4A the university daily kansan opinion EDITORIAL BOARD monday, february 23, 2004 Volunteer event staff do not deserve strict policy Dear Allen Fieldhouse ushers. It's come to our attention that more than a few of you are having too much fun on the job as of late. OURVIEW if event staff are expected to act professionally, they should be treated as such. Well, this needs to stop. games. In the purposes of fairness to you, our unpaid volunteers, we've decided on a few new rules that will dictate how you are to conduct yourselves at Jayhawk basketball First and foremost, while working, you are to watch the crowd and not the game. Basketball games here at the University of Kansas are strictly business. They are not meant to be a source of enjoyment, especially for you, our unpaid volunteers. Zach Newton for The University Daily Kansan In other words, check your excitement at the door; there is to be no cheering or clapping. You're no longer allowed to be passionate about the team you love so much. Second, we've decided to install a new dress code that all of our unpaid volunteers must adhere to. You must arrive at the games in nothing less than ironed slacks, collared shirts or blouses, tucked in of course, and dress shoes. We understand that many of you, our unpaid volunteers, are elderly and standing around in dress shoes for four or more hours may be uncomfortable. But, we've received several complaints from fans that the shoes many of you are wearing are unacceptable for a college basketball game. A gym is the last place in the world that someone should be wearing tennis shoes. Tardiness will not be tolerated. We feel that these new rules will provide a better game experience for everyone, especially you, our unpaid volunteers. Just remember to leave your houses an hour or so earlier so when you have to park a couple of miles away; you won't be late. Finally, the parking passes we've issued you, our unpaid volunteers, no longer really mean anything. Now, just park where you can find a spot. If any of you feel that these new rules are unfair, feel free to quit. We are currently putting the finishing touches on a prototype crowd-watching robot that will, hopefully, one day eliminate the need for you. our unpaid volunteers. led for you, our unpaid volunteer Sincerely, Sincerely All your friends at the Kansas Athletics Department. WORD TO THE MOTHERSHIP Heritage month time to recall Once again it's February. It's our month. It may be the shortest, but it's still our month. Now, more than ever, I look forward to Black History Month. When I was younger the month came and went as any other. Today I see the significance of having our own month. COMMENTARY Brian Pearson opinion@kansan.com In honor of this most glorious 29 days, I would like to come to the defense of one of my beloved role models: Malcolm X. I recently read an article that criticized Malcolm X for having "praised the advancement of a singular race." I think it is an injustice to summarize a man of such importance in one simple statement. I started to learn more about Malcolm X through his autobiography and books In 1992, when the film X was released, I stood in line at the movie theater with my X hat on, waiting anxiously to see what all the fuss was about. Like many standing in the line I had caught on to the "X" craze because of four simple, powerful words, "by any means necessary." I had no knowledge of who Malcolm X was as a man, or any knowledge about the Nation of Islam, but "by any means necessary" sounded good to me. I watched the film with the rest of my friends and after about two months, the "X" craze faded away. But, Malcolm X became more important to me as I grew older. containing his speeches. Largely misunderstood, Malcolm saw "Amerika," as the impoverished masses saw it oppressive and insensitive to the basic needs of the poor in the ghettos. Malcolm X did not simply just see our differences, he saw how those differences affected his people. Today these differences still exist, no matter how much we try to ignore them. I am not a racist, nor am I committed to the belief that if we, as Americans, just got to know each other better, or simply understood more about each other, we could achieve some kind of Rodney King utopia where we all just got along. Often when people hear about Malcolm X or hear his speeches, they automatically call him "anti-white" or "anti-Christian" or even a teacher of hate. To get a better perspective of why this occurs I spoke with Madison Davis Lacy, a visiting film professor. Lacy made a Malcolm X documentary, titled Eyes on the Prize, which was part of a series of films that focused on black leaders. "People often put Malcolm X and Martin Luther King as opposites; which is true." Lacy said. "However, Martin and Malcolm were not against each other. In fact, Malcolm came to the aide of the Civil Rights Movement during Bloody Sunday in 1965." Lacy went on to speak of how the trips to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, changed Malcolm's perspective." Once he broke from the Nation of Islam, his thoughts began to evolve and Malcolm was going through a transformation." In the 21st century we have yet to see a leader as magnificent and intelligent as Malcolm X. His kind of leadership is non-existent in our time. When it came to intellectual debates Malcolm X was invincible. The more enraged his opponents became, the happier Malcolm was. He wanted them to feel like black people felt. Malcolm X blessed black people's rage by releasing it. The difference between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X was simple. King had a dream. Malcolm X saw a nightmare. Pearson is a Wichita senior in film studies. Free for All Call 864-0500 Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded. For more comments, go to www.kansan.com --- I am watching President Bush talk about liars in the economy. How ironic is that? Has anybody noticed that lak that formed on Louisiana? Lawrence roads are worse than Missouri roads by far. Panhellenic: you cut our summer and you die. You would think that after 100 years you guys could figure out how to write a better paper. - Why is it that when I park in a red zone with a yellow permit I get a ticket but nothing happens to the guy that parks in the yellow zone with a red permit? - To whatever girl gave my number out to some guy: He called last night and his name is Mike. 图 - I used a Bible for a mouse pad. Does that mean I am going to hell? Hey moron, have you priced a John Deere tractor lately? I didn't think so. I was just sitting in Wescoe and I saw a girl that looks just like a rat. Apparently the girl in the Durango can't park her car, not because there isn't parallel parking in Texas. I just saw someone get tackled by four cops. That made my weekend. This is for the guy who was walking barefoot in front of Mrs. E's last Thursday; I love you. You are really cool. My milkshake brings all of the boys to the yard. - Thank God for warm weather and boys who have their shirts off. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Wrong statistics The Pachyderm, the official publication and "voice of reason of the KU College Republicans," broke onto campus last week in typical Republican fashion — when advancing the party line never forgo exploiting racial tensions. The group has charged that African Americans are overrepresented in Student Senate. Their statistics show that five African-American senators compose 7.5 percent of Student Senate, but only 2.7 percent of students. How do five senators out of 85 produce a 7.5 percent composition? I'm confident five is 5.8 percent of 85. The intent of the appointed seat is to remedy the potential and often under-representation experienced by minority members on campus. If College Republicans really intends to discuss the disproportionate composition of Student Senate why not discuss the overwhelming degree of over representation enjoyed by scholarship halls and the Greek community. Time and time again Republicans have demonstrated their willingness to racebait issues instead of constructing reasonable, solid and well-rounded arguments. My advice: don't bite the bait. Racial tension I wish to respond to the column, "Death of Aborigine" in Friday's Kansan. A couple of days ago I heard that an Aboriginal man named Thomas Hickey the Redfern neighborhood in Sydney had died. The news article also said that an unknown train station there was devastated in the aftermath of his death, possibly by the enraged Aboriginals. Redfern is possibly the most politically racial hotspot in the country. Hickey should never have died. However, the anger of the Aboriginal community has blinded them to the efforts made to repatriate them back into society. Few Aboriginals seek higher education or employment. Throughout Australian history, Aboriginals have been made outcasts by my people because of their skin, similar to African Americans in this country. When I was 17, I was confronted by a group of drunk, angry Aboriginals. They verbally threatened me and spat at me because of my white skin. I do not defend the actions of the police but I do defend their intentions. I pity Hickey, but I feel no more sympathy for him than a person of different heritage. Tyler Rand Longpine Hays senior political science Racial acceptance is a two-way street. The first session for personal counseling is no charge for the first session if the health fee is paid and $11 for subsequent sessions. Services are provided by either full-time senior staff, or interns or practicum students under the supervision of a senior staff member, and all services are confidential. The fee for career counseling is a $25 all-inclusive charge that covers all career assessment instruments and an unlimited number of career counseling sessions. The article mentioned that Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) located in Watkins Health Center offers psychiatric services if medication is indicated. In addition to having a full time psychiatrist, CAPS also offers a wide range of counseling and psychological services as well. These include individual, couples, group counseling and career counseling. Patrick Slean University of Wollongong in Australia exchange student in civil engineering For more information please call CAPS at 864-2277 or visit our Web site at www.caps.ku.edu. Thank you for running the column "Seek help if you feel depressed" by Jonathan Reeder on Feb. 13 about the benefits of counseling for depression and other problems. Psychological services John Wade Counseling and Psychological Services First, pointing out that Kerry is wealthy is irrelevant; what matters is what policies he would support. It is reassuring, however, to note that Kerry is connected to Heinz money, and not oil money (like Cheney and Bush) because I don't see Kerry lying about weapons of mass destruction to spread the use of ketchup around the globe. Pirotte forgot to mention the faulty intelligence that was exploited to justify the invasion of Iraq and the incessant questioning of patriotism that Bush used against Democrats to bully our country and the world into a war that is turning out to be a dangerous mistake. Second, it may be news to Pirotte that people pay income taxes in this country proportional to how much money they make. What should be a major concern about the IRS statistics Pirotte mentioned is the huge wage gap in the U.S. — the average CEO's salary is 400 times that of the average worker. Candidate misrepresented The column in Tuesday's Kansan, "Exploring' Democrat's campaign exposes holes," by Matt Pirotte is full of holes itself. Tom Keating Marysville junior political science KU Young Democrats president HOWTOSUBMIT GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES Maximum Length: The Kansanwelcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Meghan Brune or Johanna M. Maska at 848-4924 or e-mail at opinion@kansan.com. If you have general questions or comments, e-mail Michelle Romback at mburhnn@kansan.com. KANSAN Michelle Rombeck editor 884-4854 or mburhenn@kansen.com LETTERGUIDELINES 650 word limit **Include:** Author's name Class, hometown (student) Position (faculty member) **Also:** The Kansan will not print guest columns that attack another columnist. Meghan Brune and Johanna M. Maska opinion editors 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com Andrew Vaupel managing editor 864-4854 or vaupel.kansan.com **Maximum Length:** 200 word limit **Include:** Author's name and telephone number Class, hometown (student) Position (faculty member) Danielle Bose business manager 864-4358 or addrction@kansan.com Stephanie Graham retail sales manager 864-4358 or adsales.kansan.com Melcolm Gibson general manager and news adviser 864-7687 or mgibson@kansan.com Matt Fisher sales and marketing adviser 864-7666 or mfisher@kanan.com SUBMITTO E-mail: opinion@kansan.com Hard copy: Kansan newsroom 111 Staffer-Flint Kendall Dix ★ Amanda Flott ★ Lynzee Ford Laura Francoviglia ★ Anna Gregory Amy Hammontree ★ Kelly Hollowell ★ Teresa Lo Stephanie Lovett ★ Mindy Oakborne Greg Holmquist ★ Ryan Scarrow ★ Sara Behunek Kevin Flaherty ★ Brandon Gay ☎ Zack Hemenway Alex Hoffman ★ Kevin Kampwilt ☎ Amy Kelly Cameron Koilling ★ Courtney Kuhl ☎ Brandi Mathiesen ★ Travis Metcalf ☎ Mike Norris Jonathan Reeder ★ Erin Fiffey ☎ Alex Smith ☎ Karlimmerman Editorial Board Members Kendall Dir Amanda Flatt Lynzee Ford . 1