Condolences to Hall’s family
February 22, 2012 4:12PM
I was a freshman at Roosevelt High School when former Gary city clerk Katie Hall was elected to U.S. Congress in 1982 after being appointed to that position after the death of U.S. Rep. Adam Benjamin Jr.
I remember the excitement from teachers, especially those who taught social studies, when Hall introduced the law that resulted in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday into a national holiday.
I was saddened about the news of her passing, not having known how ill she had been until a few days ago. I offer condolences to the Hall family at this time.
Please pay your respects as Mrs. Hall will lie in state for public viewing from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at Van Buren Baptist Church, 2585 Van Buren St. From 5 to 6 p.m., the Van Buren Baptist Church Choir will do a tribute, followed by a tribute from Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority from 6 to 7 p.m. Fellowship will continue until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, also at Van Buren Baptist, and immediately following, a motorcade tribute will travel down Broadway and conclude at the Genesis Convention Center where family, dignitaries and invited guests will gather for a private repast.
Last weekend I was reunit ed with Gary native, actor and entertainer William L. Johnson during a film festival in his honor at the Glen Theatre.
I was only able to attend the Feb. 17 opening night but I did enjoy myself. “Dating While Black” and “Tears of the Clown” were two independent features that spoke volumes in filmmaking styles.
The director behind “Dating While Black,” Van Elder, was also on hand for the festival, as was actor Walter E. Jones, best known as the black Power Ranger in the popular 1980s-90s Saturday TV series, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.”
Friday night was packed, though a few people left during one of the films due to the constant use of the N-word.
Johnson and Elder stated the need for audiences to embrace the storylines and the characters as the characters resemble those close to home. They also asked for support for black filmmakers, actors, producers and writers.
I definitely agree that in order to see more diverse levels of films we all need to support the creative masses.
That said, the Gary International Black Film Festival is returning May 18-20 and from now to March 31, a worldwide call for film entries is underway.
Black filmmakers are asked to submit their works in four categories: independent short, narrative or documentary, feature narrative or documentary, student films and experimental works.
Submission forms and rules are available at www.gibbf.net; for questions and additional information write to info@gibff.net.
