'Day of Absence,' talk by activist Amiri Baraka will highlight Black Solidarity Conference

The observance of a "Day of Absence" will be among the highlights of the fourth annual Black Solidarity Conference being held Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 29-Nov. 1 on campus. The event is sponsored by the Black Pride Union and the Black Student Alliance at Yale.

"Day of Absence" was the name of a play by Douglas Turner, which explored the potential political, social and economic consequences that would occur if all black people disappeared. The play inspired the creation of Black Solidarity Day, which is celebrated the Monday before Election Day to remind the nation of the political power of African-Americans.

The Yale conference extends the Black Solidarity Day celebration over the course of a weekend by bringing together college students from throughout the nation to share their ideas and talents.

On Thursday, the conference organizers are encouraging participants to "re-enact" a day of absence much like what Turner depicted in his play by "removing themselves" from their classrooms and work places to participate in a community service project in the New Haven area. These projects include volunteering at a soup kitchen or child care center, conducting artistic workshops at neighborhood schools and guiding African-American students through the college application process.

The conference will also include:

* A banquet featuring a keynote address by activist, scholar and poet Amiri Baraka. A key figure in the worldwide Black liberation movement, Baraka -- formerly LeRoi Jones -- has written over 20 plays, including "Dutchman," "Slave Ship" and "Primitive World." He has also written three jazz operas, seven books of nonfiction, two novels and 13 volumes of poetry. He has been awarded numerous literary prizes and honors, including an Obie Award for Best American Play. Baraka founded and organized the Congress of African People, the Malcolm X Writers Workshop, and The Black Arts Repertory Theater School in New York City.

* Workshops on the following topics: "Black Womanhood," "Black Manhood," "Children of the Diaspora and the Mother Continent," "The History of Solidarity," "Blacks on the Internet" and "The Black Professional Panel."

* An Intercollegiate Talent Showcase, featuring conference participants.

Conference registration is $40; $45 at the door. Discounts are available at $30 per person for groups of 25 or more. To register or for more information, contact Nikkena Powell by phone at 436-0959; by fax at 432-8138 or by email at nikkena.powell@
yale. edu.