Opinion
Kansan
Published daily since 1912
Jodie Chester, Editor
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Monday, October 12, 1998
Editorials
KU organizations make gays lesbians feel at home in Lawrence
October is Gay and Lesbian History Month, which means issues regarding sexual orientation will be in the spotlight. Sunday was National Coming Out Day, and the KU community was actively involved.
different gay and lesbian groups sponsored events during the weekend. Saturday morning, Gay and Lesbian Academic and Staff Advocates held a yard sale. The proceeds will go to the And Justice For All Conference, which will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at the University
The conference will hold workshops, presentations and panel discussions about sexual orientation issues such as gay and lesbian curriculum and anti-harassment policies.
Today,'Come Out Talking will take place at the Kansas Union.
Picnics took place at the South Park Gazebo and Broken Arrow Park, sponsored by Queers and Allies and Ecumenical Reconciling Fellowship.
"Come Out Talking," a talk-show like performance, takes place today at the Kansas Union Plaza. The event is sponsored by KU Queers and Allies
The KU and Lawrence communities traditionally have been supportive of gay and lesbian issues. However, the incident in which burning of a gay pride rainbow flag on a
Lawrence resident's house are reminders that intolerance is still an issue.
No matter what moral stance individuals take on the issue of homosexuality, the community should create an environment where those with different lifestyles and beliefs are welcome and feel free to openly declare their sexuality.
KU organizations should be commended for active involvement in National Coming Out Day. The groups participation creates a positive environment for homosexuals and lesbians, who traditionally are in the minority to openly declare their sexuality unlike heterosexuals who have the privilege of being open with their sexuality every day.
Erinn R. Barcomb for the editorial board
Feedback
Kansan didn't cover Latino marathon read
I'm not a University Daily Kansan reporter, but since the Kansan decided to ignore completely the marathon reading of U.S. Latino/a literature that occurred in front of the Kansas Union all day Wednesday, I thought I would I offer my own brief coverage of the event.
Hispanic and non-Hispanic students, faculty and University staff read a variety of literature written by Mexican American, Cuban American, Puerto Rican and Dominican Republican authors.
While some participants read poetry, others read short fiction,
and Nicolas Shump, the event's organizer, even read some of his original work.
The event, now in its third year on campus, was originally meant to expose the campus community to a body of literature not usually taught in American, Spanish or Latin American literature courses. Certainly bicultural, and often bilingual, U.S. Latino/a literature rarely fits into the academic categories most departments create when they teach national literatures.
At least for a day, the marathon reading wanted to cross those academic boundaries. And it did. Students and faculty from English, Spanish, Latin American studies,
Of course, without Kansan news coverage of the event, the campus community is still underexposed to U.S. Latino/a literature. I'm sure the Kansan's minority affairs staff writer had too much on his/her beat to stop by the reading and ask a few questions — so many multicultural events on campus, so little time. I certainly hope I don't have to cover the rest of the events for Hispanic Heritage Month.
and even the law department read out loud. They were joined by staff and administrators from offices in Strong Hall and Anschutz library.
Jesse Aleman
Lawrence graduate student
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Broaden your mind: Today's quote
now to submit letters and guest columns
"Skeptics are never deceived." — French proverb
Letters: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and home-town if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest columns? Should be double-
spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stuaffer-Filr Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Ann Premer (premer@kansan.com) or Tim Harrington (tharrington@kansan.com) at 864-4810. If you have general questions or comments, email the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4810.
Perspective
O in Aug. 18, as we were preparing to start a new academic year at the University of Kansas, a member of university passed away. Her name was
Instructor's messages continue to guide, teach
She was an instructor in the department of French and Italian, and I had known her since my sophomore year here at the University.
Donato
Fhunsu
opinion@kansan.com
our community passed away Hélène Germain-Simões.
I dedicate this column to her.
The dead are not dead, we say in Africa. They live in our memories.
Today, you live in my memory because as a person, thinker, writer.
Dear Hélène,
translator and language teacher, you were a great inspiration to me. The lessons you're taught me are an integral part of my education at the University.
As a writer, whenever I think about writing or sit down to write, I will remember that you taught me to love language, cherish words and strive to communicate my perspectives on life with clarity, precision and grace.
I will remember that day I asked you to improve my writing skills, and you recommended I buy the book "Mieux écrit en français." But you did not leave things alone. As a teacher, you were an expert in follow-ups.
now should they make I understand now that life is a puzzle in which each one of us is a unique piece. The puzzle would not be complete without uniqueness. You motivated and encouraged me to be bold and contribute my humble gift.
Now that I think about it, I realize that compared to eternity, life in this body-temple is so short I cannot afford to spend it in constant war with others, hating even my enemies, overlooking those who need my help or neglecting my duties, no matter how small they might seem at the time.
Whenever we reflected on the human condition, you reminded me that sentences we write on the pages of life make a difference in the kind of collective story we tell as a global community. It can be a story of love or hate.
girl.
You were a wife, a mother and the joy of your family. I can only imagine the void your transition has left in the lives of Antonio, Fabio and Bruno. Only their hearts can fathom it.
Despite your busy schedule, you found time to read my column in The University Daily Kansan and gave your honest comments covering both form and content.
You always amazed me because you seemed to be able to read not only my columns, but also my mind. I remember in one column I quoted Shakti Gawain, a rarely quoted writer. But you were familiar with the work, and we discussed it.
What can a poor writer do to assuage their pain? I do not know. I write better than I speak. That is why I attempted to let them know that your life has touched me and brought healing and hope to my existence in ways that even my written words fail to express. May the same healing balm of human connection soothe their hearts.
You also taught me that silence was power. You were a quiet person, and many times you intrigued me.
An inscription on a mug that I have near my computer on my writing desk reads: "A teacher plants the seeds of knowledge, sprinkles them with love, and patiently nurtures their growth to produce tomorrow's dreams."
But now, as I think about you, I understand that life consists not of talking, but of living, achieving and helping others to live and achieve. You lived in silence and died in silence. Today, when I think about your life, I realize why wise people have concluded that actions speak louder than words.
Your death has taught me that life is too short to be small. You were young and full of energy and plans. You had plans for your
row's dreams.
What tomorrow's dreams will be for me, I do not know. But one thing I know: the seeds of knowledge you have planted in my soul have taken root, and, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say ikutondedel, natoni yo, danki, grazie, gracias, obrigado, merci and thank you.
fellow teachers and students — elementary school students, undergraduate students and graduate students. As a language specialist, you wanted them to appreciate the beauty, power and possibilities of human language in general — the French language in particular.
The dead are not dead; they live in our memories. As I close these thoughts, dear Hélene, may your memory live forever through these words you taught me to cherish and my columns you enjoyed reading.
Phhsu is a Lawrence graduate student in journalism.
Rigors of apartment life balanced out by luxuries
O K, you took an introductory course in psychology, learned all about personal space and realized that the two and a half feet you were getting in the dorms just wasn't healthy.
So, you got a job, begged mom and dad, sold a lot of plasma, whatever — you now have an apartment to call your own. Independence, a bedroom door and a freezer full of microwave dinners are all yours.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Now, it's time to face reality. Like all relationships, things have changed. What was once a friendly alcove of personal expression now has become a security deposit gone forever.
H.G.
Miller
xonion@kansan.com
Remember moving in? It was summer, everything was warm and the off-white walls seemed to beg for you to adorn them with posters from obscure movies and rock bands that nobody had heard of yet. But now, the winds have changed. The heater doesn't seem to be working, and the frigid air reeks of water damage from the lack of proper drainage system.
I know, the landlord wined and dined you during the courting period. He took you by the hand, made sure you met the sunbathers at the pool and showed you the nicest apartment in the whole complex, somehow gliding past the fact that nobody seemed to actually live there.
Unfortunately, the honeymoon has ended. Unreturned phone calls and empty promises are all that seem to come from the mystical building called "Office." Like a relationship that has soured, the landlord has chosen to ignore your pleadings in hopes that you'll take the hint and just go away.
Sometimes, you do get lucky, and somebody will come by to fix something. Usually, these repairmen have been thoroughly trained in the ways of fixing apartment mishaps.
You too can have this advanced training. Pay attention and take notes. Caulk fixes everything. That's it. That's all you need to know.
"Yes," he'll reply with a smile, applying the second coat.
My neighbors upstairs seem to have a healthy relationship. I just wish that when I'm trying to sleep, they wouldn't express how happy they are as often as the they do.
All of this, though, is mere triviality when compared to the miseries of communal living.
Because of the thin walls of many apartment complexes, you may find that you learn more about your neighbors than you probably should. For example, I'm not exactly sure what religion the people next door follow, I just know it has something to do with sacrificing small woodland creatures.
It's a private audience when I sing in the shower now. That's my couch with the 1970s-style brown-on-brown plaid print. That's my toaster with only one slot functioning. Those are my pet roaches.
Apparently, I've found, not everybody wants to wake up to screaming heavy metal in the morning. Personally, I need something I can jam to if I'm even going to get out of bed. However, retaliation for my habit came in the form of country twang vibrating through the floor. OK, OK. I give, guys. Uncle. You win.
"But it's a garbage disposal," you might say.
Luckily, you are not alone in this predicament. Your neighbors share in the pain, as long as you're not the cause of it. The bond between neighbors sometimes borders on open warfare, with only an unspoken peace treaty. You keep your music down, and I'll do likewise.
I can dance around the apartment as naked as I want to now. OK, so I've got to remember to close the blinds next time, but that's it.
Sure, the faucet drips and the stove doesn't really "heat" things so to speak, but stuff like that just makes life interesting. Multicolored stains on the carpet and holes in the wall all add character to a place.
And, yes, while I do have a roommate with whom I share the great experience of bachelor living, I have decided not to mention anything about him. After all, he does read the Kansan, and those are problems I don't need.
Miller is a Hutchinson senior in English.