4A the university daily kansan
opinion
wednesday, september 24, 2003
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This is the word of advice to all pedestrians on campus: When you get in an altercation with a two-ton hunk of metal, you will lose.
I personally think that Janet Reno is really hot, and that is the only reason why I would go and see her.
I was just calling to say thanks to the sharks that ran through my chemistry class today at 9 o'clock. That made my day.
perspective
In my high school, the slower you walked to classes, the cooler you were. If that is still the same I may be the coolest person on campus.
perspective
Save a tree and feed a beaver
I was wondering why the Frisbee kept getting bigger; then it hit me.
perspective
I accidentally left naked pictures of myself on a disc in Mallot Hall. Has anyone seen my disc?
perspective
If at first you don't succeed, cheat, repeat until caught and then lie.
--perspective
correction
Tuesday's opinion page contained an error, Ben McCarthy's column, "Remember what Reno represents," stated that Janet Reno would visit the University Wednesday night. Reno visited Tuesday night.
sack's view
...EXCEPT WHEN I OPEN THE NEWSPAPER.
OR WATCH THE EVENING NEWS.
OR SEE THE TOWERS IN AN OLD MOVIE.
OR GO TO THE AIRPORT.
OR DRIVE PAST A FIRE STATION.
OR SING THE ANTHEM AT A BALLGAME.
OR SEE A PHOTO OF NEWYORK'S SKYLINE.
OR LISTEN TO TALK RADIO.
OR BRROWSE NONFICTION TITLES AT BOOKSTORES.
OR SHOP FOR DUCT TAPE.
OR PUT ON A PATRIOTIC T-SHIRT.
OR CONSIDER PLACES FOR VACATIONS.
OR SEE AN AIRPLANE OVER THE CITY.
OR HEAR MORE THAN ONE SIREN.
OR WORRY ABOUT OUR TROOPS.
OR HAVE BUSINESS IN A SKYSCRAPER.
OR GO THROUGH A METAL DETECTOR.
OR NOTICE SECURITY TIGHTEN AT WORK.
OR USE BOXCUTTERS FOR ANYTHING.
OR SEE WANTED POSTERS AT THE POST OFFICE.
OR FRET ABOUT OUR KIDS' FUTURE.
OR OVERHEAR COMMENTS ABOUT ARABS.
OR SEE FLAG DECALS EVERYWHERE.
OR LISTEN TO POLITICAL SPEECHES.
OR PLAY SPRINGSTEEN'S TRIBUTE CD.
OR READ CARTOONS LIKE THIS ONE.
'New Americans' help redefine values, challenge stereotypes
COMMENTARY
America is a country where many ethnicities and cultures coexist. American values are always being redefined; individual ideas materialize and overcome challenges. Then people pour fresh ideas into the ethnic melting pot. The color of the pot varies, but people in the United States are challenging pre-existing values.
Kengo Terada
opinion@kansan.com
This is unlike Japan, which has a monoculture. Most of the country's citizens are Japanese. They speak the same language and share the same consensus.
New Americans are one of the main factors redefining American values. New Americans have different ethnic backgrounds, such as Asian-American, Latino-American, Arabic-American and every sort of immigrant. What they challenge, overcome and rebuild can be a dynamic factor in redefining American values.
rant, students find examples of exotic new American atmospheres.
The powers new Americans have are prevailing against mainstream American culture.
can culture.
For example, the New York Yankees cannot set up their batting order if their Puerto Rican players skip the game. Even in Lawrence, those powers are always changing KU student life. Therefore, students themselves actively absorb these new values as a part of their lives. For example, at La Tasca, 943 Massachusetts Street, a local Spanish dance club, the Moon Bar, 821 S. Iowa Street, a recently opened karaoke bar, and any kind of ethnic food restau-
Seemingly, American values have been influenced by new categories of Americans. But are new Americans aware of the influences they have on mainstream Americans? I interviewed some KU students who fall under this "new American" category. Candy Stiles, a Mexican-American Hanston sophomore in pre-journalism, said she had been in Kansas her whole life.
"I think that my culture is defining family values and work ethic," Stiles said. "I have to say that I am most proud when I am complimented on how close my family is."
I also spoke with Sunjee Lee, Seoul,
Korea, senior in psychology and president of the Korean Student Association. He is not a U.S. citizen but has spent half his life in the U.S.
"As the new identity emerges in the U.S., it will definitely influence the existing American values," Lee said.
On the other hand, Ismael Saifan, Overland Park sophomore and U.S. citizen born in Kuwait, views American values from a different perspective. He doesn't think he can redefine them.
"The American value lets people be who they are and lets them be free to do whatever they want," Saifan aid. "This is a great thing and nothing I could do will make it better or worse."
These new Americans say they are still challenged by the stereotypes mainstream America has about them. This challenge has existed throughout American history. So far, how much have New Americans challenged and overcome pre-existing American stereotypes?
"Our generation has overcome racism, but not completely," said Betty Chang, sophomore and U.S. citizen from Indonesia. Compared to racism in the 1950s, she said the country had improved and is now more diverse.
America probably still has the potential to stir the melting pot with different ideas and cultures. So far, no one can anticipate what the ultimate color of the pot will be. New Americans probably will have to challenge preconceived notions. But they have a lot of hope in trying to redefine American values.
"I think that American value is being redefined every day," Stiles said. "I believe that this country can only benefit from what others bring to it."
- Torada is a Kashiwa, Japan, sophomore in pre-journalism.
Steve Sack/Knight Hidden
Cell phone technology too frivolous;keep it simple
I decided it was time. Although my cellular phone has served me well over the last year or so, it seemed all my friends had started carrying around technology that made my bulky, green-screen phone look a little out of style. Because I was starting to feel like Zach Morris carrying around his first giant cell phone at Bayside High, I recently gave in to the craze of new, high-tech cell phones.
This past weekend I ventured to a local wireless branch to acquire a new phone. As I began to browse around the store for which new model would be my perfect fit, I was absolutely floored by some of the extravagant devices that have been designed for people to carry. Some don't even resemble telephones anymore.
COMMENTARY
Ashley Smith opinion@kansan.com
anymore.
One specifically evoked a jaw dropping reaction and one simple thought: Now seriously, who could possibly need to carry around something that does all this? One cell phone I saw looks so much like a small GameBoy that I really had to study it to find the openings for listening and speaking. It includes a large color screen in the
center of a full word processing keyboard. With no visible numbers on the face, figuring out how to dial would be the first challenge to face with this bad boy.
The features on many of these new phones are absolutely mind-blowing. There were the "basics." Text-messaging, AOL Instant Messenger, wireless Internet connection, downloadable ring tones and graphics, incredible games, voice command dialing and who could live without memory for his 500 closest confidants? Many phones go beyond this and include digital cameras, video clip recorders and stereo systems. Oh, and did I mention your connection to all
stations of XM radio?
The price of all this? An average of $349, and that's just to turn it on.
Now, I realize classes get boring, but does anyone truly need this much entertainment in the palm of his hand? What has happened to having separate electronics for one sole purpose? An even scarier thought is what companies will come out with next if consumers keep buying into the ever-growing technology of cell phones. My prediction for the next big development is the ability to watch satellite television from your phone. And make toast. But seriously, will there ever be a point where enough is enough?
As college students, our money is valuable at this time of year. All the money we came to school with from summer jobs has rapidly depleted, and the holiday cash is barely visible in the distance. The last thing you could possibly need — keyword need, not want — right now is a cell phone such as this. I challenge you if you're considering a new phone anytime soon to spend your money elsewhere'. If you have a truly awful phone, a slight upgrade is understandable, but do you really need everything these phenomenal devices offer?
Besides, you know you secretly love the phone you have right now. Even if your antenna is a piece of foil, you and your phone have been through a lot together; traumatic drops when you thought it was a goner, all the drunk dialing and don't forget that it faithfully holds all your precious digits. Why would you want to let all that go? Not to mention mailing your old phone off to the phone funeral home just for a small rebate is hard to do.
rebate is hard to do.
Just for the record, although it was hard to let go, I did walk out this weekend with a new, phone. But I must include that I did get it for free with my new service agreement and trade-in rebate. Yes, the screen is color; yes, it is nice. But it has no connection to the Internet, no camera of any sort and plays nothing resembling actual music. Believe it or not, I'm surviving.
Smith is a Tulsa sophomore in journalism.
editorial board
Queer school step back for gay students
With the opening of Harvey Milk High School, a high school that will cater to queer students, New York City has made strides to spare queer youth the harassment that comes from their unenlightened peers. No one will argue that every student has the right to learn in an environment free from intolerance or the threat of bodily harm. However, we must confront the question of whether this school will have consequences to go along with the benefits it promises.
While Harvey Milk High may be a temporary solution to homophobia, we must be conscious that we do not take backward steps in the struggle for equal rights. The safety of queer students is a priority and no one should ever suggest that queer high school students be the vanguard for queer rights. But the larger concerns of integration and equality in the eyes of society will never be addressed to satisfaction until all high school students are able to participate in the same public schooling experience together.
Harvey Milk High may be the only solution to a problem that has no other immediate answer. However, a safe haven for queer students to pursue their academic careers is a tantalizing prospect to say the least. Indeed, many college freshmen select a school based on how well they fit into the general population of the university. Harvey Milk High seems to be the same idea on a smaller scale.
Anti-gay groups have long accused queer people of wanting special rights. These groups could perceive Harvey Milk High as a special consideration for queer students that the city does not offer to other groups who are traditionally persecuted, like overweight children or children who are considered "nerds." It will take some convincing for the folks on that side of this issue that Harvey Milk High isn't a special right for queer students—if it can be done at all.
Many people who are pro-gay but against the school charge that by removing queer children from traditional high schools and placing them at Harvey Milk High, the school district is playing right into the hands of the children perpetrating the intolerance. Many of these opponents equate Harvey Milk High with "separate but equal."
Might we not raise tolerance by educating intolerant children? Might those intolerant children's educations suffer through the lack of diversity? Might the country suffer when one's ignorance is not challenged through experience?
Three cheers for Harvey Milk High for providing a safe environment for queer students. But we must not let this make us complacent in our struggle for equality for all people.
Patrick Ross for the editorial board.