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News :: Miscellaneous |
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EBERT INFEST: A chance to confront the Chief |
Current rating: 0 |
by 8am.com
Email: editor (nospam) 8am.com (unverified!) |
14 Mar 2001
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Roger Ebert recently wrote a defense of Chief Illiniwek, the University of Illinois athletic program's controversial symbol. The film critic's upcoming festival of Overlooked Films will provide a perfect forum for further discussion of the issue. |
Roger Ebert, world famous film critic, is a native of Urbana, home of the University of Illinois and the controversial athletic program's symbol, Chief Illiniwek. "The Chief is part of the solution, not part of the problem," Ebert wrote, in a Tuesday, March 6, column in the Sun Times. The full article outlining his defense of the Chief is available at http://www.suntimes.com/output/eb-feature/ebert06.html.
Ebert may have a myopic outlook, unaware of how the Chief is perceived by those outside the circle of UI athletics. Or, he may be wise that a little controversy would help his upcoming Film Festival of Overlooked Films, planned for April 25-29 in Champaign.
On Thursday, April 26, at the Illini Union Bookstore, 807 S. Wright Street, Champaign, Ebert will sign his new book, "Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2001," from 1 - 2 p.m. Afterwards, he will hold a press conference. This would be the perfect opportunity to ask him about his position on the Chief.
The festival (http://www.ebertfest.com) will get national attention. It is an ideal opportunity to present the issue of Chief Illiniwek to the nation at the same time.
-- 8am.com |
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8am.com
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Ebert Backpedals |
by 8am.com
editor (nospam) 8am.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
21 Mar 2001
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One week after defending Chief Illiniwek, Ebert changed direction and determined that the Chief would most likely be retired. "The handwriting is on the wall," he writes in the essay available at http://www.suntimes.com/output/eb-feature/roger1.html.
It would still make sense to question him during Ebertfest about this issue. |
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