2005
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 5A
MICHELLE MY BELLE
Promiscuity unadmirable
What is a feminist? Are you a feminist? It is amazing to me just how many people answer no to this question. Upon further inquiry, I find it is mainly because of the misconception of what a feminist is. Let me set the record straight.
A feminist believes in the equal opportunity between both male and female. A feminist does not believe that one is better then the other or that all males should be exterminated from off the face of the earth.
MICHELLE GOODRICK opinion@kansan.com
A feminist does believe that men and women should receive the same amount of pay and opportunity for education and advancement based upon skill and not gender. There are of course different levels of extremes, but in all reality, a feminist simply believes in equality. Both men and women can be feminists, and both should be.
This leads me to my next point, there is a misconception that a woman who claims to be strong and independent is either a butch lesbian, or sexually promiscuous in both action and appearance. After explaining what feminism is, I hope the first misconception can be done away with.
This second misconception, which can be attributed to various pop culture icons, such as Madonna, or characters like Kim Cattrall's character on Sex and the City, sends the message that turning one's body into a walking sex object is an expression of freedom and independence. This is counter productive to true feminism for the following reason. A woman who chooses to use her body as a tool is merely playing into the hands of a patriarchal society that would like to keep her in submission by confusing her with various ads and products that proclaim that it is her body that gives her power and respect rather then her intellect and ability.
Women who use their bodies rather then their brains have done nothing but play into the hands of men by giving them what they want in exchange for power and control. At first, this may seem intelligent and smart on their part because they were able to use their sexuality to manipulate and achieve their goals, but that kind of manipulation has been going on since the creation of men.
How many people here respect Britney Spears? How many people think, "Oh, now there is a very intelligent and able woman?" There is nothing special about using ones sexuality to get ahead. That is not admirable or progressive. Covering your cleavage, dressing and conducting oneself in a manner that demands
Sampson and Delilah is a good example, or more recently, how about Britney Spears? This is an example of someone who used her sexuality to create a nice bank account, but at the end of the day, what is she really known for?
respect and forcing the world to look into your eyes rather then down at your chest, now that is something to be admired.
To be respected because of your ability rather then your appearance is what women's liberation was really all about. It was not about turning women, who were for a time private sex objects, into public sex objects.
I am not advocating that women should start wearing nothing but burkas or pantsuits or anything, but I am advocating the rejection of the idea that the sexually-explicit and provocative woman is something to be admired. This kind of woman is not independent, or even a feminist.
By using her body as a way to gain control she is still relying upon men and the patriarchal culture around her to give her validation and success through the acceptance of her body rather then her ability.
A true feminist rejects this kind of physical dependence and uses her intellect and ability to achieve her goals and desires. Feminism is not about sex. It is about equality and this equality cannot be achieved while either male or female still rely so heavily upon the differences and appearances found between the opposing sexes' bodies. Sexually-provocative women are not admirable and strong, but rather they are weak. They do nothing but hinder and hurt our nation's battle cry for equality.
Goodrick is a Meridan senior in Spanish.
CRAPTACULAR!
Seth Bundy/KANSAN
Conference deserved coverage
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The UDK both serves the college community and prepares journalism students for careers in a socially influential field. Because of the importance of these roles, the UDK must adhere to a very high standard of journalistic integrity, both in its reporting and in its decisions about what to report.
I had always assumed that the UDK did a pretty good job, but the Nov. 16 edition and an editor's nonchalant response to inquiries about the problem reveal a frighteningly lackadaisical attitude towards the coverage of campus news.
In the Nov. 16 edition, there was a story about Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline's appearance at a meeting of the KU College Republicans the night before was on the front page. This article
was well-presented and apropos.
What the article failed to mention, however, is that A.K. Gline had spent the two hours before his speech to the Republicans at an event of great significance to people of all political persuasions, also on campus, also sponsored by a student group.
Attorney General Kline formed the Security and Firm Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) Taskforce as a non-partisan group committed to finding ways to strengthen Kansas laws on the sentencing and monitoring of sexual predators.
KU Students Protect, an ant-child abuse group, sponsored the town hall-type meeting, which was open to the public, and was the first meeting of the taskforce
Legislature, Sheriffs from several counties, an assistant director of the KBI, prosecutors, and attorneys from across Kansas. Also attending were the Kansas Secretary of Corrections and other members of the law enforcement, legal, and corrections communities.
Among the invited speakers was Roger Kemp, whose 19-year-old daughter, Ali, was murdered by a repeat offender. Members of the public were invited to ask questions and make comments about the proposed reforms. The taskforce will meet several other times in locations across the state; it was a great compliment that the first meeting was held here.
Taskforce members present included the Attorney General, several members of the Kansas
Nancy Baker Lecturer Department of English
Austin Caster, editor
864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com
Matthew Sevcik, opinion editor
864-4924 or msevcik@kansan.com
Jonathan Kealing, managing editor 864-4854 or jkealing@kansan.com
Joshua Bickel, managing editor 864-4854 or jbickel@kansan.com
TALK TO US
Austin Caster, editor
SRA 1870
Sarah Connelly, business manager
864-4014 or adddirector@kansan.com
stable enough to finish your school demands and find a way to express your emotions. Painting, writing poetry, running, drawing, singing or dance can serve as escape routes for built-up emotions and stress.
Even if you haven't lost a parent, but know someone who has, you can help. Be supportive and make sure that they know they can always talk to you. Follow up with asking them questions in a caring tone. Show that you care, even though you may not have experienced their loss.
When my father was a sophomore at Georgia Tech, his father died, and the death sent my father down a spiral of poor grades and drinking.
Watch for behavior changes. Drastic changes may be symptoms of depression and could cause the other student more harm than good.
John Morgan, sales director
864-4482 or addirector@kansan.com
My father knew how much stress, emotion and depression the death of a parent puts on a child, and didn't want what happened to him to happened to me. I'm sure he'd be proud of me because I'm finding comfort in my books and my friends, not a bottle.
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news
advisor.
or mgilb or kaman@kaman.com
Other universities have meetings where people can come together to talk about their grieving, and help one another through their loss of a loved one.
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing
adviser
964-7866 on voice
I just want to thank everyone who has helped me and my family during this tough time. I would not wish the death of a parent on anyone, but I do understand what the experience is like and would offer my assistance in anyone's time of need.
A grief group could be helpful for college students who lose one of their parents. The U.S. Census stated that approximately 1 in 20 children experience the loss of a parent before they reach the age of 18. I know that I would benefit from talking to others who have already lost a parent.
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
SUBMISSIONS
This column is dedicated to my father, Theodore Harrison Garlick Jr. who was born on January 25, 1947 and died on November 16, 2005. He lived a good life.
Though everyone at CAPS was helpful, I was still disappointed to find out that there was no grief counseling groups where students and/or faculty could meet and help one another through tough times.
884-7667 or mgibson@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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General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
When dealing with loss, seek out counseling. Make the University aware of your situation. It can help to tell your professors, the vice provost and the financial aid office. Make sure that your life is
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Eila Ford, Yanting Wang, Joal Simone, Den Hoye, Anne Weltmer, Jala Parisi, Nathan McGinnis, Josh Goetting, Sara Garlick, Travis Brown, Julian Portilou, David Archer
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Death of parent yields reflection
KILLS VAMPIRES DEAD
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the life expectancy of males and females are 72.3 and 78.3. That means the parents of average college students still have lots of years to live. Unfortunately, tragedy can strike, ripping your loved ones away from you when you need them the most.
According to the 2004 Student Health Survey conducted by Boynton Health Service, "13.3 percent (of college students) have experienced the death of someone very close to them.
Most often the death or serious illness involves a parent..." That means that roughly 4,000 out of approximately 30,000 students at the University will experience the death of someone close to them, such as a sibling or a parent. College students think that they are invincible to death or that they won't experience the death of a friend or family member.
College students are just as likely to experience the death of a friend or an elderly family member as anyone and it can take its toll. I lost my father the week before Thanksgiving. The holiday was hard without him there, and I know I will cry more tears when it comes to my birthday, Christmas, his birthday and Father's Day.
After learning that my father was dying, I ran home and booked the next flight to San Antonio.
I also did a little research to see if the University had any grief counseling. I found a program called CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services).
"College students are just as likely to experience the death of a friend or an elderly family member as anyone and it can take its toll."
I knew that if I was going to make it through my father's death, I was going to need help from friends, family and professionals.
SARA GARLICK
opinion@kansan.com
Garlick is a Sanford, Maine, senior in American history.
Call 864-0500
Free All for
Free for all calls have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded. Instant message the Free for All at *at* **dktreeforall**.
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Go to www.kansan.com for more Free for All!
If Dennis Chanay has to be a woman to have an opinion about abortion, then I'm pretty sure the Supreme Court doesn't get to have an opinion either.
Congratulations to the KU Dance sport club for their excellent results in the Ohio Star Ball ballroom dance national competition. You rock, guys.
Dear University Daily Kansan: Thank you for screwing up the Cryptoquip and ruining my entire day.
I once saw Chuck Norris doing the riverdance with a bunch of squirrels.
I just called to let everybody know that a dingo ate my baby!
To all the people who argue that you need a vagina and a uterus: It doesn't kill the vagina or uterus, it kills an unborn child. And following the logic that it's your body and your decision, then the responsibility of raising and supporting a child would be solely yours.
*
Duhn Duhn Duhhhh Duhn Duhn Duhhn.
*A-Team theme song*
A lack of communication is the biggest source of fighting between my boyfriend and me. But, we sure as hell communicate during the fight.
Did you guys forget how to vote for Big Jay? He didn't even make it into the elimination round.
Is it rape if you wake up in a girl's bed and she's making out with you, and she's the size of a cow?
To whoever keeps pulling the fire alarm, yeah, you rock.
Once again, there are the fire trucks. And once again,
there's not smoke or fire. And once again, we're all
flippin' leaving because we're tired of this.
Man, I'm so stoned.
You d think McCollum would have burned down by now.
The Xbox 360 cures cancer.
Today is my 21st birthday, I'm a T.A. and I just taught a class drunk.
Wait, I'm more high, not stoned.
A bunch of nicotine-sucking jerks are outside of McCollum and they started a fire in the ashtray and started a fire alarm, and now everyone is outside of McCollum because of their addiction.
I'm on the way to put on my lucky underwear, so don't worry. We'll come back against Arizona as soon as I go home and put it on.
Moody reminds me of a great young man I used to know named Chuck Norris.
If Brandon Rush asked me to have sex with him, I would probably say yes.
What does, "There is some lingerie on the deck mean?"
Muck Fawaii.
Nothing stops a Tundra. Not even another Tundra or a TV or anything.
Julian Wright, put me down for Chi-Town baby!
If you're going to sit behind me in class and sniffle the whole time, you're probably going to get a roundhouse kick to the face.
Jade Garden needs a drive-thru.
Vin Diesel has two speeds. Walk and kill.
Yes! I'm getting some deficiency tonight!
Lindsay, our bathroom smells like cheese.
Please don't print Lindsay's last name.
Actually, Free for All caller, most adults who have portions use two forms of contraceptives, but they all because they don't know how to use them properly, thanks to abstinence-only sex education.
I wonder if Dog the Bounty Hunter is at the KU game.
I think we should start referring to Sasha Kaun as Donkey Kaun.
But I'm le tired.
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