Players Vol. 25 # 3

FEATURES
16 A MATTER OF FAITH by Vernon Kitabu Turner
Long before he founded the controversial Church of Scientology, author L. Ron Hubbard invented a new way to battle illiteracy. What happened next should send a wake-up call to every school system in the country.
28 VENUS ENVY by Paul S. Fein
Is it her hair? Is it her Amazon body? Whatever the reason Venus Williams is feared and hated on the women's pro tennis tour, neither her, her sister Serena, nor her father Richard seem the least bit fazed by it.
46 THE LAST LAWN JOCKEY IN PIGTOWN fiction by Leon Coleman
Good ole Charlie Bounce never had a dog or a girlfriend that knew that they was his—until he met "Nawnie." Now all he has to do is make the walk across the school gym and ask her for her heart.
60 BRINGING UP THE GEAR photo diary by Cornelius Milligan
The adventures of an intrepid photographer at Ralph McDaniels' upscale hip-hop Phat Fashion show in New York's upper East Side. Fine women and song.
PICTORIALS
22 Donna
35 Jasmine
54 Obsession
DEPARTMENTS
7 Letter from the Editor
8 Dateline —U.S. news and world reports
10 Body and Soul —men's health, fitness, and grooming
13 The 411 —entertainment news, buzz, and interviews
44 Comic Relief —cartoons
74 Peep This —video and music reviews
78 Hook-Up Alley —strictly personals
82 Sign Off —by Frederick Goodall