Letters to the Editor

And the free-throw line: I wanted to say that I truly loved and agreed with your article about Michael Finley ("Neither Swish nor Foul," February 8). I do indeed respect this player's All-Star ability and team leadership; however, I am very adamant about this guy getting to the hole--as well as the free-throw line! We will not win with all long, fall-away, outside shots! We have seen him make some big ones this year at the end, but I have seen him miss a lot more than he has made. I have been a fan of this team for a long time, and I truly want to see either Dirk or Michael being aggressive down the stretch by taking it to the hole. Good things seem to always happen when this kind of basketball takes place. You can clearly see it with top teams such as L.A. and Philly, constantly having Kobe and Alan taking the rock to rack.

The Mavs will win if this happens...mark my words!

Matt Traub
Dallas

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Love in action: I cannot remember being moved so strongly after reading a story. Big Murk (February 8) throws a much-needed hammer into the comfortable complacency all too common in our area. The story and pictures go beyond journalism and photography; they move the soul with their awesome simplicity and power. I sat motionless for 10 minutes just looking at the picture of Anthony Lampkins embracing his grandma on her hospital bed. I shall cut out that photo and place it inside my Bible as a reminder of what love in action is all about.

We should not miss the central theme of the story. Though we all need redemption and forgiveness, only the rare few ever manifest that perfect mix of humility and dignity as displayed in Big Murk. Thanks for helping remind me that there are bigger things in life deserving of our time and resources.

David Sparks
Lewisville

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She deserved every drop: I was chair of Teatro Dallas some years ago before I was appointed to the Commission for Cultural Affairs by Domingo Garcia (in his radical days). I did it because I loved Cora Cardona's teatro, and I wanted to find a way to reach my Chicano community. Alas, Cora was not interested.

The problem with the Dallas Observer has always been that you're so smart you're not wise. I am so glad that you did this story on "la Cora Cabrona," as we call her ("Cora! Cora! Cora!" January 25). She deserved every drop of ink you gave her. The reason that there is tension between Cora and our community is that she is Mexican. More than once, Cora told me that Chicanos (like me, though she pointed out that I was an exception) were culturally lacking. This isn't surprising to me; my mother, who was Mexican, also thought the same thing. Twenty years ago, Cora brought my heritage back to me because the racist practices of this city accomplished their goal: the decimation of our culture in the hope that we would assimilate. To a large extent, that happened. Enter "la Cora" to this abyss, and she gave many people hope again. (Anita Martinez doesn't count, by the way--that's tourist fluff.) In other words, Cora was a psychological player in the Latino community's cultural determination. But not of the community, because she doesn't respect us as equals. Mexicans have had a totally different experience with race than we have, and that is something that Fowler and other gringos don't know or don't confront because the pochas/chicanas/patas rajadad like me do.

I sat on the Commission for Cultural Affairs when the bond package that included the Latino Cultural Center was passed. I put it up for the vote when others tried to talk me out of it. Diana Flores (now trustee of the DCCCD), among other strong Latinas, threatened Domingo when he tried to weenie his way out of supporting the center (he was running for mayor, and he didn't want to upset the rich gringos). Cora was not a player in this teatro, but her husband Jeff was. And I have always felt they should have a place in the center, though not the only one. At the time, I knew that the Latino community wasn't sophisticated in the fund-raising and cultural department--they had never had a cultural center before. But it was time. It was just time, and the Latino community in Dallas deserved it. Even if it takes another 10 years to get built.

For this, I thank Cora for giving me so many years of great art. But the greatest art, Chicano theater, Chicano voices, Chicano artists, are going to "kick nalga" as never before.

Barbara Renaud Gonzalez
San Antonio

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Silly arrogance: Regarding Shannon Sutlief's remarks about my taste in movies in your February 8 issue (Night & Day): At least get your facts correct before you make fun of my taste in films. I may not always agree with Robert Wilonsky's take on a film, but he's a terrific writer, and I have tremendous respect for his ability. He also plays fair. Your arrogance makes you look silly.

Gary Cogill
Film critic, WFAA-Channel 8
Dallas

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Pathetic show: I think before your occasionally-in-town-because- I'm-in-London-and-I've-seen-truly- startling-and-inventive-work art critic decides to whip out a critical review of Dallas artists based on the ridiculous show at 500X Gallery ("Consider the Copycat," January 11), she needs to take a closer look.

She was very astute in her observation that most of this show looks like well-known artists of our time. What she fails to step back and notice is the fact that a museum curator selected this show! He chose 46 artists out of a field of about 200. About the only thing you got right in your review, Ms. Rees, was Nancy Mladenoff and Catherine Chauvin's work. They were the only artists chosen that had much merit. Yes, you can always second-guess a juried show, but two of 46 is pretty pathetic. It's too bad they couldn't have a slide projector running during the opening and show the work the juror did not deem worthy.

Norman Kary
Dallas