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diversions:
Nerds, politics
clash
College campuses across
the country are decorated with arrays of color combinations
made popular by the various fraternities and sororities.
Black and gold
represent the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, burgundy and gray
go hand-in-hand with the sisters of Kappa Psi Epsilon and
navy blue and black distinguish the gentlemen of Zeta Phi
Rho.
From the honor
in each organization's colors to the depth of their rituals
and teachings, young men and women join fraternities and sororities
to find their place in college life and conform to a system
of integrity and pride.
With finals just
around the corner, this week's 'Picks' are certain to help
ease the stress of studying.
Sticking with the
Greek system theme, the movies are, Spike Lee's, "School
Daze," and Jeff Kanew's, "Revenge of the Nerds."
The 1988 Lee classic
takes place on the Mission College campus over homecoming
weekend, amidst a war between a group of conscious activists
and the obnoxious Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity.
The movie opens
with Vaughn "Dap" Dunlap (Laurence Fishburne) leading
a rally to free Nelson Mandela in South Africa. At the peak
of Dap's speech, he is interrupted by Julian "Big Brother
Almighty" Eaves (Giancarlo Esposito) and his Gammamite
pledges, setting the tone for a movie of immense conflict
and integrated social issues.
"School Daze"
continues with romance and relationships, rituals and rivalries
and step shows and musical scores.
The movie, also
starring Spike Lee, Tisha Campbell and Kadeem Hardison, challenges
viewpoints about self-identity and self-esteem.
Moving on to the
Adams College campus, a group of pocket protector-wearing
math computing four-eyed geeks try to gain acceptance in the
1984 comedy, "Revenge of the Nerds."
Freshmen Lewis
(Robert Carradine) and Gilbert (Anthony Edwards), wanting
to fit in into the college life, decide to find a fraternity
to pledge for. Unfortunately, every house on campus denies
the geeks.
Lewis and Gilbert
resolve to start their own fraternity. Joined by other nerds
and geeks, Lamda Lamda Lamda is formed.
With attempts to
overthrow the Lamda's, the popular Alpha Beta fraternity fail
to take away the nerd's chapter.
The course of the
movie follows a path of betrayal, back-stabbing and victory.
Also starring,
Ted McGinley ("Married with Children") and John
Goodman ("Rosanne"), "Revenge of the Nerds"
is an extended metaphor of America's ruling class trying to
silence the struggling class. Much like government trying
to silence protestors and demonstrators, the movie shows how
determination goes a long way.
"School Daze"
and "Revenge of the Nerds" are two movies that speak
of people uniting and overcoming trying times. When people
unite, resolutions are uplifted.
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