4A the university daily kansan
opinion
thursday, february 12, 2004
EDITORIAL BOARD
Ban on Buzz unjust; students should have choice
Above the noise of whirring elliptical machines, clinking weights and squeaking tennis shoes, students working out at the Student Fitness Recreation Center can no longer hear music or programming from 96.5 FM, "The Buzz."
OUR VIEW
At the end of last semester, Student Recreational Services made the decision to stop playing the Kansas City-based alternative radio sta
Student Recreational Services should not have contol over which radio stations students listen to while they are in the Student Fitness Recreation Center.
We are adults. Recreation Services should not presume to tell us what is inappropriate to listen to. And if it is actually so shocking, why is it
tion because of numerous complaints received about its inappropriate content.
In doing so Recreational Services has made a large
misstep into the role as a gatekeeper for students, a move which is both unwarranted and unwanted. It grossly underestimates the maturity level of those who use the Recreation Center.
deemed fit to air on the radio in the first place? It is misguided and naive to think that by not playing a certain station, recreation services can shelter us from things we are exposed to every day.
Some of the complaints stemmed from the fact that high school students tour the facilities with their families, said Mary Chappell, director of Recreation Services. The programming on 96.5 FM was said to make a bad impression on these young visitors.
People who are concerned about a radio station making such a negative impact on prospective students should open their eyes to the reality of our society.
There is no expectation that the rec center will be able to play music that everyone can agree on entirely. People have specific and varied tastes when it comes to music.
What we can expect though, is for Recreation Services
to respect KU students enough to treat us like adults. College students listen to 96.5 FM and it should be as equally represented at the Recreation Center as any other station.
PERSPECTIVE
Country's conflicts breed tolerance, understanding
Before I left for Europe last spring, I thought I was educated about the international situation.
GUEST COMMENTARY
I was an international studies major. I read the papers and knew what was happening in Europe. I closely followed interactions between the United States and the rest of the Western world, which to me were the only international actors that mattered.
Leslie Kimmel opinion@kansan.com
On a Humanities and Western Civilization study abroad program, I found myself living in Italy and later France. Here I was, in the cultural capitals of the Western world, and I honestly believed that I was gaining all of the international knowledge I would ever need as an American.
At this time, tensions were escalating between the United States and Western Europe. But let me point out that these were political tensions, not personal tensions. I was living in Paris when the "freedom fries" epidemic broke out in
America. Americans became opposed to anything French because of the political situation.
Suddenly, my inbox was overloaded with e-mails from friends and family who were worried about my well-being. Some were afraid that I was being verbally harassed while others were afraid that I was in physical danger. Let me just say this once — I felt virtually no fear while I was abroad.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. The American reaction to my presence abroad taught me that there was a lot of cultural learning that needed to be going on between the United States and the rest of the world, and even though I was culturally aware, I still had a lot to learn.
I am happy that I had the opportunity to live abroad during times of international conflict. Any American has the option to travel abroad during time of peace, but who has the opportunity to do so when conflict is arising and new ideas are being exchanged? The answer is those who take advantage of the time and place.
I was able to gain a completely different world perspective while abroad, something that my American counterparts, who did not travel during this time, do not share with me. I understand that French relations with America aren't really as horrific as U.S. media like
to make out. I was forced to understand the viewpoints of Europeans I met instead of just being forced to read an article or two for a class.
Take advantage of being able to capture a piece of history. Travel in times when there is some knowledge to be gained that can't be found within the borders of the United States. While safety is always an issue, in most parts of the traveled world it isn't as much of an issue as some would like to make out. I am living testimony.
The Office of Study Abroad and other cultural organizations such as AIESEC are excellent ways for students to take advantage of this timely opportunity. With chapters in more than 85 nations, AIESEC is a global organization which is here for students and recent graduates to find internships or work in non-profit organizations abroad. AIESEC has a Salaam Exchange program, which is in
place to help aid understanding between the United States and traditionally Arab countries in Northern Africa, and will hold information sessions at 7:30 tonight at room 426 in Summerfield Hall for students wishing to work abroad. These organizations are in place for students to break through cultural barriers and understand their place in the world.
Studying abroad in a time of conflict is the best way to understand a culture. I spent three days in an Italian hospital, and my views on health care are changed for life.I spent months in Europe,and my views on American and European mentality will never be the same.
Just imagine how viewpoints of thousands of Americans could change if they were not afraid of seeing the rest of the world.
Kimmel is a Newton junior in journalism and international studies.
WAKE UP!
Hip-hop culture here to stay, more than fad
Hip-hop/rap and the hip-hop/rap culture are here to stay.
The art form has come a very long way since Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight." Their song was the first ever rap song to break into the top 40 charts and rap has enjoyed continued success to this day. Three of the top 10 albums on the Billboard's Top 200 list are rap records. Rap artist Twista's album Kamikaze debuted at the No.1 spot this week and Outkast is number two. Outkast has sold more than eight million copies of their Speakerboxx/Love Below album. Rap has been in the mainstream for more than 20 years, and it would appear that the culture is more than just a fad.
COMMENTARY
First of all, I would like to congratulate hip-hop duo Outkast, for receiving the coveted "Album of the Year" award at this years Grammys. This is a monumental accomplishment that could not have come at a better time for rap music.
Despite all of the advertisements that use hip-hop and all of the multi-platinum record sales rap artists enjoy, pundits such as Bill O'Reilly, host of The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, constantly attack rap's culture and blame many societal ills on the art form. What Bill
Brandon Cobb opinion@kansan.com
Whether critics like it or not, rappers are viewed as role models to young kids. I do not see anything wrong with children looking up to rappers such as Sean "P.Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z. They are excellent examples of achieving the American dream. Jay-Z grew up in Marcy Housing Projects in Brooklyn, N.Y., partaking in the negative activity of his surroundings. But he rose above the adversity to own a record label (Roc-a-fella Records) and clothing line (Rocawear). Now he is part of a team of investors who recently bought the New
O'Reilly and other critics fail to realize is that rappers make songs about their surroundings. If it were not for rap, many of the artists would be participating in the illegal activities that they rap about.
Jersey Nets with plans to move the franchise to Brooklyn.
P. Diddy lost his father at age three and grew up in a single-parent home like many children in America. He now owns a successful record label (Bad Boy), an internationally renowned clothing line (Sean John) and a magazine (Notorious).
Seldom do the media focus on the positives of rap music. There are rappers who use their fame and wealth to provide economic and educational opportunities for the less fortunate in their communities. Last year, Combs hosted a marathon called "Diddy Runs the City" that raised $2 million for New York public schools. Too often critics get caught up in the morality and negatives of rappers lyrics.
True, some rappers use language that may offend people, but it is their First Amendment right to freely express themselves. I never understood how opponents of rap music only focus on the negatives of the genre because they do not agree with its content. The solution is simple—do not listen to rap if it offends you.
Instead they should emphasize rappers coming from areas in poverty to become upstanding citizens and making a decent living for themselves.
Rap is creating young minority entrepreneurs, something this country greatly needs. Companies, from Pepsi to McDonald's, use the hip-hop culture to sell their products. Car companies were not putting TVs and DVD players in their vehicles until rappers made it cool. Rap record label Cash Money Records made a song called "Bling Bling" and now the term is in the Oxford English Dictionary. Even commercials use Snoop Dogg's "shizzle" language to sell products (i.e. Old Navy, AOL). Listening to rap has greatly affected my life in a positive manner, and I find myself as a senior in college looking up to the likes of PDiddy and Jay-Z. They are only 34 years old and own empires worth millions of dollars. That is definitely a goal to shoot for in the future.
The rap/hip-hop culture is more than just scantily clothed women dancing in videos, bling-bling, glorified violence and foul language. It is a creative movement that gives a voice to many, a profit-making machine and possibly the most influential culture to hit the United States in the past 25 years.
Cobb is a Kansas City, Kan., senior in political science.
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansas 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
Free for All Call 864-0500
To the person who lost their hub cap:
I have four in my room if you want
one:
to the guy in my persuasive speaking class; The real question is did I persuade you to want to date me?
To the girl that is looking for a man critter on Valentine's Day: Have mine. I don't want him.
to the guy in my persuasive speaking class; The real question is did I persuade you to want to date me?
KANSAN
Michelle Rombeck
editor
864-4854 or mburhenn@kansan.com
Andrew Vaupel managing editor 864-4854 or vaupel@kansan.com
Meghan Brune and Johanna M. Maska opinion editors 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com
Danielle Bose business manager 864-4358 or addactor@kansan.com
Stephanie Graham
retail sales manager
864-4358 or adsales@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson
general manager and news adviser
864-7687 or mgibson@kansan.com
Matt Fisher
sales and marketing adviser
864-7868 or mfisher@kansan.com
Editorial Board Members
Editorial Board Members
Kendall Dix ▪ Amanda Ford ▪ Lynzee Ford
Laura Francoviglia ▪ Anna Gregory
Amy Hammontree ▪ Kiley Hollow ▪ Teresa Lo
Amy Hamman Lovett **■** Mindy Osborne
Stephanie Lovett **■** Mindy Osborne
Greg Holmquist **■** Ryan Scarrow **■** Sara Behnke
Kevin Flaherty **■** Brandon Gay **■** Zack Hernenway
Alex Hoffman **■** Killing Kampwirth Amy Kelly
Cameron Koenill **■** Courtney Kuhlen **■** Brandi
Matheusen **■** Travis Metcalf **■** Mike Norris
Jonathan Reeder **■** Erin Riffley **■** Alex Smith
Kari Zimmerman
.