THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN OPINION MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2005 WWW.KANSAN.COM BUILT FORD TOUGH PAGE 6A Bid Day shirts feature potentially racist symbol Minorities in this country have had to fight racism, sexism and prejudice for decades. These are still ongoing struggles in this country and around the world today, but some people don't realize exactly how sensitive these subjects are. The controversy about the Confederate battle flag is one such subject. The debate about the Confederate Flag has been a controversial topic, especially in the south. During the American Civil War, the South was fighting to gain its independence from the northern states. The South and North both had their flags on the battlefield, and they were similar. The U.S. flag was, and still is, known as the "Stars and Stripes." The flag of the Confederate States of America was known as the "Stars and Bars." "Stars and Bars" was the symbol of the south. GINA FORD opinion@kansan.com Most people today are under the misconception that the Confederate Battle Flag (actually the "Rebel Flag") was the flag flown by the Confederacy during the Civil War. Therefore, because the Confederacy consisted of the southern states, people say that the Confederate battle flag is a symbol of the south. Although the "Stars and Bars" is the symbol of southern pride, many people know the Confederate battle flag to be a symbol of racism, slavery and Jim Crow laws, which are all the things that the Confederacy fought to defend over a century ago. The flag was adopted by white supremacists during the period of civil rights and segregation. Dukes of Hazzard came out in theatres a couple of months ago. It was previously a TV show that aired in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many African Americans were not happy with the release of this new film, especially because the car in the movie had a large battle flag painted on the hood. Incidentally, the KU chapters of Beta Theta Pi and Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delt) decided to sport this symbol on their Bid-Day party shirts this year. While sitting in class one day at the beginning of the semester, I saw a girl wearing the T-shirt with what looked like a Confederate battle flag on the back. I looked to see why she could have possibly been wearing that shirt when I saw the sorority's name. The party had a Dukes of Hazzard theme. Melva Landrum, president of Zeta Phi Beta sorority shares the sentiments of many students on campus. "I hate to pass judgment on people, but when I see a Confederate Flag, I feel the same way as when I see a swastika. My blood pressure rises whenever I see that flag, even on a license plate," Landrum said. Landrum went on to describe pictures she had seen of people being lynched with the image of the Confederate battle flag hanging in the background. Since the Klu Klux Klan advocated the use of the flag, lynchings are often one of the first things people think about when they see it. "If they want to wear it they can, but it says a lot about their organization. I hope it is misinformation or ignorance. I hope it was just that they didn't realize how people feel about it, because, if out of all those people, no one saw anything wrong with putting a Confederate Flag on the back of their shirts, that's scary." Landrum said. She said it was hard to believe that someone would not know how it would make people feel "I'm a diversity educator, so I don't blame people for ignorance. I forgive and move on, and if you don't believe in it, and you are wearing it, then you need to understand the history and how hurtful it is. Maybe they just didn't know," Landrum said. Kristina Kraft, Oklahoma City freshman, partially agrees with Landrum Kraft is biracial. Her mother is white, and her father is black. She is a member of the Tri-Delt house, and has seen the Bid-Dav shirts as well. "I do look at the Confederate Flag as a symbol of racism. The flag scares me, what it stands for. But, I think people may have felt that since the party had a Dukes of Hazzard theme, it was OK," Kraft said. She described a trip she took with three of her friends to Alabama; she was the only African American. According to Kraft, there were more Confederate battle flags than there were American flags. "I was scared the whole time, and when I tried to explain it to my friends, they didn't understand. I just think it's sometimes hard for people to understand how some things affect others," Kraft said. She went on to say that she didn't feel any racism or prejudice within the house, and that they probably just didn't realize the possible implications of the symbol. "If they were racist, I don't think they would have let me join," said Kraft. Matthew Sevcik/KANSAN The topic of the Confederate battle flag is a touchy situation that can make certain people feel singled out. The flag is a symbol of hatred and malice that occurred in the south decades ago and, in some cases, even today. For this reason, it is important for people to try and educate themselves on these sensitive subjects. Just because it's on TV doesn't make it right. - Ford is a Washington, D.C., junior in journalism. ▼ LETTER TO THE EDITOR Condoms no help in Kansas to "fight hunger." As I was walking out of Mrs. E's, I passed two guys who each took a handful of condoms from the Association of University Residence Halls table and walked out, laughing. The same table displayed a sign illuminating the word "AIDS." This whole experience lasting no longer than four seconds got me really upset. Trying to combat AIDS on Daisy Hill is likened to handing out cupcakes in front of Wescoe and telling the takers The AIDS epidemic is so vast it's almost incomprehensible. All of our resources, regardless of their sizes, should be allocated to where the problem is the most concentrated: such as southern/central Africa. Funding the distribution of condoms to campus residents is doing little or nothing to promote the awareness of AIDS. The only thing they're accomplishing is taking one item off peoples' shopping list.Hundreds of agencies are available to direct the donations of condoms and other invaluable resources to Africa. If you really want to help the AURH truly make a difference, then you should drop a dollar in AURH's bowl instead of taking a condom. That way the group can pay for those condoms where they're desperately needed. - Corey Judson Lawrence freshman in microbiology LETTER TO THE EDITOR Professor's e-mail not private Andrew Stangl claims that Paul Mirecki's e-mail became public because "someone, most likely a Christian fundamentalist," was monitoring SOMA, Society of Open minded Atheists, list server. However, he advances no evidence to support this claim. Speaking as a communication scholar who studies new technology, it appears to me that there are many ways that an e-mail sent to over 90 people could have found its way into the pages of newspapers. both before and in response to Dr. Mirecki's e-mail. Making this information transparent would not only be a gesture of good faith from SOMA, but would also aid people in reaching their own conclusions about Dr. Mirecki's motives and actions. That the e-mail was forwarded by "a Christian fundamentalist" spy is not a valid conclusion. Moreover, it is generally unwise to consider any e-mail, especially one sent to a list server with many members, as a private communique. At this point, it would be helpful if SOMA voluntarily released the entire content and context of the e-mail: What the entire text of Mirecki's message was, the title of the discussion thread, and messages sent - Andrew M. Ledbetter Ph.D. student and Graduate teaching assistant in the department of communication studies. TALK TO US Jonathan Kealing, managing editor 864-4854 or jkealing@kansan.com Joshua Bickel, managing editor 864-4854 or jbicket@kansan.com Austin Caster, editor 864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com Matthew Sevcik, opinion editor 864-4924 or msevok@kansan.com Sarah Connally, business manager 864-4014 or adddirector@kansan.com John Monger, sales director 864-4Morgan or adddirector at kansan.com SUBMISSIONS Malcim Gibson, general manager, news adviser or molbison at kaneen.com Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser 984-7655 or weaver@kennedy.com 884-7607 or mgibson@kansan.com advisor 864-7864 or jweaver@kansan.com The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Austin Caster at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com. 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Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded. Instant message the Free For All at "udkfreeorall." Broaden your horizons, Free for All! A snowflake just hit me in the eyeball Why should people be sad about Nick and Jessica? She's back on the market, baby! Way to beat up Western Illinois, Donkey Kaun! It's on like Donkey Kaun. Please tell me I did not just see a Republicans for Voldemort bumper sticker. I just saw a horse eating in the Union. Who died and made Chuck Norris the Free for All God? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the best movie ever made. I'm in love with my best friend's girlfriend. There's no way I'm going to be able to wait until March to see what happens on Prison Break Illusions, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money. Or cocaine. Man, I am so sober! I'm sorry, I'm actually hammered. Moody Maniacs should change their name to the Jimmy Dean Maniacs Does it bother anyone else that the sauce is next to the plates rather than the spaghetti being next to the plates? Hurray! Jessica Simpson is available again! If a fat man comes down your chimney and tries to stuff you in a bag, don't freak out, because I asked for you for Christmas. This is my opinion. I'm at the bowling alley, and the girl next to me is much better than I am. Dr. Mirecki is everything that's wrong with the liberals. To the guy who helped me out on my scooter, thanks. All I'm got to say is, I wouldn't mind tasting your bath water. Case and Giddens look so much like same person, you ask one of them if they want ice cream, they both say yes. wonder if people in Canada call 50 Cent 78.2 Cent. Team Rocket, Team Rocket is blasting off again! I would name it "The Shredder." John Wilkes Booth, the actor. There was never a villain in Care Bears, except when Share Bear wasn't sharing. Kill the potholes, kill the potholes, kill the potholes. Muck my fantasy football team. You'd think he'd figure it and put two and two together, but he's a basketball player. Two and two to him is like four points. To all the freshman that attend basketball games: It's not necessary to shout obscenities every time a bad call is made. My roommate and I just cleaned our room and now we aren't depressed. It's pretty nice. M Dic of We had a total old school funk dance party in our room last night, and it was amazing! D — S a su ch mee Steven Vinson is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. Micah Downs, you're a pimp. Will you marry me? Word of advice: Don't have drunk conversations with your brother in which you try to convince him you are a thug and that you love him more than dolphins love tune. Is there any way to get my name on the liver transplant list now so that when I need a new one in 15 years I'll be at the top of the list? eth Julian Wright is Luigi to Mario Chalmer's Mario. 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