A VENTURE IN RACISM

I have anxiously scanned Calendar Letters for the past month in hopes of finding a letter condemning “Adventures in Babysitting” as a racist and demeaning portrayal of minorities. Although plenty of critical media reactions have been printed, no readers have concurred with this opinion. It is unfortunate that I have remained silent for so long, because I also believe “Adventures” is a dangerous movie which serves only to reinforce negative images of minorities.

When I viewed the movie in Westwood during its opening weekend, the audience basically consisted of clean well-scrubbed white children much like the ones on screen. Given the title, subject matter and age of the main characters, it’s safe to assume I viewed the movie with its core audience. I shudder to think what stereotypes were reinforced in their young minds. Try this message for example: the inner city consists of black car thieves, Hispanic subway gangs and mentally disturbed homeless people.

I’ve learned several lessons from “Adventures” and from the reader reaction to it. First, it’s not enough to sit back and wait for someone else to protest. Second, it is sad that these stereotypes of minorities continue and that the public is so easily willing to shrug off criticism of them. Third, that’s the true state of racial consciousness in today’s society.

DWAYNE MORING

Assistant Dean of Admissions

University of Redlands