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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014
PAGE 4A
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opinion
TEXT FREE FOR ALL
Yay GMOs! Yay science!
Text your FFA submissions to (785)289-8351 or at kansan.com
My response to Tuesday's letter to the editor: please stop relying on the administration to fix our problems. Let's do something about it ourselves.
I like that Cards Against Humanity is almost as much fun to read as it is to play. Almost...Bees?
Follow @KU_squirrels! ROCK CHALK SQUIRRELS. Squirrels of KU is making a comeback.
SafeRide is more dependable than my boyfriend. Sad face.
Target sells little fans that plug into your computer via USB if you're stuck in a hot lecture hall.
I've become a master at illegally parking, but I can't tweet about it because KU parking follows me on Twitter.
Yall just had your first exam. I've already had two and another one next week!
I'm nearly 10 minutes late to class when I realize my professor is walking behind me. We're both doing college right, bro!
Do you think my teacher will buy "i was busy watching the Royals win" as an excuse for why I didn't study for my midterm?
Dr. Reed IS an awesome ABSC professor, but his good fashion sense does help some of us stay awake during class at 4 p.m. on a Thursday.
Am I just crazy, or is the little red goal-post thing on top of the Chi O fountain new?
I want to make out with all the new trees on campus I LOVE THEM
I can't be the only one who thinks UPS delivery guys are hot.
Thanks to the nice guy who held the door open for me. To the other 4 guys who walked in the out door thereby preventing me from exiting, you guys suck.
Happy Halloween!!! It is Halloween from now until the end of the month.
Walked by a Google street view car today. I'll remember all of you little people when I'm famous.
Could have done without three nail-biting extra innings...but...
ROYALS IN THE PLAYOFFS!!
HOORAAAYYY!
I love watching people try to open the wrong end of glass doors on campus
Bless the guys who can rock a man bun.
America needs to re-examine its prison systems
Worldwide, the United States has the largest proportion of its population in prison, according to the International Centre for Prison Studies. Attorney General Eric Holder recently made news, claiming America is making progress in lowering the number of incarcerations as well as lowering the crime rate. Though these statements are accurate, the American prison system is still burdened with fundamental flaws. It is time for America to reevaluate how it handles crime and punishes its citizens.
In the 1980s, the United States began to adopt a "tough on crime" approach in an attempt to decrease the high crime
rates. These policies have little proven effect on crime rates, and have resulted in overcrowded prisons, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council. Today, one in every 100 adults is incarcerated. Kansas' prisons, which have received little attention nationally, are currently over capacity by about 230 people. California, one of the worst offenders, was ordered by a federal judge last year to release 40,000 prisoners because of severe overcrowding, according to the ALEC.
The "tough on crime" policies have done little to lower crime rates and have contributed to discrimination in the American legal system. African Americans represent a disproportionate amount
ot the prison population. A study by the Poverty Action Lab found 40 percent of those in prison are African American, while less than 13 percent of America's population is black. Though this could be explained by a variety of factors,the study also found African Americans tend to receive harsher sentences than their white counterparts for similar crimes.The average black male has a 1-in-3 chance of going to prison in his lifetime compared to a 1-in-17 chance for white males. These facts add
a further burden to the already difficult process many people of color face when trying to pursue an education or other opportunities. Additionally, disenfranchisement laws for felons, which many states still enforce, affect African Americans far more than whites.
It is unacceptable that one of the world's most developed nations has such a backwards criminal justice system. As Holder stated, "[tough on crime policies have] perpetuated a destructive cycle of poverty, criminality and incarceration that has trapped countless people and weakened entire communities particularly communities of color."
The justice system needs to be reformed.
Rehabilitation, which has been proven to be far more effective than simple imprisonment, needs to be made a priority. Teaching these individuals how to reintegrate into society is more important than simply locking them away. America has been making progress in this regard, and Holder is on the correct path. If our country continues to move in this direction, we will have a justice and incarceration system that is more effective and humane toward its citizens.
Ike Uri is a sophomore from Concordia studying sociology
Beauty costs are rising,but consumers should not submit
What does it cost to be beautiful? Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my mom telling me, "Beauty knows no pain." Well, nowadays, beauty means pain and spending a lot of money. Getting your hair styled, nails manicured and eyebrows waxed ends up costing quite a bit. But women today are convinced that we need every beauty product out there, and it is costing a fortune.
The beauty industry constantly throws new products at customers. They promise buyers that their product can make you look younger, thinner, tanner—the list goes on. Each beauty company will convince you that their product is the best on the market, that you need it to be beautiful.
But why are we spending so much money on what the beauty industry is telling us we need? I don't think it is necessary for any woman to be using cellulite rubs or getting their eyebrows threaded just because the beauty
industry is telling us that it is necessary. It is a waste of good money.
can.
The media plunges right into the beauty industry's web. Internet, television, magazines, etc., constantly tell us to buy the next new product. With media hounding its consumers, it becomes difficult, as a consumer, to keep up financially. For example, the beauty industry is currently raving about famous shoe designer Christian Louboutin's new nail polish, which costs a whopping $50 for a .04 fluid ounce bottle. The media and beauty industry is telling us that this nail polish is worth the money, but in my eyes, it is just nail polish. Consumers are paying for the brand name and designers jack up prices because they know they
As college students, we should be spending less money on bronzers, eye shadows, teeth whiteners and more, and should be saving money for our future. Instead of spending that $50 on Dior bronzer or $40 on Chanel mascara, put that money in the bank. Save for a vacation, to pay off student loans once you graduate, or for a more meaningful purchase
When it comes down to it, most college students can't afford to keep up with the beauty industry. Every day, advertisements and Photoshop remind us that we "need" something to make us beautiful. Well, I think everyone is beautiful without a face caked with makeup. By not buying that new nail polish or mascara, we can be saving our money for less superficial things.
Madeline Umali is a sophomore from St. Louis studying journalism
4.1.2 确定概率分布的数学期望
FFA OF THE DAY
Some of y'alls Royals gear look like it was purchased yesterday but that's none of my business.
CHIRPS BACK
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What lessons did freshman year teach you?
Freshman year provides important life lessons
When people ask what year I am in school,
responding with "junior" is hard to get used to. It is startling to be looking back on my first two years of college already, since I never thought I would make it this far. When I was a freshman I felt so lost and didn't know what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be or even how to study.
The funny thing is most freshmen feel this way, but at the time no one would admit it. I always felt like I was the only one struggling; now I know otherwise. I think it's hard to admit you're having a hard time, especially when you're not used to it. Classes without required attendance, a great deal of free time and free range to party as much as I want were the three key components to my "success." Sound familiar, anyone?
We all, for the most part, go through this slump. However, I believe this slump plays an important role in shaping who we become. I think a lot of people need to "lose themselves" for a little bit in order to realize what they want in life. Freshman year was good for me, but I would never want to relive it. It would be like going
My advice to freshmen is to keep having fun, but not too much. Don't forget why you came to college. If you feel lost now, you will eventually find yourself along the way by meeting all sorts of different people and encountering a variety of new experiences. It will be exhausting and stressful, but most importantly, a lot of fun. Don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way; you will learn from each one.
By Molly Smith
@mollmsmith
All of the not-so-great things we go through in life teach us something. Everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe that. These experiences have brought me the clarity and happiness I have today about where I'm going and who I am becoming. I no longer question my views or what I want.
back and reliving those dreadful middle school days when everyone was uncomfortably hormonal and embarrassed about their braces.
Molly Smith is a junior from Lenexa studying speech, language and hearing sciences
Emma LeSault, editor-in-chief elegault@kansan.com
Madison Schultz, managing editor mschultz@kansan.com
@KansanOpinion Freedom to do what you want is a double edged sword. It can make you or break you!
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@Ben_Samson
@photographyjew
@KansanOpinion Being sick without your mom sucks.
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THE KANSAN EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansan
Editorial Board are Emma
LeGault, Madison Schultz,
Cecilia Cloah, Hannah Barling
and Christina Carrerea.
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