Monday, March 5, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 5
Letters to the editor
Asian-American relationship stereotypes unfair
I am responding to the article "Workshop explores Asian-American relationships" in last Friday's Kansan. I am surprised by the plethora of misleading statements and stereotyping of Asian females. First of all, it could be noted that Asian females such as myself are as different from one another as are American women. Asian women have undoubtedly as strong personal preferences in whom they wish to date as do Americans. It is probably not very meaningful to state that "many Asian females in Internet personal ads only wanted to date Caucasian men." It is most untrue that all Asian females want to date Caucasians or Asian women want their children to reflect a Caucasian image.
We Asians are not any less proud of our ethnicity than are Caucasians. We have pride in our own personality that transcends any racial stereotyping. I only wish that readers of the *Kanan* did not further misunderstand these misperceptions toward Asian women.
Mika Hama Japan, graduate student
Columnist's drinking tips nothing to laugh about
I was deeply saddened to read the front-page story in Friday's *Kansan* ("Plea entered in highway death"). The allegations surrounding the sources of the alcohol consumed by the 16-year-old driver of the vehicle that killed Fleecia Bland are disturbing. After reading this heartbreaking story of senseless grief, I was offended to turn to the opinion page and read Matt Overstreet's column, "Encounter with cons prompts drinking tips."
In this article, Mr. Overstreet attempts humor in regards to the behavior of an acquaintance who was arrested for attacking a police car while heavily intoxicated. Although Mr. Overstreet's article would be in questionable taste any time, the decision to print it in the same issue as the story about the tragedy on Kansas Highway 10 was insensitive, offensive and shameful. All this comes at a time when the University community is also grieving the loss of Shya McGee, a resident assistant, in another possibly alcohol-related tragedy. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I know that I am ashamed for you.
Tomme Sherwood
Custodial Crew Leader, Facilities Operations
Columnist's argument promotes art censorship
Oh my gosh! Someone showed John McCool the Brooklyn Museum of Modern Art's catalog from the "Sensation" show, and he didn't like it?
It is imperative to our society's growth that we, as taxpayers, support all the arts, Museums, theaters and concert halls would barely be able to continue without funding from sources such as the National Endowment for the Arts. After Mr. McCool's sad realization that the NEA will not die, he proposed that they adopt some "decency" codes to decide what art will receive funding.
Welcome to America, Mr. McCool. Such a code would be censorship. No one in this country has the power to promote any standards as to what qualifies as art. Thus,
Melissa Montgomery Leawood junior
all art deserves funding from the NEA, whether Mr. McCool likes it or not.
Columnist misrepresents roles in Christianity
We were saddened by the misrepresentation of Christianity in the Kansas ("Christianity fails to stay relevant in modern times," March 1) about the discrimination of women by Christianity. Throughout the gospels, Jesus searched out women who had been degraded and discarded by society and gave them attention and encouragement. During that era, women were ignored and, in the Jewish culture, not even allowed as witnesses in court. Jesus actively went outside the norm to speak with them, as with the women at the well in John 4.
Another instance is Rahab, a non Jewish prostitute who was included in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5) and in Hebrews 11 as a pillar of faith. The relationship between men and women is intended to be a partnership with slightly different but equal roles. The specifics are too complex to address here, but are in 1 Corinthians 7.
Another misconception is that sex is considered dirty. This is only true when applied to extramarital sex. Sex within marriage is a beautiful act of love that glorifies God. Song of Solomon is entirely devoted to romance, marriage and sex, which it covers graphically.
Overall, Christianity treats women as respectfully as men, and sex within marriage is a beautiful gift.
Sara Corbin
LaPorte, Texas sophomore
Sarah Schraeder
Hutchinson sophomore
Bands' budget cut prompts call for more funds
As student senators walked into the Union last Wednesday for what was expected to be a typical Student Senate meeting, they were bewilderingly welcomed by the serenade of upset KU Band members. The band's protest to receive funds emphasizes their need.
Uproar from the band has surrounded Student Senate since the Finance committee proposed a more than 20 percent cut in allocated funding to their organization. Taking away this substantial chunk of funding is rather dramatic, but the Finance committee established valid arguments for its rationale.
The groups that the KU Band have had to contend with for this money are in no way comparable in terms of service to the students. Although organizations such as the Lied Center and KU Band serve the freedom-of-expression-goers, programs such as Hilltop Child Care Center and the AIDS program benefit those in need on a far deeper physical and emotional aspect.
It's ridiculous that the KU Band is forced to compete with these types of organizations in order to stay in tune financially.
Despite these redundancies, the Finance committee should be commended for attempting to accommodate the organizations and dealing responsibly with cutbacks that have affected almost every area of the University. Hopefully, the KU Band will use alternative venues to find the funding their program thrives on.
Aurora, Colo., freshman and Nunenmaker student senator representing freshmen and sophomores
Jayme A. Aschemeyer
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