4A • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
FRIDAY, FEB. 8, 2002
FACEOFF
History months: progressive or pointless?
Special history months offer chance to learn, remember, celebrate
Although my normally cynical self would typically choose to not support having months that recognize certain groups of people, I felt surprisingly drawn to support the designation of historical months.
I rarely participate in the events that honor these months, but I still think that they deserve recognition and support because they promote knowledge and awareness.
COMMENTARY
Eric Borja opinion@kansan.com
have had a positive impact on the world. I think this month is vital, considering how the American government and people have treated African Americans in the past. Black History Month offers a time of reflection and learning.
I think the most obvious example to support my side is Black History Month, which I hope you know is a month. This month gives us a time to recognize African-American people, both past and present, who
Such distinction also allows people who have contributed a lot to a cause to receive welldeserved attention. Some of my past professors have celebrated cultural heritage months. I remember learning about individuals such as Marcus Garvey, Thurgood Marshall and Salvador Dali because of Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Most people view these months as another excuse to wear a different colored ribbon, but recognition months are so much more important than that.
Months like these open our eyes to a world that we might not have known existed.
I remember when, during my freshman year, my friend Kara Ryckman set up a table at Mrs. E's during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Before reading the information offered at the booth, I had no idea about breast cancer's devastating effects, nor that breast cancer affected so many women.
Those who do not support such celebratory months argue that it isn't necessary or fair because a lot of other deserving groups don't have months either. How can you possibly disregard the good that might come from month designations because some might be left out?
Any group can try to get a month or even a week dedicated to its cause. These month-long
celebrations grew from one day to a week and then to a month. It just takes a little determination.
In fact, I think we should have more months honoring other people. Britney Spears definitely needs her own month so that
everyone can experience the power and influence she has had on our culture.
But seriously, if there were a month like Erectile Dysfunction Awareness Month, maybe I would agree that all the fuss isn't necessary. But celebrating women's history in March, African-American history in February and Hispanic history in October and November are all worthy causes.Especially here in the Midwest, I think a little culture and history is needed.
If you think that these observances are not necessary, or you don't agree with the
-Bruno
JDX 2002
Month perpetuates racism in U.S., categorizes nation's history
sary, or you don't agree with the message, then don't pay attention to them. Let those who want to learn more have the resources to do so. Nobody is forcing people to hang Malcolm X posters in their rooms this month.
Like any holiday, history commemoration months are optional. If you don't agree with it, then don't recognize it. Having celebratory months doesn't hurt or single out anyone.
In a society where the ultimate goal is equality, it is ridiculous and even detrimental to continue to stress our differences. Each year, Black History Month forces us back one step on the ladder of freedom from racism.
But if you do not offer such recognitions,you will be hurting those who look forward to getting involved and bringing people closer together.
Borja is a Springfield, Mo., junior in journalism.
The basic principle
a specific month of the year to recognize the struggles of African Americans, Hispanics or women is a noble idea. The people who fought and died to gain freedom and to change racist or sexist biases deserve to be recognized. This is why Americans celebrate Washington's, Lincoln's and King's birthdays. These are the times set aside for remembrance and celebration.
But an entire month of an American culture dedicated to just one race, though once again good in theory, is just one more example of how racist our country still is.
Racism is typically defined as an evil thing that involves degrading and hating someone with a different skin color. People
with a different skin color. I people have died because of this hatred for the span of the world's existence, and this is why so many people fought for equality in the 1960s.
But racism is more than just violence and hate. It's an unnecessary distinction between one man and another. By observing February as a month to celebrate black history, we all fall under racism in two ways.
First, we are still saying that black is different than white. Black history doesn't mix with white history, or any other American race. The purpose of the freedom marches was to achieve equality between races. By celebrating those actions during only one month of the year, we are demeaning their purpose, because we are still showing that that
black must be distinguished from white.
Second, either way you look at it, one race is being shown superior over another. Blacks are better than the whites because they have an entire month dedicated to their history. Or whites are better than blacks, because if black history is only for one month of the year, then white history must be the other 11.
Why is black history different than white history? Or women's history? Native American history? We all have our origins, but the second our ancestors stepped on U.S. soil, our heritage fused into one: American.
COMMENTARY
Laurel Anne Burchfield opinion@kansan.com
American. The riots and marches taught during Black History Month aren't just about black history. All Americans lived through these events. It's American history, and that's not only how it should be taught but how it should be celebrated as well.
And this is where the most dangerous crime is being committed.
being committed In grade school, I learned about Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, but only in February. As a kindergartner, I was shown the difference between white and black before I could even form my own judgments. If we continue to teach the difference in races this way, the country will always fall victim to racism.Instead, we must teach equality.
teach equality I believe, as most people do, that we should celebrate our differences rather than try to fit humankind into one mold. I don't believe that all people are the same, or even that all individuals are equal for that matter.
But all races, all sexes, all religions are meant to be equal in our society. By continuing to set apart the basic differences in our society with Black History Month, we only continue to hurt ourselves.
We are one nation, one people, with individual roots, but one history. The sooner we recognize that, the sooner we can teach our children that, and the sooner we will come closer to stopping the hate.
Burchfield is a Basehor freshman in pre-journalism and education.
EDITORIAL
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Donor basketball tickets should be better regulated by Athletics
Purchasing a general admission ticket to tomorrow's men's basketball game against Texas Tech was hard to do, considering the entire Allen Fieldhouse was sold out before tickets became available to the general public Jan.29.
Although Richard Konzem, assistant athletic director, said the unavailability of tickets is not a rare thing with Big 12 games this far into the season, that doesn't mean it's acceptable.
The more students redeem their ticket vouchers, the fewer general admission seats will be available. That makes sense.
The Williams Fund benefits the Athletics Department with its approximately $5 million in donations each year. That money supports more than 400 student athletes and helps purchase equipment.
In return for anywhere from $100 to $10,000 — the bigger the donation, the better the chance at getting good tickets — donors can purchase tickets after the student guaranteed redemption period, but before the general public.
What's more troubling is another factor, which may lower chances for the public to see Roy's Boys in action: the benefits afforded to Williams Fund donors.
wiiams Fund members are limited to four tickets per game, but with more than 3,500 donors, a possible 14,000 seats — about 87.5 percent of the 16,000 total seats — are available to members.
We understand that the Williams Fund assumes a major responsibility in providing financial support for the Athletics Department, but the benefits that accompany donations are a bit extreme.
Not only do members get priority tickets to men's basketball games, but every other athletic event at the University as well.
ne able to come to the games except students, season ticket holders and the Williams Fund members.
Perhaps the members should be limited to a certain amount of games they can order tickets from. Another possible option is to regulate ticket sales by the size of the membership donation. For example, donations ranging from $100 to $400 should have benefits which include four priority tickets from each athletic event and so on.
The Williams Fund has such a program instituted in their group. Konzem said if a member who has purchased a ticket cannot, for any reason, attend the game, the ticket holder can contact the ticket office and they can sell back their ticket. The ticket office then sells the seats to another Williams Fund member on a waiting list.
Allowing students to sell their tickets back to the fieldhouse would be another possible option. A lot of times, unexpected conflicts arise and students who planned on attending the game cannot. Since the number of students who attend the game determines the amount of general admission seating, more last-minute tickets would be available to the public.
It is obvious that every member does not take advantage of the available tickets, otherwise no one would
The University depends on donations from groups such as the Williams Fund, but it relies on the support and the money that others contribute as well.
people who cannot afford to donate to the Williams Fund should not be penalized, and people who do donate should be thanked. One group should not receive priority over the other. Every seat in the fieldhouse will be occupied regardless of who purchased the tickets.
A happy medium must be reached to allow all patrons an equal opportunity to support KU athletics.
Amanda O'Toole for the editorial board.
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Dude, shouldn't we have lower tuition before a new rec center?
--like to go the bars on Thursday. There seems to be a better selection of bar trash that night.
This is to the person that said in the Free for All yesterday, "To the person who said yesterday, 'Let people do abortion safely? Tell that to all the babies who are so safely murdered.'" I have one word: coat hangers.
Noonan.
like to go the bars on Thursday. There seems to be a better selection of bar trash that night.
The ultimate insult to a college basketball team — Todd Kapplemann scores.
B
This is for the guy who called yesterday and wanted to know what George Bush meant by "Let's roll." "Let's roll" were the last words overheard by Todd Beamer, passenger on flight 93, as he and other passengers moved to overcome the hijackers of the plane. That's what he meant.
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I'm an alumnus of Piper High School, and man it feels great to be noticed for something.
Someone needs to tell Hemenway if he really wants to build a $1 million arch out in front of Templin he can get it sponsored by McDonald's instead of raising tuition.
like to go the bars on Thursday. There seems to be a better selection of bar trash that night.
Why do homosexuals get the rainbow as their symbol? I mean, some people that aren't homosexuals like the rainbow. Couldn't they have picked brown or something for their ribbon?
This is in response to the editorial about the commercials during the Super Bowl, in case you guys didn't know, the United Way commercial about crushing the CPR dummy has been on the air since the beginning of football season. You guys are stupid.
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If they're going to build the rec center, I absolutely insist the building elevations look out of focus with great blue blotches hovering above just like in the Kansan.
I went up to Manhattan Monday night to watch the K-State game, and this is what I have to say — the town sucks, the Bramalage Coliseum sucks, K-State's basketball team sucks, the fans suck, the officiating sucked, but you know what, that ruled.
Me and my buddies would like to thank Chris Zerbe for fumbling that 100-point basketball. Thanks Zerbe. Thanks a lot.
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OK, here's some irony for ya. My roommate's major ing in journalism and achieving a bachelor's of science. I am majoring in biology and achieving a bachelor's of arts. Does that sound ass-backward to anyone else?
like to go the bars on Thursday. There seems to be a better selection of bar trash that night.
I saw a great movie Sunday night. It was a real shocker. It was called 'Silence of the Rams.'
you know how that Nicorette gum can help you quit smoking? Do think it can help you start, too?
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Ohyes, my roommate does have a mullet, and it's the Canadian passport.
The new sex columnist isn't boring because he doesn't talk about butt plugs—he's boring because all he writes about is his personal life, which he obviously doesn't have one.
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You know what was the best part of having a snow day last Thursday? Not having to read a dumb sex column by that stupid sex columnist.
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Why can't more girls be like Britney Spears? Come on girls, get your act together.
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Lets all vote to bring Prop. 215 back to Kansas, or not back to Kansas but to Kansas. I think it would be a good idea, because we did good.
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Will somebody please tell Dick Vitale that it's Hinrich, not Hindrich.
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Hi, I want to wish Jen a happy 22nd birthday, and I hope you guys can put this in on Wednesday the 6th. This is from her good friend.
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