Dan McLaughlinReporter

RALEIGH- North Carolina voters will decide whether to amend their state constitution to ban

same-sex marriage in the 2012 primary election in May. The House of Representatives approved the bill 75 to 42, and the Senate 30-16.

As a constitutional

amendment, the governor of the state has no say in the change; his lack of veto power puts the amendment straight on the ballot.

Though same-sex marriage is already illegal

in North Carolina, the new amendment would strengthen that ban on the constitutional level. It would bar legal recognition of any union besides one between one man and one woman. This includes civil unions and domestic partnerships for both straight and gay couples.

This issue has sparked debate and varying support from each side. Rev. Patrick Wooden of the Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh has fought against those who associate gay rights with other civil rights battles. On the other hand, Vicki Threlfall, a gay woman who married in Massachusetts in 2004, had to explain the issue to her 10-year-old daughter. “We told her that this is something about civil rights. We said, ‘Do you remember a long time ago

how African-Americans weren’t treated fairly? This is like that. There are a lot of people who are afraid and don’t know gay people.’”

The Republican-dominated legislature seemed to be moving the amendment along smoothly, but the rest is now up to the residents of North Carolina. A recent poll by the Public Policy Polling found that a majority of the public opposes the amendment.

Catherine LeonardReporter

NEW YORK CITY- On October 13, 2011,

the play titled “The Mountaintop,” depicting

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last night before

his assassination, premiered on

Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs theatre

in New York City. The

product ion , written by Katori Hall and starring Samuel L. J a c k s o n and Angela Bassett, has already been met with rave

reviews.An Olivier Award

Winning play, “The Mountaintop” is a re-imagining of the events that occurred the night before Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. It takes place on April 3, 1968, in the seedy Lorraine Motel room that King stayed in right after he delivered his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. The play shows the interactions between the legendary civil rights leader and the maid that forced King to confront his past, as well as recognize the legacy that he left behind.

King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, given at the Mason Temple in Memphis Tennessee, addressed the Sanitation Strikers who were protesting low pay and poor working

conditions. In the passionate speech, King said some eerily prophetic things about how he was not afraid to die. Many attempts on his life had been made, but he was courageous and continued to spread his message of peace and equality.

Nearing the 45th anniversary of this historic and tragic date, the play serves as a pertinent and moving way to remember

Martin Luther King, Jr.The production’s

overwhelming praise from critics should be enough to convince audiences to attend, but the enduring legacy of the peaceful leader has been drawing the crowds. All would expect that Martin Luther King, Jr. would appreciate this tribute, as well as the progress that has been made in the 45 years since his death.

Remembering KingBroadway play honors MLK’s life

ART-DEPT.NET

BROADWAY.COM“The Mountaintop,” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Basset, will run through Jan. 22, 2012 at the Bernard B. Jacobs theatre.

North Carolina voters to decide on same-sex marriage ban

MADISON MARGESON | DESIGN EDITORAn exhibit in the Martin Luther King, Jr. historical site museum features definitions of previous lawsuits during the time of the Civil Rights movement. Above, intermarriage and cohabitation between whites and blacks are deemed illegal.

“Do you remember a long time ago how African-Americans weren’t treated fairly? This is like that.”

Vicki Threlfall

online onlyFor more information on “The Mountaintop”, visithttp://www.themountaintopplay.com/

THE ATLANTAN FELLOW | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Lifestyle 1

Kyle LynchColumnist

On September 17, 2011, a rally was held on Wall Street in New York City to protest the uneven distribution of wealth in American society. Recently, similar movements have taken place in over 900 cities worldwide. Starting with just a few hundred protesters, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement has gained millions of followers.

The movement’s supporters call themselves the “99%,” referencing the largest concentration of wealth in 1% of the population. The Occupy Movement has become one of the largest movements in recent years. At Occupy Atlanta, however, the protesters have begun to compare their actions to those of a rather prominent figure in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On a recent trip to Atlanta, I witnessed the Occupy Atlanta protests. Although it was on a much smaller scale than Occupy Wall Street, the demonstrators protested in a similar, peaceful way, reciting chants and brandishing handmade signs at passing cars.

The Occupy movement could be seen throughout the city, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historical Site. In a blank book titled “Courage To Lead,” visitors have to ability to write down their experience at the site and what it meant to them. A growing trend, however, was how Dr. King influenced the “99%” in

their decision to Occupy Atlanta. Yes, Dr. King advocated

peaceful protest. Yes, Dr. King told the people to

fight for what they think is right. But do people really have the

right to compare the Occupy Movement to the Civil Rights Movement?

Visitors who shared their views in the “Courage to Lead” journal believed they were carrying on the legacy of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, and would continue his fight for freedom.

The protestors believe they are not getting a fair share of the wealth in this country, but continue to camp outside and protest everyday, rather than work hard to earn the money they are protesting for.

Martin Luther King worked for years to achieve social justice for African Americans, dedicating his whole life to the fight, and he died for the cause. He preached that through hard work and perseverance, blacks could gain equality with whites in society. Comparing his lifelong dedication

to the fight for equality to the Occupy Movement is an argument that would not be supported by many.

The 99% were never enslaved for hundreds of years. The 99% were never banned from public transportation, segregated from public places, or lynched for their race. So, the next time these Occupiers want to compare themselves to the Civil Rights Movement, just think. Do your daily struggles and motives compare to Dr. King's?

Civil Rights today, Occupy Wall Street tomorrow

MADISON MARGESON | EDITORMuseumgoers at the Martin Luther King, Jr. historical site have the opportunity to write their testimonies in a blank book titled “Courage to Lead.”

Columnist Kyle Lynch questions how two movements compare

Brad HinkleStaff Writer

The five-year anniversary of the passing of famed African-American musician James Brown will be celebrated on December 25, 2011, as the public looks back on his historical career. One event marks the extent of his impact on society: the Boston Garden concert that helped keep peace in Boston, Massachusetts following the April 5 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The concert, held on the night of April 5, 1968, had been scheduled for months, but was nearly cancelled. Riots following the assassination of King caused many cities to prepare for another night of violent unrest, including Boston. Army units patrolled the White House, and were prepared for the worst.

After careful consideration,

Brown decided to go ahead with his concert in Boston Garden. Fears of further unrest due to the mass attendance of the concert led African-American city councilmen Tom Atkins to broadcast the show live.

Public television station WGBH carried the concert on short notice after some negotiations with Brown. Because the concert would be televised, Brown received compensation from the city for the lost ticket revenue.

The broadcast had the exact effect intended by city officials. When Brown sensed unrest within the crowd due to police forcefully keeping order, he requested the police step down and restored order. Boston saw less crime that night than an average night in April, and the concert-goers kept the peace in honor of King’s assassination.

James Brown concert ‘keeps the peace’

MUSICFILMWEB.COMJames Brown’s 1968 concert in Boston Garden, a day after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death, was surrounded by peace in the midst of national violence and unrest.

LifestyleTHE ATLANTAN FELLOW | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Remembering King 2

Sergio IngatoStaff Writer

January 28, 2011 marked the 110th anniversary of the birth of inf luential African-American artist, James Richmond Barthé. A sculptor known for his many public works, Barthé was an innovator and was the first African-American to focus his art thematically on the lives of blacks, both in the United States and in Africa.

Barthé depicted African-Americans of distinction, African-Americans pre-Civil War at work in the South, and African-Americans as targets of racial violence.

It was Barthé’s first grade teacher who influenced his artistic development. He was a very promising young artist,

but as an African-American in the south, born in Mississippi and then having moved to Louisiana, he was not allowed to enroll in any art schools. Several newspapers recognized Barthé’s talent and fought unsuccessfully to get him registered in art school in New Orleans. However, in 1924 Barthé was admitted to the Art Institute of Chicago. It was in Chicago that Barthé began to hone in on his sculpting abilities.

He made sure that he would forever be remembered in the world of art, creating such pieces as “The Boxer”, which is now on display in the Art Institute of Chicago. This piece was created to show the social changes of time. African-American boxers like Joe Louis were competing against white

opponents, and actually beating them. This sculpture captured the significance of the black wins in the ring; it was a step towards African-American equality.

Throughout his career Barthé received many honors including the Rosenwald Fellowship, Guggenheim Fellowship, and was honored by the National Academy of Arts and Letters. Additionally, in 1950 he was awarded the Audubon Artists Gold Medal.

Affirming his belief in civil rights, Barthé once said, “all my life I have been interested in trying to capture the spiritual quality I see and feel in people, and I feel that the human figure as God made it is the best means of expressing this spirit in man.”

110th anniversary of sculptor James Richmond Barthé’s birthTHE BISHOP’S SCHOOL

James Richmond Barthé’s sculptures were some of the first to focus on the theme of African-American culture.

OHR-O’KEEFE MUSEUM OF ARTSculptor James Richmond Barthé revolutionized African-American art.

Atlanta King historical site sure to impress

MADISON MARGESON | EDITOR

The Martin Luther King, Jr. historical site is located on 450 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, and is home to King’s birthplace, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, visitor center, and King Center museum.

LifestyleTHE ATLANTAN FELLOW | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Remembering King 3Staff

THE ATLANTAN FELLOW | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Madison MargesonEditor

Kyle LynchColumnist

Sergio IngatoStaff Writer

Brad HinkleReporter

Dan McLaughlinReporter

Catherine LeonardReporter

4