Under the baobab: Sports events, Powwow draw excitement in Happy Valley

These are exciting times to be in Happy Valley.

On their return to Rec Hall, the Penn State men’s basketball team beat nationally ranked No. 12 Illinois at the buzzer when Zach Hicks — with ice water in his veins — drained three straight foul shots to seal the one-point victory. The sold-out crowd stormed the court in celebration. The Nittany Lions had been down by as much as 14 points in the second half. Nick Kern Jr. with 22 points was PSU’s high scorer. The team’s record is 14 wins and 14 losses with three games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament.

In front of 6,600 fans at the Bryce Jordan Center, the Penn State wrestling team (11-0, 8-0 B1G) defeated visiting Nebraska (11-2, 6-2 B1G) to claim its tenth Big Ten Regular Season Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson.

The 18th annual Penn State Powwow, coordinated by John Sanchez, welcomed thousands of folks on Saturday and Sunday. It was emceed by Guy Jones. The two arena directors were Cory Ridgeway and Roger Campbell. Headman Dancers were Robin Bowers and Urie Ridgeway. The Big Ten Native Alliance organized by Tracy R. Peterson also gathered at Penn State’s HUB-Robeson Center.

And who needs Broadway when we have the School of Theatre. SOT is presenting the hilarious satirical musical, “Urinetown,” directed by David Kersnar with witty choreography by Natalie Malotke. Featured players include Nick Brogan, Dante D’Antonio, Olivia Allen, Nat Wiley and Jackson Pavlik, all of whom perform brilliantly. However this extraordinary production is lifted to soaring heights by its wonderful ensemble work performed with crystal clarity and biting humor. This don’t miss production runs until March 1.

Beyond Happy Valley

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett appeared together before the National Governor’s Association Conference. They spoke about “How to Disagree Agreeably,” getting leaders and the public to debate issues of concern with civility and respect for each other. These two justices are often perceived as being on different sides of the political spectrum. But Justice Barrett pointed out that on most decisions by the court they vote on the same side. Justice Sotomayor pointed out the importance of always keeping in mind that your political opponent has the same concerns that you do but has a different perspective about possible remedies. Both justices believe that our democracy is being undermined by the media-led politicization of all levels of government including the Supreme Court.

“The most fervent critics of the court have never fully read one of our opinions,” said Justice Barrett.

“We decide cases based on the law, not political opinion. We all are trying to do what we believe is for the common good,” Justice Sotomayor said.

As we continue to navigate through the stormy seas of this presidential campaign it is important that we keep in mind that our democracy will survive only if we respect the dignity of our adversaries. The more we demonize them, the more impossible it will be to sit down together and work things out. Yes, some things are nonnegotiable — advocating for hatred, racism, sexism, antisemitism. However, even the definition of these things is in the details.

A cease-fire in the Middle East is essential to promoting the peace process in the region. We support the continued existence of Israel but do believe that killing nearly 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while attempting to eradicate an organized interwoven terrorist organization does nothing but inflict harm on the two million people in Gaza, put the nearly ten million people in Israel in greater danger, and recruit more militants. We Americans know something of the process of trying to control a people through these tactics. Think Trail of Tears.

At Camp David, Israel and Egypt agreed to “recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and to begin the processes to grant them full autonomy within the West Bank and Gaza within five years.”

That was 1978. It’s time.

Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lion’s Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.