4 University Daily Kansan/Monday, February 3,1992 OPINION LIFEIN HELL 1992 BY MATI GROENING DE OMA MAI Today's students, campus life influence tomorrow's history We all have certain images of African-American history. Most of us have been deprived of the chance to learn about Black America and what we do know has been offered through a very limited perspective. Specific pictures have constituted the basis for learning to learn about African Americans. The picture of Martin Luther King Jr. standing in Washington D.C., orating to a magnificent wave of people. Rosa Parks, searching for a seat on a crowded bus and meeting hostile onlookers. Tiffany Harness Editor Malcolm X, fist clenched above his head, spectacles reflecting a distant light. Each picture tells the story of those who sacrificed their time and lives in We store their pictures in our minds. We recognize their names, King, Parks, Malcolm X, W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker Washington, Sojourner Truth. And we have attached to these names and pictures some sort of confused notion of what it was and is like to be Black in America. exchange for a closer chance at fairness, for the scent of justice and for a gimpse at equality. But it is not only through great stories and near-mythical figures that African-American history is shaped. The history of Black people also is the story of ordinary people and everyday experiences. Behind each of the god-like figures we learned about stood countless oth- And still, behind those stood an even greater number of faceleves, but not silent, members of the African-American community. Even here, at the University of Kansas, we daily are influencing his tory because what we live will become part of history. The interactions among students, faculty and community will become part of Black history. This month is Black History Month. For a fraction of a year, we are given the opportunity to focus on the intellect and achievements of Black people. By participating in events scheduled for this month, students can begin to understand the Black experience. The University Daily Kansan will attempt to capture African-American history as it is being shaped on campus. In what may be considered a nontraditional mode of viewing Black History Month, we will look at how the lives we lead are affecting history, what we are changing and what we are leaving behind. We will learn within our microcosm on the Hill as well as within Lawrence. The Kansan will preserve a piece of the story. - Tiffany Harness is a Hutchinson senior majoring in journalism and African-American studies. THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN February cherishes diversity Black History Month is not just for African-American students; it is for everyone to enjoy This year, February is a special month not because it is a leap year but because the University of Kansas is celebrating Black History Month. This may mean different things to different people. But everyone should see it as a wonderful opportunity because it is a chance for people to learn more about one another. It is a celebration of diversity. It is a way to show that differences should not just be tolerated but cherished. If everyone were alike, the world would be dull and monotonous. The more difference there is in the world, the greater the chance for change and innovation. But Black History Month is also a time to show that everyone has common bonds, that all people hurt when ridiculed and that all people need acceptance. It shows that all colors are only skin-deep and that it is more important what is inside a person. This is not a month where one group of people is trying to raise itself above everyone else. It is not about separatism or alienation. It is not a celebration exclusively for the African-American community. It is away for the African-American community to share with everyone its history and achievements. In order to understand one another, people need to learn more about one another. This month offers that opportunity. Black History Month should not be viewed as the answer to all racial problems, but it can be a valuable first step in understanding for some people. I hope one day people will not have to be reminded that we all have value and every group and community has contributed to where we are now. Every day should be an appreciation of diversity. But until that occurs, Black History Month and other events like it should continue. Everyone can experience and enjoy this month. There are events planned throughout the month, such as lectures, movies and an art exhibit. There is no reason why everyone should not attend at least one of the events. Amy Francis for the editorial board Nintendo group offers option to keep the team in Seattle; those opposing the deal are off-base There are few ancient Mariners in Seattle, a city whose baseball team has forsaken under a course of madness 1 tle, a city whose baseball team has forever sailed under a curse of mediocrity. In their 15 year of existence, the Mariners often have been little more than a glorified farm team. But now Minoru Arakawa, president of Nintendo of America, and a group of local investors have offered to purchase the team. Seattle residents see a way to keep the team in town and remove its financial albatross. Unfortunately, baseball commissioner Fay Vincent and major league owners, including M's owner Jeff Smuylan, oppose the deal. Smuylan has a $125 million offer from a Tampa syndicate that wants to move the team to Florida. Under his current lease with King County, Smuylan could not charge more than $100 million if he sold the team to a local investor. To deter local investors, Smuylan has been telling everyone who would listen what a lousy baseball town Seattle is. But despite the considerable handicap of playing on the abomination of artificial turf known as the Kingdome, the Mariners managed to attract more than 2 million fans last year. That's more than the Atlanta Braves drew. And the Braves play outdoors on the real stuff and won a pennant last year. You also have to admire the ingenuity of a town where a bar pegs its drink prices to the perennially weak batting average of the M's beltin' backstop. Dave Valle. Arakawa and the local investors have offered $125 million and have pledged to put $25 million directly into the team. That worries the owners of other teams, who fear the $25 million would give the M's an unfair advantage. Smuylan and the owners have found a champion in Vincent, who said, "Baseball...has developed a strong policy against approving investors from outside the U.S. and Canada." And Vincent points out that baseball has had a policy requiring local control of the team since 1985. However, these arguments are far off the mark as the M's pitching has often been. At least four other cities — Houston, Baltimore, San Diego and New York — have teams with absentee landlords. And none of Mariner's owners have ever had permanent residence in Seattle. Arakawa, who was born in Japan, has lived in Seattle since 1977, the same year the Mariners docked. Since Jackie Robinson broke into the major leagues, baseball players have come from a number of ethnic backgrounds and countries. There is noreason why ownership can't be equally diverse. Let Arakawa keep the Mariners in port. Mark Coatney for the editorial board Warren commission files won't reveal anything Although the movie "JFK" has been in theaters only a short time, the list of unanswered questions the film poses is a long one. Was there more than one assassin? If so, were they? Was the shooting a government conspiracy? And why were there so many famous Hollywood actors involved? John Candy, Joe Pesci, Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, Ed Asner – the list seems endless. Of course, I am kidding about that last one. However, with Oliver Stone's blend of realities, myths, flashbacks, flash-forwards and realities, it's difficult to decipher what the facts really are. But Stone offers a simple solution. Free the files. I hate to rain on Stones's parade, but freeing the files will probably reveal the same thing Rich Bennett Staff columnist Geraldo Rivera uncovered in Al Capone's vault—nothing. Does he believe that there are some dusty files tucked away in a little room somewhere in Washington and that in those files is a piece of paper that reads: What does Stone expect? OK, I admit, I'm a bit curious about what exactly is in the unrevealed files, just as I'm curious about why the taste of Frosted Flakes makes Tony say, 'They're ggrrrl!' But neither piece of information will do me much. The U.S. government did it." When the files finally are liberated, finding all the juicy stuff should not be difficult. In fact, all the incriminating information will be conveniently highlighted — in black. "From: The Warren Commission RE: The JFK assassination I assume this because of my experiences with the government. Under the Freedom of Information Act, any U.S. citizen can request his or her personal FBI file, so a couple of years ago, a friend and I sent away for ours. I expected my file to include every major crime I had ever committed, dating back to the time I was caught stealing a magnet off my teacher's desk in kindergarten. But the FBI has nothing on My friend, however, had a one-page document on file about the time he was arrested in an abortion demonstration. Nearly 25 percent of the file sent to him by the FBI was blacked If the FBI blackens the file of a 19-year-old kid who was part of an abortion demonstration, I think it is safe to say that the chances are exactly 100 percent that any top secret information about the assassination of the president of the United States is unreadable as well. And if the documents have somehow remained unmolested, they certainly won't contain any earth-shattering information. The files, when revealed, will probably say something like this; "On Nov. 22, 1963, our 35th president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was shot and killed. There were precisely three bullets fired, give or take a few, into Dealey Plaza from the book depository or the grass knoll by Lee Harvey Oswald who may or may not have been acting independently." The reality of the situation is that no matter how many files are opened or how much evidence is reconsidered, it's too late to resolve exactly what happened on that November day I would like to know, however, why Tony the Tiger tirs so excited over a breakfast cereal. ■ Rich Bennett is an Overland Park senior majoring in journalism. KANSAN STAFF TIFFANY HARNESS Editor VANESSA FUHRMANS Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser Editors Editors News Mike Andrews Editorial Beth Randolph Planning Lara Gold Campus Eric Gorski/Rochele Olsen Sports Eric Nelson Photo Julie Jacobson Features Debbie Myers Graphics Aimee Brainard/J Jeff Meesey JAY STEINER Retail sales manager JENNIFER CLAXTON Business manager JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser Business Staff Campus sales mgr...Bilton Leo塘恩 Regional sales mgr...Rickian Lamburger National sales mgr...Scott Hanna Co-op sales mgr...Ame Johnson Production mgrs...Kim Wallace Marketing director...Kim Leecker Marketing director...Kim Cluxton Creative director...Leah Chen Classified mgr...Kip Chin Business Staff Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas can send their letters by e-mail. 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