by Danny Craig
Staff Writer
There are many who feel the printed word can more effectively relay a message than any other medium. However, there are individuals like University of La Verne Professor of English Catherine Henley-Erickson who feel differently when finding motivation for her “How Does Your Garden Grow? Films About Diversity,” film series.
“Films provide us with glimpses, and ideas into other worlds that we might not otherwise have access,” said Henley-Erickson, expressing her enthusiasm for the cinema as she entered the series that began last Friday night.
Henley-Erickson chose the title for her series with the explanation that, within a garden, there are many types of flowers and, “together they make a beautiful bouquet.”
She expressed a hope that this will a be representation of the message from the “Garden” series.
Henley-Erikson, who doubles as a film critic for the Claremont Courier, hopes to use her passion in the series to relay ULV’s reoccurring theme of diversity to students and the La Verne community.
The series began with the monthly showing in La Fetra Hall of films dealing with issues of diversity.
After viewing the films, those who attend can take part in an open discussion about the film’s themes and messages.
These cinematic discussions are by a panel consisting of the faculty members and students.
Simon Bouie, ULV alumnus, served as one of four members of the panel last Friday night. Bouie felt the environment, “allowed people to look at and discuss what the topics are.” He also shared many of Henley-Erickson’s sentiments on the event’s ability to enlighten others on diversity.
Henley-Erickson explained her intentions were to encompass a variety of issues in her series.
“We often think of diversity as having to do with skin color. Yes that’s an issue, but there are others,” she said.
Henley-Erickson said she specifically chose films that dealt with more than one issue. Mainly, the professor’s reason for this was to spur conversation after the films conclude.
“I’m not going to show for instance, ‘Thelma & Louise,’ and have a panel made up of all women,” said Henley-Erickson.
Henley-Erickson’s series of films began with the viewing of the 1999 film “October Sky.” The story centered around a group of teenage boys who grapple with the hardships of social inequality, yet remain united in the bond of a common dream.
“It’s about opportunities, and about having access to opportunities … I think it’s a wonderful film,” she said about the picture.
She expressed that the film was extremely applicable to the experiences of college students.
Although it would appear that diversity is the only commonality in the series with films like “Mississippi Masala” (1991) on Nov. 5, and “Lone Star” (1996) on Dec. 3, Henley-Erickson said there to be an additional meaning.
“They’re all films about coming of age; they deal with younger people,” said Henley-Erickson.
With all of the themes and messages in the “Garden” series, the professor and critic has many aspirations for her project.
Henley-Erickson said that because a college setting provides for the opportunity to gain many new experiences, a certain understanding was necessary.
“I think just being human, our tendency is to separate ourselves from those with differences. We want to try not to judge based on our differences,” said Henley-Erickson.
“I think that everyone has something to learn here,” said Bouie.
Henley-Erickson implemented the idea of a garden into the title to represent variety and diversity.
With issues ranging from racism to social inequality, the festival indeed provides an eclectic array of topics to stimulate the and provoke the thoughts of the viewers.
