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University Daily Kansan Wednesday. March 7, 1956
Criticism- Truth Or Therapy?
Criticisms aren't just criticisms but are often unwitting tools of all of us. Usually when criticisms, the ones used negatively, come into play, their more subtle values aren't appreciated because of the fire and smoke of the issue at large. Before noting these subtleties let us break down the subject of "criticism" a little.
Generally there are two kinds, the first being criticism for criticism's sake and the second, criticism for truth's sake. It's often difficult to separate the two types since either can easily be found in similar instances.
An example is the politician-statesman who criticizes the opposition's issues for criticism's sake but who also condemns his own party's issues for the sake of truth.
To lower the issue of criticisms to a mass level we find that criticisms have a therapeutic effect—for those who criticize. Vanity is one human foible which is satisfied by criticizing. In wanting to be right, people will condemn anything if they feel the criticism will be accepted in the eyes of listeners.
Especially will they do this if the person or object of criticism isn't offered the chance for rebuttal. Also, people must have a "whipping boy," a recipient of anger, whether it be a wife, the neighbors, the boss or the AMA—anything that will receive pent-up feelings. Criticisms offer a quick and easy release for such as these.
All criticisms aren't like this, naturally, but the pointless ones, the ones filled with thoughtless wrath, these criticisms offer both vanity and modern day inhibitions a popularly accepted front, and a rather effective and desirable one if the method isn't carried to extremes.
For ages man has had to have his ego reinforced, his self-confidence restored, his ability to be right put to the test. Criticizing does all this very well. Man has also needed to let off steam, vent wrath upon some unsuspecting person or government or group.
Some whites in the South are clearly demonstrating both these needs today—the need to feel that they are right and always have been and the need to have something around to throw rocks at and get mad about.
Although not desirable, the case in the South nicely demonstrates the extremes to which people will go. Most of us do the same, with the same amount of unconsciousness, but only to a lesser degree.
When this right to criticize is cancelled, something must be put in its place to keep the people from rebelling or from blowing up from pent-up hate. Hitler is a fine example of a man who understood this aspect of human nature.
Realizing that his policies couldn't stand criticism, he simply put the Jews up as an offering to the people. He as much as said, "Here, criticize these people for taking all your money. Throw stones at them, kill them, work off your emotions on them. Just don't get in the way of my machine."
Soviet Russia has taken another tack. In Russia, one is allowed to be critical if the criticism is directed towards a non-producer, one who isn't doing his most to further the "people's democracy."
After these alternatives are put before us it isn't too difficult to choose which is the more acceptable in a democratic community. Who knows, some of the criticisms may be worthwhile and have a constructive aspect to them.
Ray Wingerson
15 Years Ago
Wilkie Electrifies Senate, Leahy Signs
After returning from a tour of Europe, defeated presidential candidate Wendell Wilkie spoke out for the Lend-Lease Bill and electrified the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by proposing that the United States provide Great Britain with, among other things, five to 10 destroyers a month. That was 15 years ago.
Wilkie's proposal came as the 76th week of British-German warfare ended in somewhat of a lull with new theories breaking out on invasion tactics.
Heinrich Himmler, German general who had cleaned up Vienna, Warsaw and Paris for Hitler, arrived in Oslo and informed Norway it could hope for no freedom even after a German victory.
Five Japanese warships arrived inside Thailand's territorial waters and Japan demanded permission to "explore" the islands around the East Indies for mining and fisheries and exploitation of undeveloped regions. President Roosevelt was worried about U.S.-Japan relations.
The president asked Congress for $41/2 million for fleet-operating facilities and bombproof shelters at Guam, and $41 million to improve strategic harbors in the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Panama.
Closer to home, Colby (N.H.) Junior College elected Wilkie honorary king and Katharine Hepburn queen of its winter carnival.
Justice Hugo L. Black, onetime Klansman, was placed on the 1940 Honor Roll of Race Relations for two decisions freeing Negroes, who had, under torture, confessed to crimes.
Notre Dame signed 33-year-old Frank Leahy to succeed Elmer Layden as head football coach. The year before. Leahy had coached Boston College to an undefeated season.
The American women's demand of selective service headquarters to allow them to serve as draft board members was granted.
A new NBC radio program sizzled the air waves with its rhythms under the direction of Benny Goodman.
True Comics was started to counteract the siege with which comic books of non-comic murder, torture, kidnappings and sex baiting had overrun the country's youth.
W. J. Cash came out with the book "The Mind of the South" to cast more light on the enigma of the South.
And "Andy Hardy's Private Secretary," one of many in the long Mickey Rooney movie series, was sweeping the country as was "Western Union." a western epic of the building of telegraph lines starring Robert Young and Randolph Scott.
-Kent Thomas.
..Short Ones..
Our nomination for the forgotten man of 1956 is poor ole Davy Crockett, who has been completely neglected since Ike decided to run.
Wonder how many students are already counting the days until Easter vacation rolls around, and also how many girls have already decided what they're going to wear to church on Easter Sunday.
With the last day of free withdrawal from classes coming up, it's about time for most faculty members to begin planning tests, term papers, etc., to be assigned Thursday.
It's getting so Coach Bill Easton's KU track team can win the Big Seven championship without causing much more excitement than when Oklahoma wins the football title.
Phog has another new Cadillac, but he had to pay a trade-in price for this one. Things seem to be tough all over.
It's getting about time to write that yearly letter home telling Dad to hurry up and send you this year's license tag before the deadline comes up.
UNIVERSITAT Dailiy Hansan
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