Opinion
United States First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
United States First Amendment
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
Ho: Learn to appreciate the small things in life
WWW.KANSAN.COM
COMING MONDAY
FREE FOR ALL
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
The next thing you know, the marching band and the spirit squad are going to throw down.
Is it wrong to masturbate to monkey porn? I was just wondering.
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
Did you ever have naked parties as a lifeguard?
My roommate just had sex with a girl and then found out the next date that she had a STD. I feel awful ... not really.
PAGE 5A
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
My vagina's like, "Mmm, nom nom nom."
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
One time I pooped in a sink
My roommate just put tequila in her sherbet ice cream. Tonight is going to be entertaining.
Question of the night: If you had to give up one, would you go without blow jobs or choice?
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
That's like asking an ambidextrous person whether they would rather have their right hand or left hand chapped off
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
Tonight I got a booty call text message, and when I responded to it I never heard back. It looks like he missed
Who's horny?
Close the window! You're lettin' all the stank out!
I was informed over the weekend that they're making a Toy Story 3. My life just got SO much better!
Screw meeting in real life. Let's just have sex through
I put on my wizard robe and
I just passed a girl wearing a Mizou sweatshirt. She's got to be either extraordinarily confused or suicidal.
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
--them and who is around them. Bailey also said students in the residence halls need to know who belongs on their floor and who doesn't, and to tell someone if something seen
Let's stay classier than Missouri. Stop "Rip his fucking head off"
Guys in V-necks: Knock it off. Unless you're hot, then take it off.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Students should take steps to increase safety
With the recent attacks on and around campus, including the reported rape in Oliver Hall, students need to realize that bad things can, in fact, happen to them. A common ground between being fearful and carefree needs to be established to help prevent future occurrences. Students need to be aware of the precautions they can take to protect themselves against attack and theft.
Here are four steps to take in the right direction:
1. BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND YOU
Captain Schuyler D. Bailey of the KU Public Safety Office said that situational awareness is key in preventing an attack. Students need to be aware of what's going on around
Kathy Rose-Mockry, program director for the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, said that another important aspect students need to be aware of, both in the residence halls and off campus, is what their home and its surroundings normally looks like. This allows students to be able to tell if something looks off or different.
feeling. This is normally because they thought they were making a big deal out of nothing or were too embarrassed to say anything in front of their friends. When students ignore those feelings they are ignoring a physical warning their body is giving them. Don't be afraid to speak up.
2. TRUST YOUR INTUITION
Rose-Mocky said attack victims have told her that something felt off but they didn't act upon that
3. CONTROL HOW ACCESSIBLE YOU ARE
People are too willing to give out personal information, Rose-Mockry said. Students should check their Facebook security settings, for one.
Bailey said that students not only need to lock their doors, they also need to use peeholes.
"None of this stuff will keep you safe if you don't use them." Bailey said.
KANSAN'S OPINION
when leaving briefly, but that after the reported rape that occurred in Oliver Hall Sept. 20, she locks it every time she leaves.
Alexa Poore, an Augusta freshman who lives in Oliver Hall, said that she used to leave her door unlocked
Walking alone at night should be avoided, but if a student has no other option, Bailey said students should walk with a purpose so they don't look like an easy target.
4. BE PROACTIVE IF YOU'RE IN A BAD SITUATION
Rose-Mockry also said if attacked, students should shout instead of scream because shouting is much
louder. She also says that if a student thinks someone is following them, to cross the street to create distance.
The reported incident that occurred at Oliver Hall last week should tell the Department of Student Housing that they need to take more precautions along with students. Exploring more safety options, such as installing entrance cameras, should be considered because the student ID system has flaws.
Students need to be responsible for their safety and be proactive in protecting themselves. Being aware of your surroundings and following these safety tips are constructive ways to help work toward preventing future attacks.
— Kate Larrabee for The Kansan Editorial Board
SIGN UP FOR A
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS
**WHO:** All students are welcome
**WHAT:** Self-defense class by the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center
**WHEN:** Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
**WHERE:** The Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center
**WHY:** Another way to increase empowerment and safety
EDITORIAL CARTOON
CLIMATE CHANGE IN A LAND DOWN UNDER
NOW BENEATH AN OCHRE SKY
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
DIVERSITY
Looking past dress codes
In high school, I had a personal war with the dress code. Teachers were given a lot of leeway in deciding what constituted "distracting" apparel, and as a result, dressing for the day was like playing Russian Roulette. Some kids got away with neon rainbow hair and others were told they had to remove their black lipstick because it was a costume.
On any given day at the University of Kansas, I'll pass people with piercings, handmade patch-work skirts and even fox tails. It's liberating to be able to focus on school work rather than conforming, but will we have this same freedom after college?
My little brother is now dealing with it, and he constantly reminds me how lucky we are to be able to control our own appearances.
The business, hospitality and engineering schools all had their career fairs this month. Coupled with the University's regular etiquette dinners and on-campus interviews, they're supposed to help transition us to the professional world. But all these services promote only the mainstream image of formality. Such exclusivity just isn't realistic in the modern workplace.
For example, mainstream formal etiquette says that wearing a hat
indoors is rude. But it's acceptable for Islamic women to wear their head coverings in the workplace. Religion is recognized as more important than dress codes.
But what about people who don't have a religion? Are their personal convictions not important enough? As long as they abide by public nudity laws, they should be allowed to wear what best represents their beliefs, too. If you still don't think dress codes are outdated, consider the sexism involved in many businesses' dress codes. I've had several friends who were required to wear make-up, in company-approved colors, to work. Talk about promoting self-image issues.
I understand the function of standard uniforms; people need to be able to tell the difference between employees and customers. But in traditional business settings, where there are very few meetings without introductions, name-tags can serve the same use. And if exceptions are going to be made for
one, it's difficult to justify keeping others suppressed. The alternative is complete conformity, and there have already been enough debates regarding religious jewelry to prove that just won't cut it.
Luckily, some professionals have started to offer alternatives. Eidolon Career Solutions offers career advice for alternative professionals, including branding, resume building and interview techniques. Their motto, "Be evaluated on your performance, not on your lifestyle," is what I've been trying to achieve in my own career.
Diversity in the workplace doesn't just mean people will be different races, religion, or sexualities. Our unique personalities and viewpoints are what make professional collaborations worthwhile in the first place, and they should be respected in all their manifestations.
The University prides itself in preparing its students for the professional world. It plays host to multi-cultural events, has an extensive international transfer program and generally tries to expose its students to the diversity of the world economy. But there are so many sub-cultures being ignored.
Lytton is a Kodiak, Ala., senior in creative writing.
SERVICE
Forgotten Katrina victims still in need of assistance
More than four years have passed since disastrous Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, and the images of demolished buildings and homeless families have faded from our memories. But the nightmares are still a reality for the more than 14,000 families in New Orleans still living off Disaster Housing Assistance Program vouchers and the countless internally displaced persons.
Unfortunately for those 14,000 families, the DHAP vouchers expire this month. According to Amnesty International, the government estimates that about half of those families could be eligible for Housing Choice Vouchers, allowing them to live in Section 8 Housing. But what options remain for the families who do not qualify for Section 8 Housing?
"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services," according to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
If more than 7,000 families lose their homes, the U.S. would be failing to uphold this clause.
Now is not the time to place disaster relief in New Orleans on the back burner, but it seems that many Americans have pushed it to the back of their minds and consider it old news.
"I think it's definitely not on everyone's minds anymore just because the shock value is gone now," Hannah Nusz, co-director of the Alternative Breaks program, said.
The program directors have decided to send a group of students to help clean up and build housing in New Orleans this winter break.
Alternative Breaks has gone to New Orleans in the past but had no programs there last year. This year, Nusz said the program felt as if something was missing.
"When you're rebuilding communities, rebuilding homes and peoples' lives, that takes time," Nusz said. "It's definitely not something that just happens in a few months."
Nusz is completely right. The current quagmire that will leave many Katrina victims without housing is proof that reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in New Orleans are not yet finished.
If only there were other forms of assistance that victims could turn to when federal aid runs out. Groups such as the American Red Cross, Oxfam America, Louisiana Disaster Recovery and the NAACP Disaster Fund have helped since the hurricane hit. At least one of these organizations, Louisiana Disaster Recovery, is still offering support, but the thousands of families who risk losing their homes at the end of this month need a larger relief effort.
Alternative Breaks does more than assist Katrina victims; it also provides a new perspective for the students involved. If more organizations still showed the interest Alternative Breaks is investing in the problem, New Orleans could make great strides forward.
Cosby is an Overland Park sophomore in journalism and political science.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
No exceptions for intersex athletes
Lauren Bornstein's column entitled "Intersex athletes face unfair rules" left me speechless. I simply could not believe what I was reading. Personally, I don't feel Caster Semenya was treated wrong or unfairly. I think the International Association of Athletics Federation had every right to, and should have, made Semenya take a gender test.
1 completely agree with you regarding her being called a hermaphrodite; that is totally false and an extremely ignorant thing to say.
I did a little research of my own, and found out that Semenya has internal testes, which we all know to be male genitalia. She lacks a womb and ovaries and has a testosterone level more than three times that of a normal woman. You say that other people are deciding her gender for her, but all the results seem to point to her being a male.
The issue, as a whole, I have no problem with. If she thinks she's a woman then so be it; it's none of my business. The problem begins when she tries to compete in a woman's sport with a body that is technically male. That is unfair to all of her competitors, who you claim to be exhibiting "poor sportsmanship." They have every right to be upset if they are competing in a woman's sport against male athletes.
No male would ever be allowed to compete in a woman's sport — why should it matter what sex he thinks he is? Semenya is an excellent athlete, but she should be competing with athletes of the same sex.
You say that forcing Semenya and other female athletes to prove their sex shouldn't be done, but that's exactly what needs to be done. Competing in a woman's sport, all participants should be female.
I referred to Semenya as a "she" out of respect, because that is what she believes she is.
Chris L. Brown is a sophomore from Fort Scott.
HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
LETTER GUIDELINES
Send letters to opinionjkanan.com
Write LETTER TO THE EDITOR in the e-mail subject line.
Length: 300 words
The submission should include the author's name, grade and hometown.
Find our full letter to the editor policy online at kansan.com/letters.
Brenna Hawley, editor 864-4810 or bhawley@kansan.com
Jessica Sain-Baird, managing editor 864.4810 or jessica.baird@barton.com
CONTACT US
Jennifer Torline managing editor 864-4810 or jtorline@kansan.com
Haley Jones, kansan.com managing editor
Michael Holtz, opinion editor
864.4024 or holtz@hawaii.com
Lauren Bloodgood, business manager
864-4358 or ibloodgood@kansan.com
Caitlin Thornbrugh, editorial editor 864-4924 or thornbrugh@kansan.com
Maria Korte, sales manager
864-4477 or mkorte@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager and news adviser
Jon Schlitt, sales and marketing adviser
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Brenna Hawley, Jessica Sain-Bard, Jennifer Tortine, Haley Jones, CaliTorrhbrugh and Michael Holtz.