WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2003
4A • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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OPINION
WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 11,2002
FACE-OFH
How should we remember September?
Face-Off is a weekly project of the Kansan editorial board. Each Wednesday two editorial board members will argue opposing sides of a hot-button issue that affects students at the University of Kansas. We hope that this section will help students to understand both sides of an argument and make
better decisions about their own beliefs.
If you have a suggestion for a topic that could be used in Face-Off, or if you would like to join the editorial board, please call Maggie Koerth or Amy Potter at 864-4924. You can also email suggestions to opinion@kansan.com.
Remembering without reliving is key to Sept. 11
It's too much.
There are too many newspapers, too many magazines, too many channels on television. Too many to count or even to track of, let alone to read or to watch. And all have too much to do with Sept. 11. Painting America with patriotism is one thing. But dyeing everything and every place in our country with sensitive reminders of last year's terrorist attacks is sabotage by saturation.
It's too,too much.
We the People are still rebuilding our lives after last year's Sept. 11. Twelve full months of spiritual questioning, soul searching, donating and volunteering have brought us to a much-anticipated year-anniversary of arguably America's greatest tragedy. Undoubtedly we have expected some sort of resourceful commemoration. Yet the media are taking us all the way back to Day One at Ground Zero.
Too much remembrance brings back too much pain, but no one in the media wants Uncle Sam pointing a finger and saying, "I want YOU to show more compassion for September 11!" So everyone is competing to see who remembers the best and the most. NBC promises over 30 hours of Sept. 11,2001 coverage,and most other news channels have similar schedules.
There is no doubt that every American citizen has at least one image or sound from Sept. 11 etched into his or her memory so elaborately that it almost comes
back to life whenever he or she recalls it. And it does not take much to trigger that memory; simply mentioning New York or even just the month of September might do it.
do it.
We might never see another photo of the crumbling twin towers again, but still be able to describe parts of that scene in detail. We do not need to keep seeing those pictures. We do not need to keep hearing those clips. We've already seen and heard too much about it.
We do not need full-day coverage of last year's disaster to remember the sickening feeling it gave us. We do not need to pretend like we should not think about or do things that we normally would in order to prove the extent of our sorrow. And we do not need ceremonies to remind us that we are Americans before and after every event. It becomes almost cheesy.
Pretending like today is different from any other and trying to ignore our routines is like stripping the American dream right down to its bones. We have been through too much to become anorexic Americans now; we cannot pretend like the only thing we consist of is mourning. We need the rest of our body-advertisements, soap operas, sitcoms, etc. - all these workings are what make America. On a day like today, we need the media to encourage us to move forward by remembering, not reliving.
Heather McCarthy for the editorial board
Ceremonies essential for healing
The University of Kansas declares a day of remembrance, grieving, and personal reflection, for the first anniversary of Sept. 11.
Elaborate memorials, candlelight vigils, and the toiling of the bells are only a few of the many ceremonies to help a healing nation. Dedications and memorials are needed for those coping with the loss and fear of that day.
As a daily routine consumes the American life, one must take the time to honor those that lost their life one year ago today.
Recently, the question of how to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has been on the minds of many KU students. The University is serving students well, offering a number of events for those affected.
Opponents against an overhyped Sept. 11 say the people of this nation should honor the victims by going on with their lives. However, as a nation, we can not ignore, nor ever forget this
day last year. The events of Sept. 11 changed our economy and the nation as a whole. We can not simply go on with day to day living but must stop to remember the events that occurred. Failing to do this would be an injustice to all the victims and their families.
Ashley Geis, Omaha Junior, whose Aunt lost her life in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is concerned as to whether teachers will dedicate any part of class to the day.
"It would be appropriate to incorporate a reflection of Sept. 11 into the curriculum." Geis says. A poignant gesture in each class is sufficient.
Students and the community of Lawrence will remember just over 3.045 Sept. 11 terrorist attack victims. There is a chance for each student to participate in the Sept. 11 memorials.
The University invites students to an official candlelight vigil ceremony at 8 p.m. today at the Campanile. This is an opportunity for students to once again
unite and show pride for our nation.
The University administration is supporting and assisting the voices of the students. They have heard our fear, and are trying to help.
This day is a time to forget about the normal day-to-day idiosyncrasies and consider what our nation has gained from Sept. 11. One doesn't have to look too far before they see an American flag posted, unlike years past. This last year was only the starting point for the rise of American patriotism.
Furthermore, as students we need to demonstrate our patriotism, take action, and make a difference.
Fortunately, KU students can be involved in remembrance of Sept. 11. More importantly, we have the liberty to grieve as we see fit. The support is offered and as citizens of the United States we should take part.
Christy Hass for the editorial board.
PERSPECTIVES
Amnesty International fights for human rights year round
As individuals, we will look back at September 11.2001 through a different set of eyes.
Those of us who stood far enough away from the disaster will surely see it as our country's saddest hour, while those who were touched by the death of a loved one can't help but feel this is their personal hour to grieve. We came together as a country over the deaths of thousands, and amidst all the pain, we had one voice and one unified cause.
Now, a year later, how much of that story remains?
We are still a proud country, and there is no doubt this day will be marked by countless events to mourn.
Already we find ourselves lumping
together the bravery, the sacrifice and loss of so many individuals as one great tragedy.
Already so many have chosen to turn off the nightly news instead of watching another report about the war on terrorism.
READERS' REPRESENTATIVE
I fall into that category as easily as the next person, but there are those on campus who choose not to.
Human rights, the right to happiness, security and life, are as much in danger today as they were a year ago. The Amnesty International chapter at the University of Kansas is fighting the battle every day through gatherings that address the struggle for human rights.
Laurel Burchfield
readersstep@kansan.com
The group meets weekly to plan events
that bring awareness to KU students and other Lawrence residents. The group sets up tables at local concerts, holds parties to celebrate the birthdays of men and women who feel they are unjustly imprisoned, and organizes other events to bring the issue of human rights to the public eye
its influence on officials through letter writing.
In a world where the public tends to see a crisis only if it involves vast numbers of people, Amnesty International chooses to tackle disasters on a one-on-one scale.
Not only do the members fight for the rights of a group, such as homosexuals, minorities or the poor, but they also look at individual injustice as a worthy cause.
September 11 is being called the eye-opening experience for our generation. We are not immortal, nor infallible. We are also a long way from being completely free.
Amnesty International not only becomes involved with international affairs, but also has a hand in national and
local events.
From Lawrence to Topeka to Washington D.C., the members work on raising awareness about the fight for human rights.
But the main action behind the group is
The group meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. Tomorrow the group will hold a birthday celebration for Leonard Peltier, an indigenous rights activist imprisoned since 1975. The celebration will be at the South Park gazebo, 11th and Massachusetts streets, and anyone interested in Amnesty International is invited.
Burchfield is a Basehor sophomore in journalism, education and english. She is readers' representative.
TALKTOUS
Jay Krall editor 864-4854 or krall@kansan.com
Brooke Hesler and
Kyle Ramsey
managing editors
864-4854 or
bhesler@kanan.com
and
kramsey@kansan.com
Laurel Burchfield
readers'
representative
864-4101 or
burchfield@kansan.co
m
Maggie Koerth and
Amy Potter
opinion editors
884-4924 or
opinion@kansasan.com
Amber Agee
business manager
864-4358 or
advertising@kanansm.com
Eric Ketting
retail sales manager
864-4358 or
advertising@kansan.co
m
general manager and
news adviser
864-7687 or
mollson.kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson
Matt Fisher
sales and marketing
adviser
864-7866 or
mfl fisher@kansan.com
Free for All
Call 864-0500
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansas editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
We're offering a reward for whoever stole our goldfish Friday night.
For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
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number and they gave me five different names starting with "d" and the person I was looking for starts with a "k." So I think you need to get that fixed.
This is to the person complaining about their neighbors; you must live at Jefferson Commons.
Down with custard, up for ice cream.
number and they gave me five different names starting with "d" and the person I was looking for starts with a "k." So I think you need to get that fixed.
We just downloaded Smelly Cat from Friends and we're gonna sing it for you. You ready? Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you?
(Recording) Quickly rub this meat tenderizer on your naked body. It is the only way to distract the pandas. (beep.)
number and they gave me five different names starting with "d" and the person I was looking for starts with a "k." So I think you need to get that fixed.
Last Friday I was sitting there waiting for my discussion class, and a guy bought an orange juice, opened it, spilled it all over the place, and a guy just walking by gave him some more money to buy a new one. And I just wanted to say that he's a sweetheart.
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I love KU Info
I just called the University switchboard and I think the automated voice system is messed up, because I was calling to find a
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Hey, we were just wondering who the members of the U.N. security council were, because we couldn't get through to KU Info.
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I'm the guy that called in earlier about the police doing such a good job in the war on drugs. I just wanted to say never mind.
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CNN is reporting on Gwenyth Paltrow's inability to get a date in England. Fox News is airing a television show hosted by Christian televangelist Pat Robertson. Are these the kind of news networks the Journalism school is conditioning me to work for? Is this the kind of trash culture news I'm learning how to cover?
Safe Ride failed to yield and almost killed us.I thought Safe Ride was supposed to be
I would just like to say Colonel Sanders, I love you.
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Behind every good woman is a good vibrator.
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To all the girls on campus who think they're special because they're pretty; you're really just a dime a dozen.
I watched the American Idol finale tonight and I called in and voted for Kelly Clarkson 192 times. And this is serious because Kelly is the American Idol.
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I just saw Dave Matthews, and I think I'm gonna have 10,000 of his babies.
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Um, yeah, to all the new freshman and transfer students out there, learn how to use a freaking crosswalk.
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