Cultural center to host
political prisoner
play
 By
Jenny Jones
Senior Writer
There are approximately 100 political prisoners
and prisoners of war being held in U.S. prisons today, according to
the Prison Activist Resource Center’s Web site.
Many of these prisoners were incarcerated because
of their participation in organizations such as the Black Panther Party
that objected to the policies of the U.S. government.
Because many people are unaware these prisoners
exist, the Black Cultural Center is hosting "Vital Signs,"
a play that depicts the life of a young African-American who dies in
jail after being captured as a political prisoner and tortured by police.
"Vital Signs" is based on a collection
of stories of real prisoners and their experiences.
Renee Thomas, executive director of the Black Cultural
Center, said the play will give a glimpse into African-American culture
while entertaining its audience.
"Vital Signs" will be performed by a
Chicago-based theater company at 7 tonight in Fowler Hall. The performance
is free and open to the public.
"If you don’t know (political prisoners
are being held) or you don’t care, then they’ll never get
out," said Reginald Lawrence, executive producer of "Vital
Signs."
Michael Adams II, a junior in the School of Technology
and coordinator of the New Directional Players acting troupe for the
Black Cultural Center, said, "Someone, somewhere is still paying
for our struggle."
Although it is not known exactly how many political
prisoners exist in the United States, there have been many studies done
on individual prisoners such as Geronimo Pratt, a Black Panther leader.
Pratt served 24 years in prison after he was wrongfully
convicted of the murder of a Santa Monica, Cal., woman. And on June
10, 1997, Pratt was acquitted and released from his life sentence.
It is because of instances such as this that Lawrence
believes it is important for one to remain responsible as a news consumer
or this injustice will continue.
"It’s a question about where you get
your information from," he said.
In addition to the play, a workshop will also be
available at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Black Cultural Center. The workshop
will allow guests to interact with the play’s cast members while
learning how to create intriguing monologues.
The workshop might also help guests better their
public speaking and expression skills, Thomas said.
n For more information about "Vital Signs,"
log on to www.mpaact.org
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