OPINION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2005
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PAGE 7A
February insufficient for Black history education
▼ TIERRA TALKS
I dislike Black History Month. Here's why:
- February is the shortest month.
Only commercial leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., are recognized.
TIERRA SCOTT
tscott@kansan.com
♦ Outsiders think they are educated in black history because TV shows air superficial 10 second history lesson
- A constant message is relayed in February that blacks have come far since slavery. But there is no emphasis on the times before slavery, nor is there emphasis on what happened during slavery.
erly. Of the 12 months in a year, blacks as usual, get the short end of the stick and receive the shortest month to celebrate their history. As rich and fruitful as the history of blacks is, there is no way to tell the entire history in one month. This means that a lot of vital information and facts are left out and distorted.
What is even more pathetic about the situation is that the 28 days in February are the only days that other races recognize blacks and their achievements and are partially interested in their history.
Martin Luther King Jr. and other commercial leaders, like Harriett Tubman and Malcolm X are the leaders discussed in the classrooms across the United States. Any student could give a brief explanation of the contributions each above leader gave to the African-American community.
American community. The history books forgot to mention important leaders such as Fred Hampton, the leader of the Black Panther Party in the 1970s, Richard Pryor, who helped pave the way for black comedians and "Ma" Rainey, who helped lead the way for black entertainers.
Most blacks are constantly reminded of their history because it is a part of their identity. Other races that are considered minorities only receive glimpses of the history of blacks unless they choose to do their own research of black history.
The brief glimpses come from the shows that run on television during the month of February. Channels like the Disney Channel and UPN usually have brief periods throughout the day that
Just because someone learned a couple of new facts or watched a documentary about one black leader does not mean that they are educated in the history of blacks
reflects on Black History Month.
books all have a common message. The message is that blacks have come far since slavery. But black history does not start with slavery. No one mentions the life our ancestors lived when they were in Africa. We were kings and queens before slavery started. We ran our own kingdoms. We were royalty.
The television shows that run in February and the history
Although slavery began in America more than 400 years ago, there is no emphasis on the harsh reality of slavery. Historians cannot begin to estimate how many slaves were killed from the time of their captivity in Africa to the time they reached North America. There is simply no way of knowing how many people died during those slavery voyages. If the Atlantic Ocean could talk, we could try to begin tallying the death toll for slavery.
Then again, the stories that the Atlantic Ocean could tell might be another taboo issue because no one wants to remind the world about what the Europeans did to blacks. No one wants to remember that blacks were chained together in their own feces on little ships for months at a time and forced to breed and be sex toys for their masters. Sharks followed those slave ships because the slaves were thrown overboard if they were considered useless. And no one mentions that the United States was literally built on the backs of our ancestors.
Black history should be a year-long event. A simple 28 days of charity interest is not needed. Black-history facts about non-commercial and commercial leaders should always appear on UPN. Also, if there is going to be emphasis on the lives of blacks, both past and present, nothing but the truth should be stated. It is not history. With only one side of the story being told, it is nothing but his-story.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Tuition increase hurts in-state students most
How much do we want to pay for what we get? This was a question that was posed by College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Kim Wilcox before the editorial board and at numerous other meetings pertaining to the proposed differential tuition increase.
♦ Scott is a Chicago junior in journalism
The facts have been displayed in The University Daily Kansan before, written
University Daily Kansan about by many people from many angles. This has not deterred the dean and other proponents from trying to toss in one last hurrah, a final opportunity to reach those students who may have been living in a hole for the last semester or who have just not picked up the paper.
They offered the Kansan two articles in the hopes that a quick printing might reach
The University won't be the affordable institution it is now if the CLAS differential tuition proposal passes. In-state students will be among the most affected.
a quick printing might those who were still undecided on the topic of the tuition increase. Both articles stressed that the increase might bring, in time, many things that KU students cannot enjoy now. From shorter lines at The Underground to a new and improved Wescoe Hall, the possibilities seem endless. As nice as it all sounds, this increase would have consequences for many students, mostly those from within the state.
The University of Kansas gives many students the opportunity to receive a college education at a reasonable price. For many, the University is a diamond in the financial rough, an opportunity to go to a local college and get a quality education. The tuition increase will in fact hit the Kansas students — those paying in-state tuition — more than it will the out-ofstate demographic. The increase, the dean said, would still place the University's in-state tuition lower than Missouri's in-state tuition.
However nice this may sound, it does not
replace the fact that the pay hike will indefinitely price out many students with dreams of crimson and blue. Many students come to the University for the low cost. For the price of the education, it is a bargain.
Students already on financial aid will have another burden. For many, working outside of school makes it difficult to balance academics.
and make grades. It should be noted that students fought for 20 percent of the additional tuition to go to financial aid. This will not however change the fact that the tuition increase will still force some students to work more to make up the difference in cost.
This pricing out may also hack into the University's diversity, as many students
abroad are attracted to it for its reasonable price or are on financial aid plans.
The decision points to a possible change in direction on the University's horizon. When students vote on the increase, they will be voting to see which direction the University will go in the future.
The college should not implement its differential tuition proposal. Instead, the administration should budget more efficiently the tuition dollars it already receives.
As nice as improvements would be, an increase would simply separate the wheat from the stalk more students would be out of an education. The dean and his crew have done an admirable job of educating the student body of the advantages of a differential tuition, but another increase in tuition is not in the best interest of students.
- Chase Edgerton writing for the editorial board
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Cultural issues deeper than columnist depicts
This morning I was innocently sitting in my recliner and reading the Kansan when I happened upon the opinion page. I read "Broaden world perspective; begin with Brazil tutorial" by Julia Melim Coelho on Feb. 18, and I must say that it was pretty weak.
be short sighted.
Maybe she stated her feelings incorrectly, but she has painted Americans in an all too monolithic manner. Whomever asked her those ridiculous questions about her country either suffers from a serious lack of manners or brain function. I can't decide which.
Her diatribe about American health practices and eating habits are worthy of being mentioned and her outside perspective is welcomed, but she is in Kansas, which is in the Midwest — the fattest part of the country.
If she were to travel to New York, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, etc. she would see that not all of the United States is the same. Her comments about bacon and eggs are quite unfounded, for I see that breakfast option as comfort food and her comments to
If Brazil's youth population is so health-minded then I hope that they are able to slow down the progression of AIDS and HIV that has affected that country so sharply.
One thing that I personally know about Brazil is that it happens to have a large marginalized, rural population. So large that countless American and European NGO, and Peace Corps volunteers are working hard to aid them in building a more sound infrastructure and educate people in the subject of community and personal health.
Finally, she has attempted to add some credibility to this editorial by citing a professor/countryman with whom she can identify.
I wished she would have shown a more well-rounded worldview by exploring the fact that both of our governments are currently suspected of corruption,have horrible environmental policies or have a history of violations against native populations.
Bob Evans
Senior
Social studies education
▼ REPORT CARD
Pass:
The squirrel. Any squirrel that can cause half of the University to lose power deserves props. That squirrel sacrificed its life in the depths of a transformer just so students could get out of class on Wednesday. But next time, the University needs to give us a clue as to whether class will be held.
Fail:
CLAS differential tuition survey. This may be the last opportunity for students to get a word in about the college's differential tuition increase as online polling ends at 5 p.m. today, It's a shady deal when students can vote multiple times. But not only that, administrators don't even want a formal referendum during Student Senate election this April.
Free All for
Call 864-0500
Free for all callers 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 numbars of all incoming calls are recorded.
For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
Do you find it ironic or fitting that people with pissy attitudes generally work in the parking department?
God forbid that Vince Myers read Ward Churchill's entire essay. Talk about taking things out of context - you just did. Watch out for conservative extremism.
Squirrels 1, Faculty 0.
That Student Voice coalition, man that's a strong one. I loved their platform when I was in junior high. Good luck with that one.
I find it ironic that the journalist criticizing fans for yelling profanities at the game thinks it's okay to print them in the school newspaper.
Then again, the Kansan did just say "Fuck Missouri," so you rule, Kansan.
I was just wondering if anyone else had a problem with the word "moist"?
After seeing the Jayhawk compared to the Cocoa Puffs mascot, I'm a little cuckoo for kicking Sports Illustrated's ass.
TALK TO US
Andrew Vaupel, editor
864-4810 or avaupel@kansan.com
Donovan Attkinson, Misty Huber,
Amanda Kim Stairrett and Marissa
Stephenson
managing editors
864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
Steve Vockrott
Laura Francoviglia
opinion editors
864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com
Ashleigh Dyck, business manager 864-4358 or advertising@kansan.com
Danielle Bose, retail sales manager 864-4358 or advertising@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager and news adviser 884-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
884-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
David Archer, Viva Bolova,
John Beverley, Chase Edgerton,
Wheaton Elkins, Ryan Good,
Paige Highgill, Matt Hoge, Kyle Koch,
Doug Lang, Kevin McKernan,
Mike Mostafa, Erica Prather,
Erick Schmidt, Dwin Sikes,
Gaby Souza, Sarah Stacy
and Anne Weltmer
EXHIBITIONS
The Kanan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
SUBMISSIONS
For any questions, call Steve Vockrodt or Laura Francoviglia at 884-4924 or e-mail opinion@ kansan.com.
The Karans reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
**Maximum Length:** 200 word limit
**Include:** Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
Maximum Length: 650 word limit
Include: Author's name; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
Also: The Kansas will not print guest columns that attack another columnist.
SUBMIT TO
Kansan newsroom
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1435 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 60455
(785) 684-4810
opinion@kansan.com
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