New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 6

I'AOK TIM) CODRIKK SKPTKMBKR 2. 1971 p. 66 99 Ht's ByGregMlms Actually, I wanted nothing to do with the national controversy surrounding Michael Winner's irresponsible little urban Western, "Death Wish." Consistent with my understanding of how America's citizens deal with unpleasant, unwieldy subjects, I chose not to get involved. And as we all well know, non involvement, along with our 200 year background of assorted busts, burns, and rip offs, is as American as Mom and apple pie. Don't send me no medals for my patriotism though, 'cause I've decided to poke my nose into the film for the same reason that men climb Mt.

Everest, and for the same reason you move your barstool closer to that cute little sister to your left. Because Mt. Everest, like that cute little number. and like "Death is there. And that fnends is a hell of a rationale, if I ever heard one.

But perhaps an even stranger rationale is the one which packed the Gateway Theatre with a crowd of cheering Pittsburghers who, after being assaulted for 90 minutes or so, left the theater feelin' good about "Death Wish." If you haven't already heard, "Death Wish" is the simplistic, decidely American (by viture of its own sterile, violent outlook) tale about an upper middle class architect, who is "driven" to a string of vigilante killings, when his wife and daughter are knurdered and raped by thugs. In its story line and attitude, the film seeks a truth ho less complex than a bar room drunk's boastful solution to the ills of the Western world. You know the one "They oughta march all these hoods out and shoot 'em. That's what they oughta do!" And while that premise is particularly offensive, the primary beef about the film is that it is as mindless, in its manner, as the bar room drink. Mindless and irresponsible to the extent that the film provides its "hero" (the stone faced Charles Bronson) with an excuse to kill people labels it motivation, or more offensively "justice" and creates a series of Cheap Thrills for the audience.

Sound familiar? It should, it's the standard plot line format of the last ten Blaxploitation thrillers you've seen. This time around however, there's a big budget, the world's highest paid actor ($20,000 a day, and climbing) and a pretense at sophistication. Despite those aspects however, the roots of "Death Wish" are based firmly in the "Coffy" "Slaughter's Big Rip Off" mold. And although Charles Bronson's characterization of Paul Kersy is decidedly low key as compared to the Pam GrierJim Brown "Super Nigger" persona, at base, "Death Wish" operates on the same wave length. And the white audiences, with their own pent up frustrations are cheering as loudly for Bronson's murders, as Black audience, with a different bag of frustrations, are cheering for Pam Grier and company.

(And if there ain't some kind of moral in all that, then my nick name ain't "The justice, agents of reconciliation," he stated. Lining the words of the hymn, "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say," Bishop Talbot reached a glorious climax and reminded his listeners that however distorted and disarranged life becomes, it is never beyond the reconciling love of Jesus, and that we, each of us, has a role to play in sharing, generating that love, which indeed can save the world. The Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Morris Gaddy, sang the National Anthem of the Republic of Guyana, at the close of the services, as a special tribute to the distinguished guest. Members of Boaz Lodge No. 65, clad in their fraternal regalia, were also present as a tribute to Contributing to the film's mindlessness is director Winner's particularly out of sync perspective on "How the world is put together." "Death Wish" talks about the "city as a jungle," but fails to explore it as such, in a decent cinematic manner using mood and atmosphere.

As a result, we never get a sense of New York (which doubles as Anylargetown, U.S.A.) just as on the top, 90 minute tour. Director Michael Winner, assumes we know amount of things about the city, and does not examine the city's seamy sides, hence, he exploits our own darker thoughts about urban life. And while we resent being exploited, at least run a good game at us; we ain't crazy. "Death Wish" asks us to believe a version of New York City in the muggers carry only knives in which fully integrated, Equal Employment Opportunity, teams of muggers patrol the streets in which the city's criminal elements look and act like rejects from Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange." Like I said, we ain't crazy. As far as acting is concerned, "Death Wish" shoots nothing but blanks.

Bronson's performance has been heralded as his best in years, but much of this type is based on his four star acting jobs in previous overseas film efforts. The fact is, Bronson has turned in better characterizations as a supporting actor in earlier American made films. There's not a cat on my block who doesn't remember his in "The Triple Receptions Welcome Ambassador Talbot ByWUlaMaeRlce (Church News Editor) Pittsburgh's Welcome Expressions, extended to His Excellency Ambassador Frederick H. Talbot of Guyana, began with a "Red Carpet" reception sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh at Schenley Hall. His Excellency, Ambassador Frederick H.

Talbot of Guyana, was warmly welcomed and formally introduced to the Renaissance City during three brilliant receptions given in his honor last weekend. The initial reception, hosted by Dr. Bernard J. Kobosky, vice chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, took place at Schenley Hall on Friday evening, when a brilliant array of Pittsburgh leaders were present to extend greetings. Here as guest speaker for the St.

James AME pastor and congregation, the ambassador, who is also an AME Bishop, was also feted by his hosts on Saturday evening and on Sunday following the morning worship services. "Life in All it's Fullness," was the theme of the masterful Sunday morning message delivered by the distinguished leader of church and state. In his words of introduction Rev. Alexander presented Bishop Talbot as a native of Guyana, a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Divinity School, who was elected to Bishopric of the AME Church in 1972, when the AME General Conference met, a former professor of Payne Theological Seminary and referred to him as "a stalwart pillar of power." The illustrious guest speaker, who is also the AME Bishop in charge of the Sixteenth Episcopal District, embracing the Caribbean, began his preliminary remarks by saying, "I am not here as the ambassador plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guyana, I am here primarily, as. an ambassador for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!" Ambassador Talbot acknowledged the presence of the veteran AME preacher, Dr.

Augustus C. Sump ter; praised him for his noble contribution of service to the church over a period of 60 years and urged the present pastors to capture the wealth of his experiences and publish it as a monument to a great leader. As the episcopate, Bishop Talbot thanked pastors and members of the AME Pittsburgh Conference for support which they had given to the work in the area over which he presides. The Bishop voiced his special gratitude for the assistance given to theological students from his area studying here at Pittsburgh Seminary. Culling his message from St.

John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly," the speaker challenged the capacity congregation from three major emphases. First, he said, we must find a goal and a purpose for life. In contrast, Bishop Talbot referred to that element which sees life as a veil of tears; and the drifters, who are afraid to hope, those who are aimless. "As ambassadors of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we must become the channels through which the love and concern of Jesus Christ must be reflected and felt in the world in which we live," the preacher stressed. Secondly, he pointed out that in order to have life in all its fullness, we must find something to do." Count your blessings, and make your blessings count," he urged.

Relating to the problems of the present day, Bishop Talbot asked, "What does the contemporary man do with his life?" "We say that the system is bad, but do we make any effort toward creating change that can spell improvement?" Here, the speaker took a jab at the complacent non voter, who has decided that all politics are dirty, thereby declining his duty to become involved with the system and working to correct whatever is wrong. In this vein, the Bishop spoke of our readiness to criticize the youth, who are caught up in crime, instead of extending ourselves, our love our means toward trying to organize programs to salvage them. He further emphasized the point by declaring anew the scripture: "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD," not the church, and as Christ's ambassadors, we too must have concern for God's world. As his third point toward "living life in its fullness," the speaker said that we must love, He interpreted love as not so much a noun as it is a verb, a word of action. "God so loved the world THAT HE GAVE, He showed us that he cared.

"We can show our love by being agents of social His Excellency Bishop Talbot. A special presentation to him was made for the lodge by the 111. Grand Inspector Edward Green. The Rev. and Mrs.

Floyd W. Alexander, pastor and first lady of St. James Church, and members of the congregation are to be commended for the elegant series of receptions sponsored honoring the international statesman at the church on Saturday evening and again on Sunday, immediately following the morning services. "Come Holy spirit, burn, convict, convert and consecrate us to thy service!" These were the words of Bishop Talbot's prayer, which introduced, climaxed and concluded his masterful message. A 1 Pitt Welcomes Ambassador His Excellency Frederick Hilborn Talbot, second from left.

Ambassador of the Republic of Guyana, was guest of honor at a reception hosted by Dr. Bernard J. Kobosky, center. Vice Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh's Public Affairs Department held at Schenley Hall last Friday evening. Others in the Receiving Line are, Dr.

Lloyd Bell, extreme left, director of the Office of Urban Community Services at the university, and assistant to the vice chancellor and Dr. William Robinson, second from right, a member of the Urban Community Affairs staff. Among the large number of leaders in the Pittsburgh community who were present to welcome the dignitary of church and state was John H. Adams, right foreground, executive director of the PitUbnrgh Business Resource Center. HARRIS PHOTO wiwm.

jinn I iiMi iiiiMM 1 iw rirfii'in'; iririr KK i AT teviaK Br 'ISiffilt i ipl mum nil Church, Community Leaders la the elegant atmosphere of the University of Pittsburgh's Schenley Hall, church and civic leaders turned out In large numbers to formally welcome the ambassador of Guyana on his recent visit to Pittsburgh. Left to right, this picture Includes: the Rev. and Mrs. Floyd W. Alexander, pastor and first lady of St.

James AME Church, his official hosts; Mrs. Adelaide Montgomery of Park Place AME Church; Mr. and Mrs. Dave Nowling of Westinghouse; Mr. and Mrs.

Alex Murray of Park Place Church. HARRIS PHOTO Magnificent Seven" or "The Dirty Dozen." In "Death Wish" however, Bronson's cold Mt. Rush more countenance, is primarily a source of aggravation. Vincent Gardenia In The "Bang The Drum as the beleagured police chief whose job it is to catch this nut, turns in another of his excellent, mannered supporting role performances. As hinted earlier, "Death Wish" plays right into that old "Violence American as apple pie." syndrome.

Ana wnno that particular point of view is not inaccurate, it's very curious to see white people cheer that viewpoint when expressed in jive time whiteploitation adventures, and reject that particular slant when the guy doing the shooting is Black. Black folks shoot, act crazy "Senseless carnage!" White folks shoot, act crazy "A matter of mere controversy." Summing up, although we may find the views expressed in "Death Wish" unacceptable on any level, still, the basic story line, despite its idiotic perspective, might have made an interesting film, had it been handled properly. Properly, In terms of say, Arthur Perm and Don Seigal or more on target, Sam Peckinpah In those hands, "Death Wish" would perhaps have been just as reprehensible, but at least well worth the controversy. ISJIHI How Long Can I. Survive? there a way I might express The solitude that I feel.

Is there a way I dare confess The reality of a life unreal. There's a fear deep within me I shudder with each thought As though an unconscious mil inside me Will conjure a.i evil plot. Will take hold of this soul of mine While in a subconscious state. Break the bounds of my fearful heart; And lead me to a hellish fate. Life so far has been one without control It is not but the one inside I fear That will condemn this restless sout.

As Cod is my maker this fate I cannot bear. Sometime I see myself imprisoned Behind the iron bar. Waiting for what, I do not know; But something, dreadful from afar. Something I cannot see, Something I can only fear. Something out there beyond me; But yet it seems so near.

Dear God I pray to Thee, Dear God in the Heavens above me. Protect me from this thing I fear, Protect me Father and love me. My life is like a coffin. I'm shut in yet I am alive. These fears are horrible and often.

How long can I survive. By J. Thomas Bynum The Stone Of Doom You threw a stone into the air, and where it fell you didn't care. It could have landed on a hill, or maybe on someone's window sill. It could have landed in a brook, but you never stop to take a look.

It's just a stone what harm could it do, it may not even matter to On July thirteenth Saturday ifternoon, a stone was thown and the em vasdoom. A stone was sailed across the sky, and landed in my little grand daughter's eye. She's only six and doesn't realize, what it means to lose the sight of an eye. She's even making excuses for the boy who threw the stone, he didn't mean to hit me mommy, I'll be all right when I come home. Here's to stone throwers all over the world, REMEMBER what happened to this dear little girl.

Parents teach your children there are other ways to play, may God help you remember what happened on this day. Mrs. Hazel Radcliff (Grandmother).