Oprah & Denzel

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After reading the article, "The Producers: Denzel And Oprah Unearth A Piece Of Our History With The Great Debaters" (Jan. 2008), which highlights the story of the Wiley College debate team, I want to thank Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey and the many others for producing the movie that illustrates, acknowledges and values African-Americans as gifted, talented and highly intelligent people. Thank you, Denzel and Oprah.

This movie provides a renewed respect for academia and intellectual pursuit. It is so important that movies such as The Great Debaters are regularly produced to help our youth and African-American communities recommit themselves to achieving excellence in education, and to being able to reach their potential and not settling for the easy way out, or "C-ing" your way through. Just as Denzel, Oprah and others have shown through their commitment to help others, it's equally important for us as African-Americans to recommit ourselves to encourage and support our youth by helping them to understand that--through hard work, determination, persistence, the support of mentors and most importantly a strong faith in God--all things are possible. One's present condition does not have to become his or her future.

Again, thank you, Denzel and Oprah. Through this movie, your gifts and talents reveal one of the myriad of hidden treasures that continue to reaffirm our strength and appreciation of our African-American heritage. EBONY, let's have more articles like this one, articles that recognize such brilliance.

Iris Audley-Hardin

Seattle, Wash.

COPYRIGHT 2008 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning