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University Daily Kansan
Friday, March 8, 1957
Has Integration Interest Died?
We have received pitifully few comments on the matter of integration.
A story on what has been done in Lawrence cafes and restaurants to further integration appeared in the University Daily Kansan on Feb. 27 (nine days ago).
The dean of students told the Group for the Improvement of Human Relations that he was "pleased and amazed beyond measure of the progress we have made in the last six months."
"I would hesitate to do anything that smacked of violence," he added, obviously referring to some students' wishes to boycott cafes and restaurants refusing to serve Negroes.
Purposely waiting for an anticipated flood of pro and con letters or phone calls, we are highly disappointed. Does this mean that integration is interesting only as long as the dean of students says something about it?
It is incumbent on everyone who has the slightest interest in equality for all students to
make use of the channels which have been made by University authorities toward complete integration in Lawrence cafes and restaurants.
If these channels are not used (among them the serving of mixed groups) then what has been gained? Nothing.
It is pleasing to realize that local eating house owners are not only considering the integration problem, but have gone more than half way to do something about it.
It is also encouraging to note that there are students of all races who feel that integration is a "must" and will take rational steps to see its materialization.
On a strictly non-academic level, everyone should be interested. Integration is not coming, it is here.
We encourage everyone who has an opinion on the matter (and who doesn't?) to let us know of it, either through letters or phone calls. Student opinion carries a lot of weight in Lawrence.
Jerry Dawson
Lent- Just Another Game
The Lenten season began Wednesday and in most of the Christian world worshippers will mark the sober 40-day period of preparation for Easter.
The method of participation varies greatly among churches and individuals. In the more liturgical churches such as the Roman Catholic Church, there are special services, fast-days and observances throughout the 40-day period.
In other churches, such as the Episcopal Church. members are encouraged to attend some special services and to observe some sacrifice through the season.
Other Protestant churches pay very little, if any, attention to the Lenten season. Some, such as the Methodist Church, have a few extra services, but on the whole very little stress is put on Lent.
On the campus, the observance of Lent becomes quite widespread. Discounting those serious and devout students who actually believe in their Lenten sacrifices, Lent has become almost a new campus game.
The main rules of this game are:
1. Say you're going to quit . . . (smoking, swearing, drinking beer, etc.)
2. Be sure all your friends know what you're 'giving' up by the constant "What are you giving up for Lent?" question.
3. Make it a contest to see who can hold out the longest, you or your roommate—anyway don't let him catch you breaking your "fast."
The players of this popular game don't have to belong to any one church; in fact this is one of the greatest interdenominational movements ever instigated at KU. The vast majority of participants aren't members of churches which preach Lent observance—in fact, they might not be church members at all.
Some of the players who "give up" things
don't really make much of a sacrifice, such as the teetotalers who give up champagne, or the non-smokers who give up panatellas. But many of them are actually sincere in that they do give up something they enjoy but as often as not consider a vice.
Why is this game so popular? It is because students are increasingly aware of the true meaning of Lent and this is an outgrowth of religious fervor sweeping the campus? We think not.
Rather, it seems to us as if this "contest" is a challenge to the student's will-power and strength of determination. Maybe the popularity of "fasting" in this limited sense helps satisfy a need to prove our strength of conscience.
In an atmosphere where indulgence, participation and enjoyment are constantly stressed, maybe we feel the need to exercise our will power more. And perhaps Lent gives us an excuse to prove, either to ourselves or to others, that we have strength of character. Maybe this is the student way of seeking to test himself.
If this is the inciting reason behind this popular game of Lent observance, then the game is not bad but merely incomplete. It seems as if the churches and religious organizations could help assuage this need of the students and also tie in the true meaning of Lent.
Much of the meaning is lost in these petty comparisons—each sacrifice should be a personal thing and not exposed for all the world to see and judge. But add the feeling that you're not giving up something bad, only to take up again after 40 days, but that you're giving up something you enjoy to commemorate the sacrifice that Christ made nearly two centuries ago.
This concept will make your sacrifice seem more important; make it mean something and yet give you the contest you have needed.
... Ad Booki ...
Joan Graham
What greater culmination to an almost-perfect basketball season than to have Wilt Chamberlain appear on Ed Sullivan's television program Sunday night!
Give Wilt a guitar and sideburns and even old Elvis would have to take a back seat.
has come up with an idea on how to improve the housing situation at this noble institution.
Our good friend Elrod, always full of advice to make good things better.
"What is your idea to improve the housing situation at this noble institution, Elrod?" we queried. "It is a well known fact."
"It is a well known fact."
quoth Elrod, "that the Oread limestone which supports the greater portion of this n. i. is oh how nicely saturated with steam tunnels. Being a practical man, I purpose that sections of the tunnels be partitioned off, and voila! underground apartments!"
Dawson
More and more high school graduates are being urged to study science and engineering at college. We're for it. With everyone in a scientific endeavor, maybe someday there'll be a demand for journalists.
We were taken to task indirectly for poking fun at the Greek Week project of sodding the intramural field. Who was it that said "We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot sod this ground?"
What has happened to our beautiful bronze Jayhawk, noble gift of the class of 1956? Perhaps it's wisest to keep it under wraps. That'll save us all from getting the bird.
This week's irony: One fellow stayed up all night studying for an hour exam the next day, then fell asleep in class.
Ad booki.
Jerry Dawson
Kansas produces the most winter wheat, about one-fifth of the nation's supply.
Daily Hansan
Rolling hills and wooded river valleys interrupt the sameness of the Kansas plains.
University of Kansas student newspaper
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news service: United Press. Mail subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year. Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturday and summaries. University hold as second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
NEWS DEPARTMENT
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check the music
of
THE GREEK WEEK DANCE
this Saturday night
everybody welcome
$3.00 per couple
8:30-12:30 — Student Union Ballroom