleagues as a group of "troublemakers" who have wrongly wrapped themselves in King's legacy. Connerly and Dingell agree that discrim- ination on the basis of race, gender, color, ethnicity and national origin is wrong, but fundamentally disagree on what constitutes discrimination. Connerly and his supporters claim affirmative action is a race-based prefer- ence that should be outlawed because it perpetuates racial discrimination, which they say contradicts King's dream of a colorblind society. Connerly started his national campaign against affirmative action by launching the American Civil Rights Institute on Martin Luther King Day in 1998. The State Board of Canvassers will vote on proposed language for the Michi- gan ballot initiative Friday. The proposal asks voters if they want to "ban public institutions from using affirma- tive action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or See DINGELL, page 7A TOMMASO GOMEZ/Daily Take 6, an a capella group, performs at Hill Auditorium for Martin Luther King Day yesterday. Young engin alum succumbs to Hodgkin's Superstar Friendship To Michigan freshman Jack Johnson, Pitts- burgh Penguins 2003 grad was a member of gospel choir, National Society of Black Engineers and mentorino- nroprrnm semester of her senior year. While under- going chemotherapy, she obtained a bach- elor's degree in civil engineering without absences or lower grades. "She always gave her 100 percent, aid ischar. waiak e- elhlep rnn.- member Sealoyd Jones. As vice president, Wilson planned both the fall and spring con- certs and intirta fortable. She had a captivating smile." In Wilson's final year at the University, she played a part in incorporating the choir and enabling it to receive the benefits of a nonprofit organization. Wilson wa siasoan active member "She was I W I= " .'Immmou-, 71 ,.Immpm I