Under the baobab: Happy Valley travels to LA, the land of dreams

“LA is the land of dreams but things aren’t always what they seem”- Anonymous

Congrats to Coach James Franklin and our No. 3 ranked football team for their courageous come-from-behind victory against USC. One of the most exciting football games I have ever seen.

On Election Day in November, Pennsylvania may be the most observed swing state. Once the elections are decided I believe focus will shift to California, which is on the brink of becoming the most important locale in the Pacific Rim, which contain the world’s most populous countries.

One out of every eight U.S. residents live in California. California has a larger GDP than all but four countries in the world. It contributes over 14% of the U.S. GNP. Forty percent of all imports to the U.S. come through California ports. With the country’s largest Latino, largest Asian and largest Indigenous American populations, California reflects the diversity of the rest of the Pacific Rim. There might well be a U.S. presidential administration that will also reflect that diversity. Vice President Kamala Harris was born and raised in California and understands that world.

Outside my window at the Hollywood Roosevelt, I looked down on Hollywood Boulevard and the 2,700 stars on the Walk of Fame. Along with multitudes of others, as a bright-eyed young man, I came to LA to pursue my dream to be a star, to have a star.

That quest led me to a master’s program at the American Film Institute, TV and film roles and a modicum of celebrity. It also led me to homelessness, a struggle with addiction, and emotional devastation. The city almost killed me but it also provided the wind to lift my wings. Millions still come to LA from Mexico, India, China, South America, Africa. Brown skinned and bright eyed, towing children or backpacks they fondle the stars on the street, dreaming the American dream. A few will make it, most will not. They will try and invigorate the pulse of our collective quest.

Elsewhere in the community

Penn State and the Borough of State College held their third annual Dignity Day. Karen Armstrong, director of inclusion, equity and diversity for PSU Outreach and Chiluvya Zulu, State College Borough’s director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, were project coordinators. Sponsoring organizations included: PSU’s Office of the President, Department of Outreach, Office of Educational Equity, and Office of Student Affairs and the Borough of State College.

Welcome remarks were shared by Mayor Ezra Nanes, Borough Manager Tom Fountaine and PSU’s Larry Terry. Keynote speaker Rosalind Wiseman, the head of Project Unite, contrasted concepts of dignity and contempt. Workshop leaders included: SeriaShia Chatters, Iradukunda Esperance, Madeleine Jones, Wanda B. Knight, Nalini Krishnankutty, Irvin Moore and Elizabeth Siegelman. Tonya Black, State College Area School District, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, brought several high school students to participate.

The Center for Performing Arts presented another outstanding show at Eisenhower Auditorium for the building’s 50th anniversary. The Ailey II Dance Company presented two new works and finished with a rousing rendition of Alvin’s classic “Revelation.”

Subu Vedam’s lead lawyer, Gopal Balachandran, reported that Judge Grine granted his client a post-conviction evidentiary hearing that will be held on Feb. 6-7 at the Centre County Courthouse.

Professor emeritus John Sanchez spoke on “What do you really know about Native Americans?” at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The next day IPSA and IFSA organized Indigenous Peoples Day events: celebrations with prayer, song, dance and a “joyous feast.” Chris Takes-Guns Parris/aka Supaman held a songwriting workshop. Later he performed at Eisenhower.

Lastly, the voter registration deadline is Oct. 21. The most important presidential election of our lifetime is less than three weeks away. The candidates have spoken. It’s our turn. Vote!