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Wednesday, October 19, 1994
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
No matter what she does, everv mother works
NICOLAS SHUMP
The term 'working mother'
has never been appropriate
because it implies that
mothers don't work.
mothers don't work.
A couple of weeks ago, my family celebrated my wife's birthday. As a present from our two baby boys, I bought her the book "My Mother Worked And I Turned Out Okay." It's a great little book filled with humor and encouragement for all working mothers. I figure that being a full-time nursing student and daily commuter to the KU Med Center qualifies her for this status. Truth be told, I have never liked the term "working mother" because it implies that mothers don't work. Nothing could be further from the truth.
While I know that my wife loves the book, I felt uncomfortable having to even buy it for her. Since she started nursing school this fall, she has been
magged by occasional pans of guilt for abandoning her two boys while she attends school. I wondered why I didn't feel similar guilt for not only being a full-time student but also being gone approximately three evenings a week for work. The naked truth is that society still places a stigma on working mothers.
Unfortunately, working mothers are not the only victims of this suble but pervasive form of sexism. Single mothers have it even worse. I can remember hearing stories about my own mother's experience after she divorced my father. My older brother, Mike, was told that he was now "man of the house," even though he was only in grade school. Not only was
this a terrible burden to place on a child, but the implication was that my adult mother could not take care of herself.
Well, not only did she take care of herself, but she succeeded in raising four boys and one girl, all the while holding down at least one full-time job. And despite the fact that she worked full-time, my mother was always there for us. Every school concert; ball game, graduation, etc., I could always find her smiling face in the stands.
It never occurred to me that I was somehow being neglected when my mother was working. In fact, I consider being raised by a strong woman to have been an invaluable experience. I think that it has made me sensitive to the problems that women still face, and it has made me a better father and even a better husband. It has given me practical skills, like being able to wash and iron clothes. You may laugh at this, but women are continually amazed that I know how to do these things. Finally, and most importantly of all, my mother has endowed me with a deep sense of respect for single and working mothers. There is no one I respect more than my mother. She is and always has been the greatest hero in my life.
Now as I watch my wife, Kathie, juggle the different responsibilities of student, wife and mother, I see yet another strong-willed and loving
women. And I am filled with disgust as I see how society treats women like my mother and wife.
It scares me to think that the young woman in Michigan, who recently lost custody of her child, could have been my mother a generation earlier. I am incredulous because I know that more often than not single parent families are filled with more love and support than your average two-parent family. It's an outrage that society has yet to recognize this. So for all the single and working mothers out there, here's a heartfelt note of thanks for everything you do. "You go girl!"
Nicolas Shump is a Lawrence senior in comparative literature.
VIEWPOINT
More consumers,toy stores should ban realistic toy guns
The Toys 'R' Us and Kay-Bee toy store chains announced Friday that they are not going to sell realistic-looking toy guns any- more
It's about time.
The decision came in the wake of recent accidents involving New York
Bradlee's Inc. and Kmart stopped selling realistic toy guns 10 months ago.
The altruism of these stores should be followed by other stores and dis-
ELIMINATION OF TOY GUNS
Other toy stores and distributors should follow the altruism displayed by taking realistic guns off shelves.
police mistaking toy guns for the real things. The result: two teenagers were unnecessarily shot. That is no game.
tributors.
But Toys 'R' Us and Kay- Bee are not playing alone.
Society's problem with crime and violence is only reinforced to children by providing them toys that
look as if they are real.
Eliminating the sale of realistic-looking weapons would begin to send the message to youths that crime and violence are no game.
JUAN VARGAS FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
Awarding share of Nobel to Arafat ignores inaction
The decision to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat was not
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
entirely just. Arafat's disappointing inaction since signing the 1993 peace treaty should have eliminated him as a nominee.
gamble in granting Palestinians self-rule, Arafat simply recognized Israel's right to exist as a state. He has not taken the necessary action of co-opting or
PLO head has not taken taken enough action against terrorism to be considered a peacemaker.
Although Arafat put his signature on the peace accord, he has done little to ensure its success. While Rabin took a major
confronting Islamic radicals, such as the Hamas militants who killed an Israeli soldier last week. Arafat's previous silence led many to suspect a PLO role.
Until Arafat takes a stand on terrorism, he does not truly deserve the title of peacemaker.
ERIC MADDEN FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
KANSAN STAFF
STEPHEN MARTINO Editor
CHRISTOPH FUHRMANS Managing editor
JEN CARR Business manager
CAMERON DEATH Retail sales manager
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH Systems coordinator
Editors
News ... Sara Bennett
Editorial ... Donella Heame
Campus ... Mark Martin
Sports ... Brian James
Photo ... Daron Bennett
Mellissa Lacey
Features ... Tracel Carl
Planning Editor ... Susan White
Design ... Noah Musser
Assistant to the editor ... Robbie Johnson
Editors
Business Staff
Campus mgr ... Todd Winters
Regional mgr ... Laura Guth
National mgr ... Mark Masto
Copr mgr ... Emily 2beon
Special Sections mgr ... Jen Perrer
Production mgrs ... Holly Boren
    Regan Overy
Marketing director ... Alistle Stigler
Creative director ... John Carton
Classified mgr ... Heather Niahaua
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the letter's signature, name address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of California are required to include their full name.
Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photographed.
The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stuzaffer Flint Hall.
APPLYING THE PRO-GUN CONTROL MENTALITY TO OTHER ISSUES
Sean Finn / KANSAN
Horoscope writing could be the good life
On Friday I was supposed to keep my nose to the grindstone. Conflicting home and work obligations were supposed to have me keyed up. Influential people were going to be delighted by my organizational skills. My prestige was growing.
OK, the horoscope had me hooked until I got to the organization part.
I have never had a single solitary ounce of organizational skill in my life. At least not since the sixth grade. And all the influential people in my life can attest to that. The rest, well, I guess it could be true.
One of my psychology professors once told me that horoscopes were bunk. Absolutely bogus.
I read them. For brief moments, I even hope that "a loved one will surprise you with something special."
COLUMNIST
Recently I received a hefty envelope in my box at the Kansan. Inside were pages of a "Horror Scope" by Disillusioned Dave Bentkowski. Now there is prophetic reading material for you.
But when I run across the same horoscope on different days of the same month, the theoretical bubble theoretically bursts.
DONELLA HEARNE
Because they were undated, I picked this one for myself.
'AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18); I
can't believe it. I just heard that song, "Walking in Memphis" on the radio. Either that guy is clueless, or he has a heck of a buzz. He has been walking in Memphis for a couple of years now. Why not ask for directions? That reminds me — the Israelites followed Moses around in the desert for 40 years. Forty years! 'Hey, uh, Moses, can we get a look at that map for a decade or so, we're getting kind of hungry?' Aquarius, don't follow anyone—be leaders."
I mean, hey, I could write horoscopes I bet. I'm always giving people advice anyway and telling them how to run (or run) their lives. Couldn't I just apply that stuff to everybody?
I bet my loved ones would at least
read it.
Let me give you a sample, and you let me know what you think.
Pisces: Don't nag your kids today, and your college-aged daughter could use some dough.
Scorpio: Marry a journalism student $15,000 in debt and pay back all of her loans. She'll love you forever.
See, doesn't that sound great? Could I do this or not?
Maybe I could make a million dictating people's lives, and then I wouldn't need that handsome Scorpio's money.
Maybe Dionne Warwick has a few job openings. This week I'm a nobody editorial editor; next week I could be your best "psychic friend."
Man, trying to write the truth about the world around me is getting to be a drag. Who needs journalism anyway? It's all so, so journalistic.
Ah, to be a writer of horoscopes. A slave to the stars.
If only I could write something bogus for a buck. Something that cries out for the label:
These horoscopes are for entertainment purposes only.
Donella Haime is a Wichita senior in newspaper journalism.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR K-State official offers apology
I am writing in response to concerns expressed regarding the tearing down of the University of Kansas football stadium goal posts on Oct. 6. I, too, share those concerns and believe property damage has no place in celebrations of any kind, especially when it is associated with amateur sports. That type of behavior detracts from the effort of two fine teams who compete in the spirit of good sportsmanship and mutual respect.
In closing, I hope we can put this incident behind us and move forward, supporting our respective teams in a manner they both richly deserve.
A few over-zealous Kansas State fans caused what happened, and we accept responsibility for their actions. Accordingly, I apologize to the University of Kansas and all of its constituent groups, especially the athletic department and football team.
Max Urick
Director of Athletics,
Kansas State University
Max Urick
Rowdy fans push limit of team spirit
In response to Roberta Johnson's VIEWPOINT of Oct. 10, I'd like to ask a question. If K-State tearing down KU's goal post is "childish" and "just plain wrong", what is it when KU fans tear down their own goal post? Who offers to pay when KU fans vandalize their own campus? I don't picture KU fans as having "true spirit" when they throw everything they can find at the K-State players while yelling rude comments.
Part of the college experience should be learning to be open minded. A school rivalry doesn't make us the good guys and anyone else the bad guys! It does cause a lot of fans to become "hyped, let's be reasonable here. KU fans in my part of the stadium weren't the shining examples of civilized sportsmanship that Roberta Johnson would like to think. Why can't we just accept that KU has some bad fans just as K-State does? Who knows, K-State might even have a couple of "vuppies"!!!
Stacl Menze Lawrence Resident
Cast is impressive in opening shows
A resounding "well done" to the cast and crew of "Jesus Christ Superstar". I was utterly impressed with Saturday's show. Though I am not a regular theater-goer, I thoroughly enjoyed the production.
If you haven't gotten your tickets for the next show, go get them now! GO!!! Clap loud!!
HUBIE
Mike Growney Atchison senior
By Greg Hardin