Following what looks to be a once-every-five-years or so tradition, "Big Momma's House" is this year's contribution to the man-disguised-as-woman comedy genre. Not the wonderful fun of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" — an Australian bus ride loaded with transvestites, nor Dustin Hoffman's "Tootsie," nor even Robin Williams' "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Big Momma" stands alone.
And she, in the person of Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence), stands staunchly in the deep South, cookin' soul food, birthin' babies and even "testifying" at church. What has brought Turner to this pitiable state is his job. He is an FBI agent.
Tough, smart Turner, who is also a master of disguise, meets his match in "Big Momma." In his first scenes in the film, he portrays an aged Asian man cracking a brutal crime ring. Piece of cake. But "Big Momma" is another matter.
He is sent to a small Southern town to trap a vicious bank robber recently escaped from prison. He sets up a stakeout across from the home of the town patriarch — "B.M.," natch, who supposedly is expecting the robber's former flame, Sherry (Nia Long), and her son. But, wouldn't you know, "B.M." has suddenly split town, so Turner has no choice but to take on her role.
Sherry arrives, and Turner/"B.M." thinks she is neater than fried mush. Wow, the plot thickens . . . Can a cantankerous southern granny provoke a sweet young thing to fall for him/her? Well, slap my grits, ya' got me!
The movie is directed by Raja Gosnell. It is rated PG-13 for crude humor, sexual innuendo (no. . .), language and some violence. It is playing at Market Square East and Cinema One.

Dear editor:
(This letter is really addressed to Laurel and Oswin Sewer Sr., the parents of Oswin Sewer Jr., but offered for publication in the Source for all concerned citizens to read.)
If you choose to sue over the school administration's censorship of your son's graduation exercises speech, there is considerable precident for you to win. I was the teacher-advisor of the Student Council at Intermediate School 44 in New York City in 1965 when the school administration confiscated all the copies of a student newspaper which criticized the administration. The article under scrutiny was written by Josh Mamis, whose parents enlisted the help of the American Civil Liberties Union and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled that First Amendment rights also apply to minors.
But, of course, you know the consequences of taking that kind of action here in the Islands, especially since both of you are public employees. Just another example of "It's all right to do wrong, but very wrong to talk about it."
I'm sorry your son's courage to speak out, his concern for his community and his sense of right and wrong have been diminished by traditional decorum. Tell him to keep speaking up. His generation is our only hope.
Carol Lotz
St. Thomas

Students who did not receive special education and related services during the school year will have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Enrichment Program 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June 19 to July 28, at Ulla Muller Elementary School and Addelita Cancryn JHS.
A meeting for all parents of special education students will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12 aat the Curriculum Center.

A membership meeting of the Film and Video Association will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, in the back room of Hook Line and Sinker in Frenchtown.
Businesses or individuals who provide services for the film and video industry are needed to help let the world know we are here.
Goals are to provide: a web site, toll free number, 24 hour answering service, advertising in national and worldwide publications, attendance at trade shows.
For information call Todd Hecht 777-4080.

A 10 a.m. meeting of the Senate Rules Committee Thursday which commenced at 11:10 saw the unanimous approval of the nomination of ex-Senate president Hugo Dennis Jr. to the Public Employees Relations Board.
Dennis, who already wears many hats, said the appointment would be a challenge, admitting that, along with serving as vice chair of the AARP Legislative Council and managing his electrical company, he also has an obligation to his tennis game, "which is no secret."
In addition to having served in the Legislature, Dennis has been both assistant and acting commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation. He was the founding president of both the St.Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers and the Central Labor Council of the Virgin Islands. He stated to the committee, "Be it known, I am a trade unionist."
Dennis said his strong labor background qualifies him for a position on the board. "The disputes that come to PERB should be the exception, and not the rule," he added.
Committee chair Violet Anne Golden asked which departments in government have the most cases brought before the board. Dennis replied, "You have given me my first marching orders." He said he intended to write the board chairman to look into that matter immediately.
Dennis will succeed Riise Richards, whose term has expired.
Voting were Sens. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Golden, Judy Gomez, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards. Committee member Adelbert Bryan was absent. The nomination will now go to the full Senate for a vote.

The Film and Video Association will hold a membership meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, in the back room of Hook Line and Sinker, Frenchtown.
Businesses or individuals who provide services for the film and video industry are needed to let the world know we are here.
The organization wants to provide: a web site, a toll free number, a 24 hour answering service, advertising in national and worlwide publications, and attendance at trade shows.

WAPA will host the Carilec Human Resource Conference at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, through Friday, June 30, at Renaissance Grand Beach Resort.
Contact Cassandra Dunn at 773-2250 ext. 4041 or 778-875 for registration information.

The GERS Board of Trustees will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, at the St. Thomas GERS office.

The St.Thomas/St.John Republican party will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, at the Bridge Club next to Mango Tango across from Randy's on Raphune Hill.
The inadequacy of the penalties levied against those arrested carrying unlicensed firearms will be discussed.
Complimentary wine and cheese will be served.

Baha'is of the VI will join with people of other faiths at an interfaith prayer breakfast held 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 11, at the Nature Conservancy.
For additional information or to contact the Baha'is of the Virgin Islands phone 340-774-3648 or visit www.bhai.org (worldwide)