The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 68, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 23, 1980 Page: 9 of 32
thirty two pages : ill. ; page 20 x 14 in.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
At the Texas Prison Rodeo, "it is the animals who win most of the events."
Events
Prison Rodeo, cont.
continued from page 8
who win most of the events. And
it's very dramatic: the cowboys
experience at the very least a good
jolt and a momentary stun as they
are thrown to the ground, and
immediately after the rider has
fallen prison clowns rush in to
prevent the bulls from kicking or
goring him before he staggers out
of the arena. During the
pertormance I attended, three
cowboys were carried out on
stretchers, and subsequently to the
hospital. Not all the convicts are so
lucky—some have died in the
competition.
Why do so mahy "inmates
voluntarily risk life and limb to
participate in the Rodeo? The most
typical reply given is that "It gives
us a chance to get out and do
something different." Other
prisoners commented on the thrills
and excitement of riding: "They
(the crowd) probably think we're
crazy, and maybe we are, but
there's nothing like it—being in the
rodeo is an unforgettable
experience."
A lot of the riders say they do it
for the self-esteem: "I'm proud to
be riding. It gives me added
prestige in the prison, and with
q$her prisoners." A particularly
thoughtful inmate said, "To ride in
the rodeo you have to learn to put
fear behind you, and as a
consequence you get stronger.
Rehabilitation works the same
way: a person has to set up his own
standards and rehabilitates
himself. There are too many
people for the system to be able to
rehabilitate."
Don Reid, who has been
involved with publicity for the
Texas Prison Rodeo for 35 years,
also affirmed its rehabilitative
benefits. "For some prisoners, the
rodeo becomes a way of life," he
said. "If they can be outstanding, it
gives them attention and credit.
For those prisoners who find it
difficult to compete in a free world
where regimentation is different,
they Tearn to compete in the more
regulated life of prison, and the
rodeo. And for one month, the
prisoners feel they're part of the
free world, not the inside world of
the prison."
The Texas Prison Rodeo isn't
unique (Oklahoma, Arkansas and
Virginia have them as well), but
they boast that theirs is the oldest,
and it is the wildest thing of its kind
around here. You can see, among
others, the Goree Cowgirls
(inmates of the Goree correctional
unit) in a Greased Pig Contest, and
one of the more noteworthy
events, "Hard Money," in which
forty prisoners called "red shirts"
vie to grab a sack filled with money
from between the horns of a mean,
1600-pound bull. And if you like
rodeo events, these contests can be
entertaining.
But as a spectator, you are
consistently reminded that the
rodeo you're watching is a product
of the Texas Department of
Corrections. Guards with guns fill
the stands, and the prisoners sit
motionless in white uniforms in a
highly fenced-in box. Even -the
competitors wear uniforms as
reminders, gray-and-white stripes
with red numbers plastered to their
backs.
—Kay Abrahams
? ? ? 9 T
• • • • •
Waiting for busses that never come?
Catching busses that are filthy, over-
crowded and under-cooled?
Searching in vain for a taxi at night?
Elect state officials who will work to
break up government-protected
transportation monopolies that have
no incentive to improve services.
elect CHARLES FULLER
State Representative, District 80
Legalize Freedom: Vote Libertarian
paid for by Charles Fuller, 3410 Marquart
Drama:
To Grandmother's House We Go. The Alley's
season opener is the world premiere of Joanna M.
Glass' newest play, directed by Clifford Williams of
the Royal Shakespeare Company. Actresses Eva Le
Gallienne and Kim Hunter (among other notables)
are featured in this pre-Broadway production.
Opening night is tonight, and shows continue
through Nov. 16. At the Nina Vance Alley Theatre,
615 Texas Avenue. Telephone 228-9341 or skip the
reservations and grab leftovers at half-price "student
rush" rates 15 minutes before showtime.
Music:
Houston Symphony. C. William Harwood will
conduct the HSO through a program of Schumann,
Mozart, Fall, Debussy and Ravel. Alicia de
Larrocha is featured on piano. This Sat. at 8 p.m.
and Sun. at 2:30 p.m. At Jones Hall. Telephone
227-ARTS.
Prague String Quartet. Now they'll be appearing in
our very own Hamman, Hall — thanks to the
Shepherd School. Tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $4
for Rice people, and that's actually quite reasonable
for the quality of music you will hear.
Houston Youth Symphony. This Sunday's program
at Hamman Hall includes Tchaikovsky's "Romeo
and Juliet" and "Elegy" by Samuel Jones of the
Shepherd School. The performance begins at 5 p.m..
and it's free to Rice people.
Pamela Brook and Eva Le Gallienne in the Alley's To 4}
Grandmother's House We Go.
The Quanapowitt Quartet. The four short plays that
comprise this trilogy-plus-one by Israel Horowitz
are currently in production at Main Street Theatre,
through Nov. 1. The 75th and Stage Directions will
play Oct 23,25, and 30, and Hopscotch and Spared
run Oct. 24, 30, and Nov. 1. Together with three
other short plays, The Quanapowitt Quartet makes
up The Wakefield Plays, a seven-play series about
the playwright's hometown of Wakefield, Mass. At
Autry House, 6265 S. Main (right across the street).
Tickets are $3 for students. Telephone 526-6706.
Bert the Beloved, a "possessed member of
the Sturdy Beggars," at the Texas RenFest.
Dangerous Corner. This is the last weekend of the
run of this "Mystery/psychological drama" by J.B.
Priestly. The Channing Players, Inc. have scheduled
two more shows Oct. 24 and 25 at Channing Hall in
the First Unitarian Church, 5210 Fannin at
Southmore. Curtain goes up at 8:30 p.m. Tejephone
622-3152 or 526-1571.
Museums:
Felix Bracquemond and the Etching Process. Sewall
Gallery now offers fifty large-scale prints and
drawings by French master printmaker Felix
Bracquemond (1833-1914). Asst. Professor Esther
de Vecsey will give a special lecture on
Bracquemond, his work, and his role in the "Etching
Revival of the I860's" on Tues., Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. in
Sewall 303. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m., Mon-
Sat.
Events:
RenFest. Only two weekends remain to catch the
annual amusement festival. Call "Texas
Renaissance." For directions to Magnolia, Texas or
information, telephone 524-0409.
Campus Theatre: 0
The Good Doctor. Jones College present a Neil
Simon play for their annual production. Based on
short stories by Anton Chekhov, The Good Doctor
consists of a series of short sketches brimming with
humor and pathos, narrated by the "good doctor"
himself (Tom Gehrlein in the Jones version).
Directed by Diana Van Hooser, produced by
Dorothy Willis. Through Sat., at Jones College.
Telephone Mr. Simon at 526-5497 for reservations.
DEMO'S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER
"We Offer Personalized Service"
Specializing In lD
• TRANSMISSIONS • BRAKES • AIR CONDITIONING • FRONT END
• ENGINE ANALYSIS • TIRE TRUING • BODY REPAIRS • PAINTING
UNDERCOATING
526-3781
2438 TANGLEY KELVIN
SOOT ft WEST
Si'XStr
tU.'i <
67 VD.
HCLCLW,*;.
"RENTAL CAR AVAILABLE"
The Rice Thresher, October 23, 1980, Page 9
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Dees, Richard. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 68, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 23, 1980, newspaper, October 23, 1980; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245452/m1/9/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.