T U E S D A Y OCTOBER 26, 2004
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD Volume CXXXIX, No. 96
An independent newspaper serving the Brown community since 1891
Econ professor Grossman remembered as passionate academic
Panelists discuss R.I.’s hidden history of slavery BY ANNA ABRAMSON
University Hall was built with slave labor, panelists said in a discussion held Monday night by the University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice. This and other rarely discussed facts — slaves who worked on the project were “donated” for a certain amount of labor from contributors, the most common point of departure for slave ships was Rhode Island — were the focus of the latest in the series of lectures sponsored by the committee. The event, which almost filled Salomon 001, featured three speakers — Newport Chamber of Commerce Director Keith Stokes, Professor of American Civilization and University Curator Robert Emlen and Rachel Chevrons GS. Chevrons, who is writing a dissertation about the Rhode Island slave trade, pointed to little-known facts and statistics about the role of slavery in the Ocean State. While it is true that Rhode Island “was a smaller player in terms of the slave trade as a whole,” she said, it was actually a prominent part of the American trade. Rhode Island was the most common point of departure for slave ships. This created “intricate links” in both the economy and community, she said, directly or indirectly involving colonists of diverse social statuses and professions. Chevrons concluded by saying that confronting Rhode Island’s role in slavery “may make our historical burden far greater (but that is) one of the keys to moving forward.” Emlen described the racially integrated construction crew that built University Hall, saying that the reality of slave labor in the foundation of the University is “virtually unimaginable to those of us who know Brown in the 21st century.” After the Corporation of what would become Brown University approved the structure, a crew of laborers including whites, slaves and free blacks was assembled. Emlen pointed also to the rarity of historical records that explicitly document slave labor and demonstrated the need to “read between the lines” to assess material and visual documents, such as payment bills and
BY ROBBIE COREY-BOULET
Nick Neely / Herald
Boston Red Sox fans came from East Providence to display their team pride on Thayer Street Monday night. The Red Sox, which lead the best-of-seven World Series 2-0, play the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis tonight.
BTV set to premiere eight new shows ARTS & CULTURE BY SHIYIN WANG
Brown Television is set to air eight new student shows this fall. The season’s schedule will be more full than any in recent years and will include comedies, sports, news, a poker tournament and a drama produced as a Group Independent Study Project. BTV Station Manager Ariana Nobles ’06 said she is excited that BTV could go “back to the old days” when student shows were in abundance, adding that BTV is “trying to go back to a good balance” between movies and shows. “It’s for the students. We want to do things for the University,” Nobles said. Since BTV began showing movies five years ago, the number of shows has dropped. But this semester, a few elaborate student projects will take the spotlight. “Double Blind” is one such ambitious project. The serial, which will follow four undergraduates and one graduate student as they uncover a campus conspiracy, is the product of a GISP called “Episodic Storytelling,” which is running
see PANEL, page 4
this semester. The GISP is cosponsored by the Department of Visual Art and the Department of Theater, Speech and Dance. Erica Meredith ’05 is the leader of the GISP and the show’s producer. Meredith, an MCM concentrator and PLME student, said she would “love to continue in the tradition” of creating dramatic, serious shows like those that appear on commercial television or, in the past, on BTV. The show is a chance to “try things you don’t have the leeway to do in a professional setting,” said Meredith. She sees the show and the GISP as a great opportunity for experience in TV theory, reception, production and management. Meredith and her production crew, WESt TV, plan to have five episodes per semester over the course of the year. The show has been filmed in high definition, and episodes will also be available on the Internet in streaming video. “Double Blind” will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting tonight.
see BTV, page 3
Advertised Ashcroft speech a hoax BY STU WOO
For the record, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is not coming to campus. But someone wanted people to think Ashcroft would be making an appearance, going to such lengths as postering around the Main Green and in campus buildings. According to several signs around campus, Ashcroft would have been speaking in Smith-Buonanno 106 at 6 p.m. today. The signs stated that Ashcroft would be speaking “with a small group of federal, state and local law enforcement officers” about the Patriot Act. But the posters are apparently a hoax. According to Ricky Gresh, director of student activities, there is no indication that Ashcroft is coming. “The (poster) says local and state law enforcement officers would be spoken to,”
but DPS was not contacted, he said. He added that the Secret Service would probably work with DPS to provide security if Ashcroft were actually visiting, but the agency had not contacted DPS. The posters stated that the event was being sponsored by the “Brown Conservative Alliance,” as well as the “P.P.S.O.M.A.” and the “A.F.U.” However, Gresh and leaders of Brown political groups had never heard of the organizations, which are not registered student groups, and no one had reserved SmithBuonanno 106 for that time period. The Brown Conservative Alliance’s phone number on the poster is actually the number of the Transportation Office. The signs said the group would conduct a ticket lottery for the event and requested that students “call our office” to be entered in the lottery. Gresh said the
Transportation Office “had been getting an inordinate amount of calls.” “I’ve never heard of the Brown Conservative Alliance,” said Chris McAuliffe ’05, president of the College Republicans. “If there is a conservative group on campus, I would know who it is.” Gresh directed facilities workers to take down the signs because they violated sign policy, since they were not put up by an existing student group. Kelly Hall ’06, legislative committee chair of the Brown Democrats, said when she first heard that Ashcroft was coming, she was excited and was planning on telling College Democrats to attend the lecture. “I’m always excited by political debate on the campus,” Hall said. “I was excited to question him and debate him and ask him intelligent questions.”
I N S I D E T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 2 6 , 2 0 0 4 Local candidates gear up for Election Day, conclusion of competitive State Senate race metro, page 3
www.browndailyherald.com
It’s time for excessive partisanship to end, and it’s up to voters to say so, according to Rob Sand ’05.5 column, page 7
Ward 1 City Council Rep. David Segal says State Sen. Rhoda Perry P’91 deserves Brown students’ votes column, page 7
Professor of Economics Herschel Grossman was more than an academic — the avid Brown football fan somehow managed to balance his passion for economics and teaching with his personal interests, according to family members, friends and colleagues. “He was one of the lucky few whose profession was not just a means to earn money,” Grossman’s son Andrew said during Grossman’s memorial service Sunday. “It was his life’s passion.” Grossman died of a heart attack Oct. 9 while attending a conference in Marseilles, France. Those in attendance at the service filled Hillel’s Winnick Chapel to capacity, forcing some to remain outside. At the afternoon service, a range of speakers from Grossman’s personal and professional life described the University of Virginia graduate as both a passionate family man and a dedicated scholar. Many at the service said the portrayal of Grossman’s accomplishments in and outside the field of economics was an accurate picture of a man who led a balanced and full life. Grossman’s son highlighted the passion with which his father approached his role at the University, where he worked as a faculty member since 1964. Grossman also served two stints as department chair, the first lasting from 1982 to 1985 and the second from 1986 to 1991. Grossman’s son also commented on his father’s impact as a parent, saying he “granted me the freedom to make my own decisions.” Grossman had two children and one grandchild. He was previously married to Elizabeth Greenwell Grossman. Herschel Grossman’s second wife, Suzanne, told those gathered that she’d lost her best friend and companion when her husband died. “Herschel’s heart broke, and now mine continues to suffer,” she said. Suzanne Grossman described her husband’s strengths as a companion and life partner, emphasizing the intimate connection they shared during their marriage. She said she most appreciated her husband’s optimistic personality, abundant enthusiasm and sense of humor. “Most of all, I was turned on by how much he liked what I like. We clicked,” she said. “I learned a tiny bit of economics. Moreover, I learned a lot about myself.” On Monday, Andrew Grossman told The Herald that his father didn’t let his career affect his family life. “He was at the office a lot, but he didn’t talk about it that much. He was able to leave his job at the office.” Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Economics Rajiv Vohra P’07 and Professor of Economics Anthony Lancaster talked about Grossman’s role within the economics department, describing him as a tireless
see GROSSMAN, page 4
WEATHER FORECAST W. volleyball splits weekend games; team could place second in league if it wins next two matches sports, page 8
Field hockey defeats Cornell University in difficult Homecoming matchup sports, page 8
TUESDAY
partly cloudy high 60 low 42
WEDNESDAY
sunny high 58 low 37