4 Wednesday. February 3, 1993 OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN IN OUR OPINION Lobby Day should give students an incentive It is time for students to realize that until we flex our muscles, we will be taken for granted in the Legislature. In the last election, although improved, the percentage of eligible voters in our age group actually going to the polls was the worst out of all age groups. Furthermore, we tend to be all bark and no bite. We claim to be concerned about a myriad of issues, but when it comes time for action and not just talk, we fall painfully short. This is why Monday offers the perfect opportunity to redeem ourselves. Associated Students of Kansas, ASK, is holding its annual "Lobby Day" in Topeka. Since the mid-1980s, the student-lobbying groups of the six Regents schools in Kansas have chosen one particular day during the legislative session to mobilize students in Topeka. This is done with the hope of increasing legislative support of higher education in Kansas, which during the last few years has been consistently overlooked as state monies have been squeezed tight. Since 1983, funding of the operating budgets at the Regents institutions in Kansas has increased only 82 percent as compared with a 108 percent increase in funding of operating budgets statewide. In fact, compared with state funding of education as a whole, higher education has continued to get the short end of the stick. Since 1983, the Regents institutions have only received a 46 percent increase in aid from the state general fund, while state aid to unified school districts has increased by 110 percent and to community colleges by 120 percent. While many will blame this on tough economic times, our peer institutions have not necessarily faced the same difficulties. A study done by Illinois State University shows that in the last two years, only one of the University of Kansas' five peer institutions (the University of Iowa) has received a smaller increase in state allocations. During the last 10 years, state allocation increases at peer schools such as the University of North Carolina and the University of Oregon have been nearly double that of KU. If we want to compete with these schools, we must work for a commitment from our Legislature. The Lobby Day activities are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday in Topeka. In the morning, students will have the opportunity to speak with legislators. In the afternoon, those discussions will continue, along with a press conference and featured speakers. In an effort to prepare students for the day, there will be a brief informational meeting for all interested at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Walnut Room of the Kansas Union. Any questions can be directed to the directors of ASK, Kathryn Price or John Schwartz at 864-3710. The hard, political truth is that unless we as students make ourselves noticed, we will be overlooked. The Legislature and the governor are interested in getting re-elected. So unless we convince them that students are an integral part of their success or failure, they will allocate state money to someone who is interested. Attend Lobby Day on Monday JEFF REYNOLDS FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD Kansan Columnists: Steve Chapman, J.R. Clairborne, Lisa Cosmillo, Andrew Gilman, Francesca Glyn-Jones, Cecile Julian, Ann Jurcyk, Marvin McNett, Shelly Solon, and Julie Wasson. Kansan Cartoonists: 21 Michael Irvin, Michael Paul, David Rosenfield, Moses Smith and Rob Tapley Latest Madonna movie perpetuates rape myths In a scene in Madonna's newest movie, "Body of Evidence," her lawyer, played by Willem Dafoe, becomes extremely angry with Madonna, throws her down and forces her into having sex. At the beginning, she's mad. By the end, she's glad. Hey, that's not how all the rape survivors I know explain their experiences. But why would they? This wasn't rape. Madonna's character always had sex like this. She had sex with him before. Usually she was the aggressor, tying guys up. Now, the tables were turned. In various circles of campus life, we probably have heard about rape and rape myths. Rape myths generally are defined as stereotypes or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists. A group of women in one of my classes was discussing this scene and how movies like "Body of Evidence" portrait women enjoying violence and violent sex. As talk continued, one question loomed in my mind: Is the media satisfying readers' needs and interests with films like this or are they gratuitously spreading rape myths and sexual stereotypes? I know the media, whether print, broadcast or film, did not create people's interest in sex and violence and combinations of the two. So when can the line be drawn between sparking an audience's interest and perpetuating harmful myths? A brief list of commonly used myths: The woman deserved it. She wanted it. She came home with me so she wanted to have sex. She didn't fight it. She was asked for it. She enjoyed it. Take Madonna's character in "Body of Evidence." Madonna likes kinky sex, bondage with handcuffs, ropes and all. Because I don't want to spoil this effective commentary on U.S. society, I won't tell you the plot. But that one scene clearly sticks in my mind. The enjoyment myth seems to be a favorite one of directors of late. This movie took prevalent ideas about rape and female sexuality and put them on the big screen. It effectively blurred the lines between sex and violence so rape seemed an absurd conclusion for the audience to make. Not only did she enjoy it, but she was promiscuous and liked it violent — one of those kinds of women. She was domineering, evil and mischievous. She deserved it. Aside from my feminist bias, I'm sure nobody likes rape or deserves it. But, it's frightening because I know this movie didn't introduce this idea. The screenwriter's and director's imaginations were not at work when creating this scene. They took what people think and hear everyday. They did not create the concept. So no one can blame this movie for creating rape myths. No one can blame any medium for creating rape myths. As tiresome as the idea may seem, society and traditional beliefs about sex roles and sexuality gave birth to rape myths. We hear them everywhere. Everyone at one time probably has believed or quoted one. Our society never has talked about or dealt with sexuality in an upfront manner, much less dealt with rape in that way. Instead of acknowledging the problem of rape, our society classifies rape as a sex act rather than a violent act. Therefore, rape is diluted with our contradictory beliefs about sexuality. Media can be blamed only for what they control. The problem is society. The movie is only imitating that. But if this piece of art is imitating life, maybe it should actually do so instead of acting out a rape myth. Even murdering, domineering women do not enjoy rape. Exaggeration and fantasy are necessary ingredients in any movie. But using an exaggeration of sexual activities and preferences to include women enjoying rape is not only harmful but unlikely. The writer and director thought a little extra sex couldn't hurt. The audience would like that. But what they portrayed was not sex like the sex Madonna's character regularly engaged in. It was rape. This is where the film industry, in this case, becomes responsible for perpetuating incorrect, damaging information regardless of whether it Shelly Solon is a Wheeling, Ill., senior major in Journalism. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE producers and consumers. The surplus in the market is the main cause for the deterioration of prices and a reduction of production by all OPEC members will stabilize them. both oil producers and consumers. A war is being waged against OPEC, and member countries must stick together so as to avoid any repercussions. Saudi Arabia's call for OPEC members to cut down oil production by a million barrels daily is realistic and timely. This call serves the interests of preludes for an all-out war against OPEC, which could be won, if member countries came together to have the final say in oil matters. Surplus in oil production hurts OPEC The attempt to belittle OPEC and the imposition of carbon taxes are But if conflicts and political differences continue among OPEC members, the oil-producing countries will ultimately become vulnerable units. AI-Rlyadh Jiddah, Saudi Arabia Jan. 26 Al-Riyadh EDITORIAL EDITOR Superfan? More like Superego If you see Joe Zielinski, would you shap him? Yes, the man they refer to as "Captain Jayhawk" and "Superfan" must have the world's most bloated ego of himself and his contributions as a Kansas basketball fan. I think almost everyone knows the story. Zielinski, the self-appointed god of Jayhawk fans, decided to reverse the Kansas and Guest signs on the north scoreboard during the loss to Long Beach State a week and a half ago. Promptly, Bob Frederick, athletic director, had Zielinski apprehended by security guards. Frederick then decided that Zielinski should lose the privilege of visiting the field house for the rest of the basketball season. Now what really chaps me about Zieliński is the uppity attitude he has taken toward the suspension. It was much like, "How can I, Captain Jayhawk Joe, be suspended from my roost?" It is amazing what happens when people cut a basketball in half, tie an elastic strap to it and affix it under their chins. Zielinski and many of his followers consider themselves "Superfans." He claims that he has camped out, dressed up and supported Jayhawk basketball for years without asking for anything in return. So what? I can't begin to count the number of people I know who have done the very same things. Thousands of people live, eat and breathe for game day at the University of Kansas. However, they don't seem to have to break rules and then whine about the repercussions like Zielinski has. My esteemed colleague, David Mitchell, in his column in support of Zielinski, pointed out that former KU forward Mark Randall considered KU fans the best in the nation. I am in absolute agreement. KU fans are the best in the nation because they support their team enthusiastically. They are also the best because they recognize good play by both teams, are not destructive and don't throw coins at opposing players. Clear and simple. Zielinski broke a rule. He said he knew it wasn't right, but he did it anyway. Zielinski said, "I hope they think about it before they (the Athletic Department) do it (the suspension). I think it would be a big loss for the field house." According to Zielinski, the big loss will be him. No longer will he be able to illegally roam the student section (Zielinski has already graduated) and be tossed in the air, cape and hat in tow, to the chants of "Hev!" Mitchell pointed to all the great things that Zielinski had done over the years for KU hoops. No one is irreplaceable. He excites the crowd. The cheerleaders can do this. He's thrown in the air. I live with a guy who weighs a buck-five, he'll do fine. And he carted Crimson Girls back from Indianapolis after the Jayhawks appeared in the 1991 Final Four. I wasn't in Indy for the Final Four, but I have several friends who were, all of whom gladly volunteered to take the Crimson Girls wherever they want to go. All basketball fans deserve credit for their commitment to Jayhawk basketball. Together they create one of the greatest environments in the United States. 22 "I almost's a suspension a big loss!" No way. But don't worry, lose, next step. I should be safe! Editorial editor Stephen Martin is an atluate junior major in political science. GREG FARMER Editor GATLE OSTERBERG Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser BILL SKEET. Technology coordinator KANSAN STAFF Editors Asast. Managing Justin Knupp News Montana Gustafson David Mitchell Editorial Stephen Martino Campus KC Trauner Sparrow Mitchell Photo Mark Rowlands Features Lynne McAdoo Graphics Dan Schauer Wire Tiffany Laash Nurt Assistant Editors Assoc. Editorial Chris Mooser Assoc. Campus Jon Harder Assist. Campus Christopher Lauer Stacy Morford Assoc. Sports David Bartkowski Reporters Vicki Bode Mark Button Jess DeLartan David Dorsey Matt Doyle Dan England Ben Slaughter Mike Davis Will Levine Frank McCleary Terilyn McConnick Brady Praser Jim Reece ... Brett Riggs Todd Selfert ... 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