Opinion
Kansan
Published daily since 1912
Julie Wood, Editor Brandi Byram, Business manager Laura Roddy, Managing editor Shauntae Blue, Retail sales manager Cory Graham, Manager editing Dan Simon, Sales and marketing adviser Tom Eblen, General manager, news adviser Scott Valler, Technology coordinator
Tuesday, November 2. 1999
Seth Jones / KANSAN
Editorials
Vandalism should not be tolerated as valid form of social protest
Few would argue that the college environment is not an open social forum for a variety of issues. Student groups on campus represent constituencies ranging from KU Young Republicans to the Center for Community Outreach. Unfortunately, it is difficult for many organizations to draw attention to their projects or causes. Student groups often seek out some type of creative advertising for this attention. However, vandalism should not fall under this category.
Recently, a group supporting the end of police brutality spray-painted several messages on University buildings, including Anschutz Library. While this act has drawn more attention to their cause than
Criminal activity is not an option when trying to raise awareness
normal — including this editorial — it continues the unfortunate trend of vandalism in the name of protest in Lawrence.
When a local radio station, 105.9 the Lazer, changed its format, many students and community members were outraged. Some individuals decided that it would be wise to take matters into their own hands by breaking windows at the station on three separate occasions. Others who decided to fight the change in format thought a petition or phone call would be more effective. While
neither form of protest worked, it was counter-productive to have vandals damaging the Lazer while others were trying to convince the station to change back to its previous format.
Of course, anyone you ask will say that we should support an end to police brutality, but those who fight this cause should go about it without committing a crime in the process. Students and the University community would respect this cause if property that had nothing to do with the issue was not defaced. When was the last time there was a violent arrest, let alone a police officer, in Anschutz? There are more proactive and legal ways to be an activist for something without painting the campus red.
Corey Snyder for the editorial board
Voters should forget candidates' pasts
A small-town newspaper displays a photo of a well-known man appearing in black face with a singing quartet. Newspapers around the country report on this photo, feeding the controversy.
So starts an episode of race-baiting in Missouri politics, pulling in both parties, the media and, most importantly, the voters.
The photograph, recently released by an anonymous source, features Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan performing in black face during a minstrel show at a Kiwis Club fund-rusher in 1960. Presently, he is running for Congress against Republican Sen. John Ashcroft.
The publication of the photo sparked a race-baiting controversy between the two parties. Ashcroft, who recently has faced allegations of racism himself,
Actions in past not relevant to future political performance
denies any connection to the finding and release of the picture.
Whether the release of the photo is looked upon as hostile or not, this is U.S. politics. If allegations fly from one party, then the accuser should make sure he has cleaned out the skeletons and cobwebs from his own closet beforehand. The photo is now in the public eye — that action is irreversible. The voters have heard the stories, the rumors and the defense. Carnahan has apologized for the insensitivity of the minstrel show that took place almost four decades ago. And therein lies the key, that this event
happened almost four decades ago. This alleged racial act took place just as the civil rights movement was starting up, during a time when black-face performances were not seen as racial discrimination by many in small towns.
Since his black-face performances, Carnahan has made many efforts on behalf of the civil rights movement, and he appointed Ronnie White, an African-American, to the Missouri Supreme Court.
Voters should not have to go back 40 years to find credentials for the candidate of their choice. What Carnahan has accomplished recently, what his goals and focus have been for the past few years, is what will affect the future. The decision is now left for the voters to decide.
Tabatha Beerbower for the editorial board
Kansan staff
Chad Bettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial
Seth Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate editorial
Carl Kaminski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . News
Juan H. Heath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Online
Chris Fickett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports
Brad Hallier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate sports
Nadia Mustafa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Campus
Heather Woodward . . . . . . . . . . . . . Campus
Steph Brewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Features
Dan Curry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate features
Matt Daugherty . . . . . . . . . . . Photo
Kristi Elliot . . . . . . . . . . . . Design, graphics
T.J. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wire
Melody Ard . . . . . . . . . . . Special sections
News editors
Becky LaBranch ... Special sections
Thad Crane ... Campus
Will Baxter ... Regional
Jon Schlitt ... National
Danny Pumpelly ... Online sales
Micah Kafitz ... Marketing
Emily Knowles ... Production
Jenny Weaver ... Production
Matt Thomas ... Creative
Kelly Heffernan ... Classified
Jullana Moreira ... Zone
Chad Hale ... Zone
Brad Bolyard ... Zone
Amy Miller ... Zone
Advertising managers
Broadon your mind: Today's quote
"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of agony." Chinese Proverb
Letters: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest columns: Should be double-spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
How to submit letters and guest columns
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansai newsroom, 111 Staffer-Flint Hall. The Kansai reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Chad Bettel, or Seth Hulton at 854-4924.
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924.
Perspective
Chechens oppressed at hands of Russians
On Oct. 6th, I wrote a column titled "Nation's greedy interests harmful to world's poor." I explored the situation of East Timor and the connections between the aberrations happening there with United States foreign policy. I said that "if you are rich, you can kill people, and world powers will continue to
Bassio
Furtado
columnist
opinion@kansan.com
trade with you." To my sadness, I was right.
The roots of the conflict go back to World War II, when Chechens were expelled from their territory by Stalin only to come back in 1956. Chechnya lost half of its population, lots of land and many economic resources.
What's happening today in Chechnya, a Russian province, is one more example of this sad and cruel reality.
In 1994, another threat to Chechens began. Russian
The third answer is oil. In 1994, the Russian invasion of Chechnya came just three months after Azerbaijan, an independent former Soviet republic, signed its landmark Caspian oil contract with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company. This oil contract started the dispute for pipeline routes. Some sources say that the current conflict started after Chechnya's National Guard tried to take control of its 150-kilometer section of the Baku-Novorsisslk oil pipeline. These facts force us to think that oil is an important factor in this issue that is claiming thousands of lives.
attacks lasted two years and killed 80,000 people in Chechnya. Chechens bravely resisted and retook Grozny (the Chechen capital), defeating the army that was once considered the world's strongest and most powerful.
Why should the world care about this? First, thousands of human beings are being killed. They aren't being killed in a war that finally will bring freedom and peace but in a silly war that is happening for reasons that easily could be resolved through peaceful negotiations and talks. Unfortunately, Russian leaders don't seem to talk very often when it comes to their conflict with Chechnya. They are used to begging for money externally and oppressing people internally.
Now, once more, Russians are trying to oppress the Chechens by bombing their territory and expelling them from their homes. Russia is backed by loans from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank that surpass $20 billion since 1992. This money comes ultimately from the United States. So Americans are paying the bill for the Russian attacks on Chechnya. During the last two months, 170,000 fled Chechnya to border provinces to survive. But why is Russia bombing Chechnya?
International aid to Chechens is restricted to medical supplies and a few blankets. International aid to Russians is increasing each day.
This question has at least three answers. The first one is history, simply because history has shown that Russians don't like Chechens. This was proved by the consecutive attempts of Russian governments to dissolve Chechnya. This happened mainly because Chechens have different roots, culture and language compared to Russians in general. They have a particular identity, and this always has posed a threat to Russia.
The second answer is religion. The predominant religion in Chechnya is Islam. As Russian attacks increase, it's logical that fundamentalism also will increase, and an unstoppable, vicious cycle gradually develops. Russians also blame Chechens along with southern separatists for a series of terrorist bombings that happened this year in Moscow killing about 300 people.
Thomas Jefferson said in 1813, "I have ever cherished the same spirit with all nations, from a consciousness that peace, prosperity, liberty and morals have an intimate connection." They don't seem to have this intimate connection anymore. Prosperity is now absolutely distant from peace, liberty and morals. If the world is ultimately shaped by American interests, it's your duty to fight against the dangerous course that our world is taking. It's only through your actions that the spirit of Jefferson can survive.
Furtado is a Pelotes, Brazil, junior in journalism and political science.
People, not schoolwork should be first priority
One evening last week, I was sitting or, my bed, working on a French project, listening to Ani DiFranco, studying for a midterm. I was being a student. Then the telephone rang.
Laughing, I raced my roommate across the room and picked up the portable phone. The world as I knew it changed with my grandpa's steady voice on the other end: "Sarah, grandpa's in the hospital. I guess you better come home."
It was a matter of hours, the doctors said. So
I drew a toothbrush and some underwear into a bag and headed for the door. But I stopped, realizing where I was and what I was supposed to do the next day and the day after that. I called my teachers and professors at home or left messages on their voice mail. "This is Sarah Smarsh from your 230 class. I have a family emergency, so I won't be there tomorrow. . . . 'Hi, Sarah Smarsh here, I know I'll miss the midterm, but..." There I went.
Saran
Smarsh columnist
opinion@kansan.com
Then I went home.
Four days later, I was back in Lawrence. Changed forever, but still a student. Afraid of what I'd find when I reappeared in class, I strapped on my backpack and boarded the bus.
What I found were desensitized educators who deal with an excuse every day. Most seemed hesitant when I relayed my situation. They didn't know whether to roll their eyes or
The three-hour drive to Wichita was strange. My thoughts danced between my grandfather's liver and the tests I knew I would miss, pausing longer on the former. Once I reached the hospital, though, the worries of the University of Kansas were gone and the sorrows of cancer were all I knew.
to pat me on the back. As more than one of my teachers has pointed out, "More grandparents die during midterms than any time of the school year."
I almost felt like I should be apologetic for my situation, even as I was angered that some students have the gall to lie about something such as death. I also reminded myself that teachers couldn't have known how close I am to my grandparents, who basically raised me
This issue of credibility was not the only unpleasant prospect I faced returning from a family tribulation. I also saw that some teachers were reluctant to face the fact that students indeed have lives outside of their classes. I felt like a machine, being kicked for not doing my programmed job. Well, something called Life caused a glitch in that program. No one should have to feel apologetic for that.
A couple of teachers were completely understanding, even going so far as to (gasp) inquire about my well-being as a person. They wouldn't even hear of accepting the note I brought from grandpa's nurse. It's too bad that this seems to be the exception rather than the norm.
So please, give student concerns the benefit of the doubt, and don't take it personally if I skip your class to tend to personal matters, which are certainly more important.
I made up the midterm, got back on track,
and now I'm getting ready to study for another test. Back to being a student.
But if someone at home or anywhere needs me again, I will miss that test, too. My role as a University student is important in the scope of my life, but my relationships with other human beings are paramount. I hope that the University faculty realize this — in spite of the understandably jaded outlook many of them have acquired because of tail-spinning students and the narrow vision of life beyond the classroom some seem to have developed.
Smarsh is a Kingman sophomore in English.
Womyn Take Back the Night about empowerment
Feedback
I am quite shocked at Jennifer Roush's characterization of men's exclusion from Womyn Take Back the Night's march/women's circle as "mean-spirited." As a Take Back the Night participant, I have never got any feeling at this event except one of sincere caring, support, and unity-with the male participants.
But this is not about men. This is a about women who were battered, raped, or
abused. Yes, some men have these experiences. But the fact is, as Almas Sayeed says, that most victims of such violence are women. So when a woman stands up in the women's circle, after one month, one year, or a decade of silence, it is important that she feel safe and supported. And after being victimized by a person "who possesses male genitalia," the safety of the circle may be gone for her if men are present. That's not sexism. It's the reality for many survivors of violence against women.
What I do find sexist is the fact that women cannot walk down the street at night without fear. And that women can't go to bars or parties without being 'careful'. And that date rape is still tolerated in many circles. And that women are silenced into shame and submission.
All of this is what Womyn take Back the Night is about: empowering women. And if that comes at the exclusion of men from some aspects of the event, then so be it. But men are welcomed and encouraged to participate in other ways.
Sally Puleo St. Charles, Ill., senior