WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015
PAGE 4
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opinion
TEXT FREE FOR ALL
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FFA OF THE DAY
Props to all of the New Years Resolutioners still going strong at the rec. But as a year-long regular, I beg you all: please stop! The rec is way too overcrowded!!!
To the person about large amounts of Chinese food; you're so right! I always order a crap ton. Good leftovers too :)
In dire need of chapstick, haaalp.
Yeah it's nice out but it's not THAT nice out... like, people wearing shorts out as if it's 80 degrees... it's only 50..
When you accidentally press the main button too long on your iPhone and the Siri sound pops up in class...
Anyone else actually kind of enjoy cleaning? Like, I'm not gonna make it a profession but sometimes it's fun!
Dress for the weather you want,
not the weather you have right
S/O to the Anschutz bathroom artists. Awesome to see the University produces such quality work!
Facebook guy: if you haven't talked to them since high school why are you still friends with them?
Are we going back to cold weather now? Or is it actually going to stay nice for a while? I can never tell with you. Kansas.
Every time I eat a Hot Pocket I think of Jim Gaffigan.
Omg I just realized I never got a coupon book from the union this semester!!! Noo!!!!!
NoFreeRamenForMe
Why do tiny dogs all have to be annoying as hell...?
I'm breaking out the Valentine's Day chocolate a few days early. #munchmunch
When you see the love of your life at the Rec and you look like a sweaty sloth...
To the victims of the recent shooting here in Lawrence. #pleasehealquickly
I'm genuinely curious to see what speed dating is like. Has anyone done it?
My downstairs neighbor only knows one volume: LOUD.
That new smoke burger joint downtown is pretty delicious, but I hate that every inch of me smells like smoke when I leave.
POOPED MYSELF IN STRONG.
Modeling industry still sends wrong message
Imagine a world where nearly all women are slender, tall and illustrated perfectly by means of countless alterations, such as make-up. Although totally unreasonable, the American fashion modeling industry primarily portrays women with these characteristics. The modeling industry has long been the target of criticism for its narrow and exclusionary representation of what people actually look like.
The modeling industry is similarly unfair to male models. They might not be expected to maintain thin frames like women, but they are still subjected to rigid standards of appearance. Male models are typically expected to be extremely muscular and trim. Modeling for both sexes represents inherent flaws in the business as a whole.
According to studies released by the Girl Scouts of the USA and other similar organizations, the modeling industry promotes an unhealthy body image to the public, specifically to young girls. From a young age, girls are exposed to advertisements and images of thin, Photoshopped women, while being conditioned to believe such figures are ideal standards of beauty. According to the Girl Scouts of the
USAs "Beauty Redefined survey, nine out of 10 girls say that the fashion industry and media representations of women pressure girls to be thin. Furthermore, 65 percent of girls think the industry's portrayal of women is too skinny, while 31 percent admit to starving themselves to lose weight.
Clearly the modeling industry is in an unhealthy state. The messages it sends to viewers are problematic and unrepresentative of the natural American woman's body. Former editor of Vogue Australia magazine Kirstie Clements revealed that many models view starving themselves as an acceptable practice . even to the point of anorexia in some cases. The editor was fired following her tell-all book, "The Vogue Factor." Yet, American media continues to market these individuals as the epitome of
a major modeling contract. She's also been active on Instagram, promoting the hashtag #EffYourBeautyStandards to encourage women to embrace their bodies and redefine our standards of beauty.
PERCENT OF GIRLS THINK THE INDUSTRY'S PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IS TOO SKINNY
beauty.
Earlier this year, Tess Munster, also known as Tess Holliday, made headlines when she was signed by MILK Model Management. Holliday is 5'5" and wears a size 22, which makes her the first model of her size to sign
Even though MILK Model Management is taking a step in the right direction, the agency's attempt to showcase women of different sizes doesn't solve the issues within the industry. Holliday's weight — of about 260 pounds — can hardly be said to promote healthy images for young women. Fashion modeling has long been heralded as a realm of extremes, whether it be in terms of weight, outfit styles or diet. Just as showcasing individuals who are too thin sends negative messages, so does promoting images of those who are in the zone of obesity.
When considering that young women are so impressionable and influenced by the media, it's essential to reevaluate current modeling standards of ideal weight. It seems necessary to reinvent the concept of the plus-sized model. A report by ABC suggests that plus-sized models in many firms range between the sizes of six and 14, which is simply absurd. These sizes are about standard and worn by healthy, fit individuals. It's disturbing that the modeling industry would label such sizes as "plus size" when compared to their ideal. Hiring more models within this range and even a bit beyond would be more accurate in representing American individuals, and would likely aid in solving many self-esteem issues among young women.
ANTHONY EVANS/MILK MODEL MANAGEMENT Despite her success, plus-size model Tess Holliday still can't believe how far she's come. Holiday uses social media to promote beauty standards.
Holliday's initiative is powerful and necessary in an age where beauty standards have become so skewed, detrimental to both physical and mental aspects of viewers. Redefining beauty is a meaningful step forward in tackling the issues of the modeling industry. However, showcasing individuals of heavy weight is not the most effective solution in counter-
balancing models of extremely petite body composition. Reforming the modeling industry is a long process and will take effort. In order to remedy the industry, a reasonable middle ground must be established.
Matthew Clough is a sophomore from Wichita studying English and journalism
ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DRILLING
Wilderness deserves congressional support
Jenny Stern
@jenlikeswhales
President Obama announced his plans to ask Congress to designate the Coastal Plain and core areas of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as wilderness. While it is likely that Congress will give him the cold shoulder, there are serious economic, environmental and emotional reasons that preserving this land is a good idea.
Organisms and ecosystems are more successful in the absence of human interferences, direct or indirect. There are many examples where human interference and action decimated a population: The bluefin tuna versus fishermen, rhinos versus poachers and pandas versus habitat loss. Many animals, including a herd of 130,000 caribou, use this reserve as a summer habitat. Although human effects such as climate change will not be curbed by this reserve (with the exception of a reduced accessibility to fossil fuels), this action protects against direct interference.
Potential drilling space would be lost with the wilderness classification, but the economy would not be dramatically affected. The Department of Energy reports that this reserve would reach its full potential by 2026, a deadline when drastic advances in alternative fuel choices should exist. The refuge will have the longevity of tourism income and protect native subsistence hunting. The tourism income directly affects local villages with unconventional economies.
The ANWR has economic and environmental value, but it overflows
with a unique, natural beauty. This conservation plan would expand on the intentions of the Wilderness Act, which set aside the area as a refuge. William deBuys writes in his tribute to the Wilderness Act's 50th birthday in 2014, "The greatest thing about that great law, only one of three in 1964, is that it still invites us, even at times forces us (most of us being city dwellers), to fall in love
"ECOSYSTEM DAMAGE IS IRREVERSIBLE, AND A HABITAT PLAGUED WITH DRILLING SITES WILL NEVER COMPARE TO THE WIDE, OPEN COASTAL PLAINS."
Ecosystem damage is irreversible, and a habitat plagued with drilling sites will never compare to the wide, open coastal plains. Listing the ANWR as wilderness would protect the area from rash, greed-driven decisions. It is time for Congress to move past partisan lines and fall in love with our beautiful blue planet.
with our beautiful blue planet Earth, the most singular and wonder-filled thing in all the universe." In President Obama's words, declaring the ANWR as wilderness is the next step in "[making] sure that this amazing wonder is preserved for future generations."
Jenny Stern is a junior from Lawrence studying ecology and evolutionary biology
Arctic refuge could spur future economic growth
There has been much controversy surrounding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and whether the area along the Alaskan coast should be protected from drilling oil. President Obama recently called upon Congress to "add nearly 12.3 million acres of refuge land to the National Wilderness Preservation System." While a respectable cause, ignoring a large portion of oil can cause us to lose out on potential benefits for our economy.
Drilling into the ANWR is a great economic incentive and gives us the opportunity to keep our position as the world's number one oil producer
"PERHAPS DRILLING INTO THE ANWR TODAY WOULD NOT BENEFIT AS MUCH AS PREDICTED, BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN DRILLING INTO THE ANWR SHOULD BE KEPT OFF THE TABLE. NOTHING IS FOR CERTAIN."
Expanding drilling for oil also opens several job opportunities with the potential of 250,000-750,000 new
jobs created from oil extraction in ANWR, according to CNS News. Utilizing the ANWR for oil extraction has positive effects on not just Alaska, but our nation as well. Law Street Media reports, "Through land leasing, bids, and taxation the oil in Alaska's wilderness is estimated to add billions of dollars in revenue to state and federal treasuries."
Today's drilling technology is advanced, and the impact on the environment from oil extraction is low: "Only eight percent of the wildlife refuge would be used for exploration and drilling," according to Law Street Media. Furthermore, the majority of Alaskan residents are in favor of oil drilling because economic benefits outweigh the environmental impact. The resources accrued from the ANWR can make a significant impact on our national debt, generating approximately $150 billion to $296 billion "in new federal revenue," according to a Committee on Natural Resources report.
Perhaps drilling into the ANWR today would not benefit as much as predicted, but this does not mean drilling into the ANWR should be kept off the table. Nothing is for certain. We cannot limit our future options by preserving an area that provides so much potential for the U.S. Nothing is secure, and there may come a time when oil extraction in the ANWR is needed for the economy to survive.
Cecilia Cho is a senior from Overland Park majoring in American Studies
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GONTACT US
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ccho@kansan.com
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canneberg@kansan.com
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THE KANSAN EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansas
Editorial Board are Brian
Hillix, Paige Lyle, Cecilia
Cho, Stephanie Bickel
and Charlene Xu.
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