Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 12, 1994 TAG: 9403120123
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Not only did Mr. Mason perpetuate ugly stereotypes about African-Americans," in a recent radio broadcast, "he conjured out of nowhere statistics that supposedly proved his dubious point," the Washington chapter of the American Jewish Committee said in a statement Friday.
It said such remarks "serve only to encourage the intergroup tensions that are sadly all too common in the United States."
Mason, on a March 2 broadcast of the national radio program "Pat Buchanan & Company," claimed that blacks are 100 times more susceptible than whites to violent behavior.
Mason also expressed dismay over anti-Jewish sentiments in the black community, saying, "We have been the greatest allies of black people in the fight for equality."
Ravi Shankar, the man who taught George Harrison how to play the sitar, has taught his homeland of India a lesson in hard bargaining.
The government promised to provide Shankar with cheap land for a music academy after he threatened to take his project to the United States.
The school will stock Shankar's recordings, instruments, books and memorabilia, and will train students in Indian classical music.
Shankar's next project is creating a national radio channel broadcasting only classical and folk music.
Jack Nicholson has struck a deal with the man who claimed Nicholson struck his car with a golf club.
Nicholson settled a lawsuit filed by Robert Scott Blank, who accused the actor of bashing his car's hood and windshield while he was stopped at a red light Feb. 8. Blank said Nicholson apparently thought he had been cut off in traffic.
Details of the settlement were not available. Nicholson, 57, still faces arraignment March 31 on misdemeanor charges of vandalism and assault.
About 70 Carmen Miranda wannabes, including one man, participated in the New Miss Chiquita Banana contest, celebrated all day Thursday at the Union Square Theater in Manhattan. All the participants vowed that they love bananas.
The occasion was Chiquita's 50th birthday. Auditioners had to sing Chiquita's trademark song, wearing a hat full of bananas and other fruit, wishing Miss Banana a happy birthday.
"I want to spread bananas all over the world," said Nneka Ifenesia, 25, a home attendant from New York City. Ifenesia said she saw the ad for the contest in a newspaper and decided to enter the competition.
The only male contestant, Luan Beciri, 26, a mechanic from New York City, said that life is full of opportunities, and that you have to grab them like a bunch of bananas. "I am the only man here, so I think I have very good chance of winning," said Beciri. "I am very good at what I do."
The board will select 30 finalists for today's audition.
by CNB