2008 Woodie Awards
Angels follow Tony Kushner from Poughkeepsie to L.A.
Melissa Davis
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: Features
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"And the winner is ...'Angels In America.'" This phrase was heard a total of 11 times at the Fifty-Sixth Annual Emmy Awards this year. Students at Marist College had the honor of hearing Tony Kushner, the author of this ground-breaking screen-play, last Thursday in the Nelly Goletti Theatre, courtesy of the Student Programming Council and the Marist Honors Program.
Kushner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, spoke on many issues which ranged from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the president, the education system, and even managed to throw in a dream sequence. Kushner wowed the audience with his up-front views and his remarkable way with words. The words "extreme" and "outrageous" barely do his narration justice. He compared our current president George W. Bush to a devolving parasitic organism then proceeded to comment, "I watched him address the country with that ever-present smirk, the one that takes the place of intelligence." Kushner spoke to an eager crowd that devoured every word.
Kushner also made a point of encouraging students to take the power of knowledge into their own hands to make positive changes in our world. He questioned our choice of channels for receiving information, saying, "Most of us get our news from the comedy channel, and though I love Bill Maher, maybe it is not the best place." He went on to express his belief that voting is a fundamental aspect of life in a democratic society, and to urge every student to take advantage of this right and privilege.
Kushner left the audience with an optimistic note: "The arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice." Well said, Mr. Kushner.
Kushner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, spoke on many issues which ranged from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the president, the education system, and even managed to throw in a dream sequence. Kushner wowed the audience with his up-front views and his remarkable way with words. The words "extreme" and "outrageous" barely do his narration justice. He compared our current president George W. Bush to a devolving parasitic organism then proceeded to comment, "I watched him address the country with that ever-present smirk, the one that takes the place of intelligence." Kushner spoke to an eager crowd that devoured every word.
Kushner also made a point of encouraging students to take the power of knowledge into their own hands to make positive changes in our world. He questioned our choice of channels for receiving information, saying, "Most of us get our news from the comedy channel, and though I love Bill Maher, maybe it is not the best place." He went on to express his belief that voting is a fundamental aspect of life in a democratic society, and to urge every student to take advantage of this right and privilege.
Kushner left the audience with an optimistic note: "The arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice." Well said, Mr. Kushner.