UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, March 15, 1994
7
Heather Lofflin / KANSAN
Safety Serguean Steven Jensen of the Kansas Highway Patrol straps Dharmesh Shah, Lenexa sophomore, into "the Convincer," which simulates a vehicle collision at 5 mph. Jensen said the force of the impact was equal to five times a person's body weight. The demonstration was one of many exhibits in front of Wescoe Hall yesterday that was intended to promote a safe Spring Break.
Alabama principal could be fired
Mixed-race couples banned from prom
The Associated Press
WEDOEE, Ala. — Revonda Bowen, whose mother is African American and father is white, burst into tears after her principal banned interracial couples from the prom and told her she was a "mistake."
Hulond Humphries, principal at Randolph County High School, later backtracked from his remarks at the assembly, but Bowen and civil rights groups were not appeased.
"I just want him out," said Bowen, a junior.
The seven-member school board, which has six whites and one African American, was to meet last night, possibly to decide whether to fire
Humphries.
But Humphries has many supporters and his dismissal seemed unlikely. During the weekend, parents and students formed a 100-car motorcade and waved signs at a rally in Wedowee, an east-central Alabama town of about 800.
They say his comments were misinterpreted or taken out of context and were a result of his frustration with a series of student fights.
"I don't think it's grounds for dismissal," said Gerald Romine, one of the white school-board members. "The majority of the board seems to feel that way. I think we can work it out."
According to students, the principal threatened to cancel the April 23 prom if mixed-race couples attended. That prompted Bowen to ask, "Who am I supposed to take to the prom?"
The 680-student school is 62 percent white and 38 percent African American. The county, with about 20,000 people, is about 76 percent white and 24 percent African American.
She and students said Humphries replied: "That's just it. Your mom and dad made a mistake, having you as a mixed child."
Tawanna Mize, a senior who also comes from an interracial marriage, said that she also was hurt by the principal's remarks but that some students had taken them out of context.
She said Humphries was trying to get students to discuss interracial dating. When his comments caused Bowen to cry, no one listened to the rest of his comments, she said.
"He said, 'Wait a minute. That is not what I meant,'" she said. "He was trying to apologize, and nobody would listen."
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University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Department of.
Music and Dance
The University of Kansas Opera presents
Don Giovanni
By W. A. Mozart
For general admission tickets, call the KU box offices (Murphy:
913/864-3982; Lied: 913/864-ARTS); KU student tickets are available through the SUA Office, Kansas Union; public $6, students $3, senior citizens $5; VISA/MasterCard accepted for phone orders.
Have you dined at The Castle Tea Room lately?
Reservations only:
843-1151
with the University Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Brian Priestman
7:30 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday March 16 &17, 1994 Lied Center
区
Tonight Tiny Lights Easterday 25¢ draws
Wednesday Spinanes Lois 18& over
Thursday Tripping Daisy Eve's Plumb Go Kart 18& over
Friday Salty Iguanas Adam's Farm
Use once and discard.
GUM
Use often for discounts.
KANSAN CARD
You can't hide your budget problems under a desk. But the Kansan Card will keep you from chewing up your pocketbook. That's because it's accepted at over 50 Lawrence merchants again and again. And the Card is valid until August. Use it every day. Because you can. Just think, it won't loose it's flavor on the bedpost overnight.