4 University Daily Kansan / Thursday, October 31, 1991 OPINION THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE "TALKS" Quick action Bus company delivers correct message The quick response of the Lawrence Bus Co. to the unprofessional behavior of one of its drivers is a welcome sight. The Oct. 22 incident in which someone shouted from a bus, "You sick bastards," in reference to two men holding hands was a distasteful act on a campus striving for an atmosphere that encourages diversity. The driver of the bus said he did not say anything to the men walking down the street, but he did admit to pointing and laughing. Lawrence Bus Co. President Chris Ogle suspended the driver for unprofessional behavior and apologized for his actions the same day of the incident. The speed at which the bus company res onded indicates that it demands professionalism from its drivers and that it is sensitive to campus issues. The company's actions are commendable. A current concern on this campus and at other universities is to provide an atmosphere that encourages acceptance of individual differences and provides a diverse environment that enriches students' education. In the past the KU administration has stressed that this campus is dedicated to creating such an atmosphere. It appears this dedication has paid off. Not only did the bus company respond inanappropriate manner,but KU police immediately investigated the incident and Student Senate criticized the harassment. All of these responses indicate how serious the company,the police and Senate treat acts of harassment and intolerance. There now exists on campus an expectation that incidents involving harassment should be dealt with promptly by the University. The bus company's action shows a commitment to fulfilling this expectation. that the two men who were yelled and pointed at had legitimate methods to call attention to the harassment and that redress of their grievances occurred so quickly are no small facts. They indicate to other people who may be harassed that they can come forward and expect a sympathetic listener and appropriate responses. Benjamin W. Allen for the editorial board To the extreme Violence is no way to express motivation It has been said that of all the emotions a person can have, apathy is the worst. But motivation can be equally harmful when taken to extremes. That extreme was reached Friday in Kansas City when Bryant Wiley was attacked by a mob that incorrectly thought he was the man who had kidnapped four girls and sexually assaulted three of them. Other mobs walked through neighborhoods with ball bats and ax handles and vowed castration to the kidnapper if they found him. It is wonderful that these people felt so strongly about the situation that they took action, but the action they took was wrong. By their acts of violence, they furthered the violence that they were working to end in their neighborhoods. Their reasoning was that they were protecting their children. But did they ever stop and think what type of an impression their actions would make on the children? Editorials reflect the opinion of the University Daily Kansan editorial board. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the board. Violence is not the answer to this situation. The area residents should channel their energy into block watches, neighborhood baby-sitting programs or any number of options. The job of law enforcement belongs to the police, not to people with bats and ax handles who catch the wrong person. Opinions expressed in guest and staff columns and cartoons are those of the author or artist. Views expressed in columns and cartoons are not necessarily shared by the Kansan. Editorial board members are: Benjamin Allen, Anita Bajaj, Kevin Bartels, James Baucom, Michael Dick, Amy Francis, Clarissa Jackson, Ellen Kuwana, Holly Lawton, Holly Neuman, John Noltensmeyer, Karen Park, Jennifer Reynolds, Jennifer Tanous, Jose Vasquez, Julie Wasson and Frank Williams. Amy Francis for the editorial board Question: Should athletic teams consider changing their names if they refer to a specific ethnic group (for example the Washington Redskins)? Hershini Bhana Senior African-American studies South Africa "I think the name of a team such as the Washington Redskins is objective. People should learn to become more sensitive and ask the people who are involved. The chop is pretty innocuous, but the war bonnet is going too far. More sensitivity to the cultures is needed." Andrew Chilson Freshman Undecided Fort Gibson, Okla "People have been too up in arms about this — there is too much political correctness. The names have been around a long time and were not intended to be demeaning." "Well, at the risk of irritating sports fans, the teams should change their names. As we become aware of derogatory terms in our culture, we have a responsibility to change the names. So much for sports." Cindy Entiren Doctoral student Social welfare Wichita Dan Ricci Graduate student American studies Lake Forest, ILL. "No, the names should not be changed because the names have formed an identity for sports fans. Sports is like a religion, and changing the names for fans would be like changing the name of the Catholic Church. And the fans have traditions — instead of going to mass, people do the chop and the wave." Jim McDonald Sophomore Pre-medicine Lawrence "No, I don't think the names should change. They named those teams to honor the groups. The war bonnet shouldn't be used, but the chop isn't degraded." Lisa Cumy Junior Speech pathology Rapid City, S.D. "I think the names themselves are 0K. But the fans should not use some of the symbols they do. The war bonnets have religious and tribal significance for Native Americans and should not be used." KANSAN STAFF by Tom Michaud HOLLY LAWTON Editor JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser Editors Editors News Erik Schultz Editorial Karen Park Planning Sarah Davis Campus Egor Goraki Sports Mike Andrews Photo Brian Schooni Features Tiffany Harness Graphics Melissa Unterberg KATIE STADER Business manager RICH HARSHBARGER Retail sales manager Business Staff Business Staff Campus sales mgr Brennan Bryant Regional sales mgr Jeanclaxton National sales mgr David McWilhane Co-op sales mgr Lisa Keeler Production mgrs Jay Steiner, Wendy Stetzler Marketing director Richard Creative director David Habigger Classified mgr Jennifer Jacquint JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words; must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliate with the University of Kansas must include class and homework, or faculty or staff position. Great columnas should be typed, double-spacing; fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photocopied. The Kanan reserves the right to reject or edit articles, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kanan newroom, 111 Suffer-Flint Hall. Loco Locals SO YOU VE DRESSED UP AS YOUR 17TH GRADE WOODSHOP TEACHER. BUT WHY GO TO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX? HOWEVER, I'VE GOTTEN: - SOME CAFFEINE TABLETS - ASPIRIN - SOME WHITE "TROJAN" BRAND BALLOONS ... BUT NO CANDY... BUT NO CANDY... COOL! COOKIE DOUGH! HEY... WHERE'S TH' BOOZE? ... and YEPED! -