By Ben Todd
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 11, 1998

Double feature title disrespects Lee legacy

To the Editor:

In an institution supposedly based on education, tolerance and understanding, it never ceases to amaze me how many example of the opposite I seem to encounter on a daily basis. For example, I was looking at the current schedule of movies playing at Gallagher Theater. Shortly after the Multicultural Week films, the "Dead Lee Double Feature" of "Enter the Dragon" and "The Crow" is listed. This struck me not only as inappropriate and insensitive, but also extremely disrespectful. I mentioned my observation to a friend, who insisted that I was overreacting and that the titling was done out of some kind of necessity, such as trying to find a theme for the double feature. But couldn't the theme have been the "Lee Family Double Feature"? I don't think the descriptor used was necessary, cute or humorous. I am sure that it is evident to most people that Bruce Lee and his son Brandon are deceased. I don't think that my reaction was excessive or unjust; I believe that the presenters of the double feature, the University Activities Board and Gallagher Theater, have exercised a clear lack of respect and responsibility in printing such a title for a pair of their screenings.

Sigung Bruce Lee not only made vast contributions in the world of modern martial arts (Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do), but he was also a philosopher. His acting career toppled some of the entertainment industry's racial barriers and helped to pave the way for Asian actors in popular American film. Brandon, too, had the integrity to make a career for himself without trying to rest on the accomplishments of his father. The Lees deserve the respect that any of those who have passed before us are granted and their memories should be honored in a more tasteful manner.

Ben Todd
Media Arts and History senior