4a
Opinion
Monday, March 5, 2001
Perspective
National, racial unity requires confronting fear
For comments, contact Chris Borniger or Nathan Willis at 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com
used to worry about things such as Black History Month or Black Entertainment Television
Something apparently so race-specific — wasn't that racist? Or, at least, didn't such racially labeled institutions increase racial tension and divisions? If different races listened to different music and watched different TV shows, how would we ever find common ground to tie us together? Wasn't this a threat to our national unity?
concern was voiced by one Free for All caller who declared that if we had a White History Month or a TV channel devoted only to White entertainment, we would call it racist. I agree, but not at all for the reason that caller might think.
A slightly different version of this same
The truth is, most of our media are produced by and marketed to White Americans. That's not inherently bad except that it tends to result in images and
David
Grummon
columnist
gordon@kansan.org
media coverage that cater to that dominant group, generally casting people who look like me in a good light and all too often, even with local campus coverage, casting minorities in a negative light.
Always? No. Intentionally? Rarely, but the effect is the same. Negative images and ster eotypes sneak into our minds, and we gain subconscious prejudices which seem common sense, such as thinking some groups are naturally more violent than others. Meanwhile, the values and views of the dominant culture are reinforced as normal and All-American.
Our sense of history is the same. If we are taught only of the accomplishments of the dominant culture, the contributions of minorities are swept aside, leaving us with the misconception that only the dominant culture built this country and its members are its only true citizens.
So how do we correct a lie that we don't even realize we're perpetuating? Redefine and educate people. During Black History Month, we can raise awareness of the positive and important roles people of African descent have had in the development of America and the world. BET, besides targeting a specific demographic marketing group (as most media companies do), airs music, movies and news from an African-American point of view. Through these institutions, African Americans can define themselves and educate others.
So I honestly was surprised when I read a Black History Month bulletin board and found that African Americans have been responsible for or contributed to all kinds of inventions such as the fountain pen (W.B. Purvis), the lawnmower (Johnathan A. Burn), and the helicopter (Paul E. Williams). I learned something, and it helped dispel stereotypes that linger in my mind.
When I watch BET, I hear perspectives different than those I grew up with, and I see more positive images of African Americans than I do anywhere else.
When I look back at the fears I once had about such race-specific institutions, I understand some people's concerns. But today I see Black History Month and BET as institutions through which I can better understand my fellow Americans. And that's the point — not to exclude or demean or polarize Americans, but to help us understand each other better.
Why is that important? As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Men hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other." So instead of fearing, I chose to try to get to know and understand other people, especially those groups of people I didn't grow up with or don't understand.
To those worried about Black History Month or BET, I invite you to do the same. Talk to and get to know people who don't look like you. Take opportunities such as Black History Month to learn about people who don't look like you. Flip over a few channels every now and then and listen to different perspectives on American life. You just might be surprised at what you learn.
Grummon is a Beloit second-year law student.
Chan Lowe/TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Kansan.com poll
Last week's question: Should Student Senate give funds to religious student organizations?
Yes. All student organizations deserve funds.
- Yes, but Senate must ensure student money doesn't finance religious activities.
No. Financing those groups would violate the constitutional wall between church and state.
No. There is no way to ensure the groups won't use money for religious activities.
Next week's question: Do you plant to vote in the city commission elections April 3? Log on to www.kansan.com to cast your vote.
This poll is not scientific. Numbers do not add up to 100 percent because of rounding. Total votes: 92
Perspective
Silly campaign tactics merit reforming Senate
I may just be me, but this Student Senate election thing seems just a little silly. I was under the impression that in most campaigns there were parties that had particular ideologies, espoused a platform, and ran candidates that would then be held accountable for their performances (or lack thereof).
These elections, however,
always feature parties with
oddly defined issues and
candidates that, from what's
been reported, are only marginally interested in attending meetings and even less interested in the issues once elected.
I started thinking about all this when I read VOICE student body president candidate Jessica Bankston refuted an allegation that VOICE was a carbon copy of United Students by stating "I'm not running under the name
United Students because I'm not Ben Walker." I could think of only three situations in which that statement could make any sense: (a) Ben Walker copyrighted the United Students logo; (b) Walker is the devil, and Bankston does not believe in supporting the pernicious platforms espoused by United Students; or (c) United Students never really stood for anything to begin with. I think the third option is the most likely.
Robert Chamblelain columnist opinion@anasan.com
Delta Force, on the other hand, has a five-year history as the party that has never been convicted
After all, if people who are not Abraham Lincoln can run under the banner of "The Party of Lincoln" because they believe the same things as other Republicans, I fail to see why Bankston wouldn't run under the United Students banner if she thought that coalition's belief system mirrored her own
The point is, not having been convicted of campaign violations shouldn't be a source of pride; it's supposed to be the norm. But this year, all the students who never really let go of student government in high school will be atwitter for weeks about some violation that will have little to do with the outcome of the election.
of a campaign violation. I've always found it ironic that the anti-establishment party took its name from a movie about a group of trained killers who fly around the world and do the bidding of The Man, but that's beside the point.
The Resume Builders were right. Student Senate is a repository of folks for whom being a student senator is its own justification. Playing politics and expanding senators' resumes appear to be its two major functions.
Here's my plan for Senate: Anyone who wants to can be named "His or Her Majesty" (insert name here), President and Ruler of KU-Lawrence Campus, Grand Master of the Med Center and High Councilor of the Affiliated Institutions" by checking a block on the sorring enrollment form.
The new presidents would never have to meet, but they could gossip about each other in a Kansan column. Senate's fiscal responsibilities would be turned over to the chancellor's office, where they would be dealt with quickly and without 27-hour long meetings. If you wanted something done, you could just send a petition up the hill.
This new system would benefit everyone. Anyone who wanted to could put "President of KU" on applications, all the would-be politicians and political reporters could still chatter about meaningless "scandals" if they so desired, and the 75 percent of us who don't vote could avoid being accosted on Wescoe Beach, bombarded in the Kansan and otherwise generally annoyed by the pettiness of Student Senate elections.
Now that's a platform we can all endorse.
Chamberlain is a Topeka junior in political science.
Editorial
'Net content should be free of restrictions
The University should avoid policing Internet servers despite the investigation of an employee for child porn.
The investigation of a University of Kansas employee for possession and distribution of child pornography highlights what the University can do to regulate content on the e-mail and Internet services it provides to students and employees.
Some would argue that had the University performed regular monitoring of its employees' e-mail, it might have helped to end a ring of child pornography sooner. Although preventing child pornography and other crimes perpetrated via the Internet is legitimate, the University should not step into the shoes of a police agency. It must respect the privacy of students and employees.
As an Internet Service Provider, the University may intercept its users' electronic communications. Under federal law, if the University had any evidence that the professor had been involved in transmitting or receiving child pornography, it would have been required to turn him or her in to authorities.
The University has no distinct policy for content on its servers. Students' electronic communication is treated the same as other forms of expression. Campus communication is governed by the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, which states "discussion and expression of all views are permitted within the University, subject only to requirements for the maintenance of order."
Marilu Goodyear, vice chancellor for information services and chief information officer, said the University investigated Internet conduct when it received a complaint. The only other times investigations are warranted are when conduct disrupts network communications, constitutes harassment or violates the law. Students are not subject to arbitrary monitoring of e-mail or Internet use.
Goodyear said that Student Senate would be considering building a Website that clearly explains University and federal guidelines, but that the existing policy would not change
1. nis is precisely how it should remain. The actions of a University employee, no matter how egregious, should not warrant any policy change that would affect student or employee privacy.
Spencer Farris for the editorial board
free all for 864-0500 864-0500
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kansan reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Slanderous statements will not be printed. For more comments, visit www.kansan.com.
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I read the article about the Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government. As an active participant, I felt that the fight shouldn't even have been written about, especially when so much more went on, i.e. the workshops, speakers and the hard work of the BSU members.
留
Attention Professor Simon Carrington:
Please do not leave.
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I think the Kansan should stop blaming the fraternity where Sean Scott drank and instead blame his parents.
America's long been known as a haven for minorities, a place where they may actually have a voice. It's too bad columnist John McCool suppresses this ideal.
if you have general questions or comments,
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Yay Student Senate. Having all the extra newspapers next year will be a great step for KU.
I think it's funny that Ben Walker justifies his vote for the newspaper program by saying that they are a representative body and used an unscientific poll where 75 people out of the entire campus voted for the project, and then he turns around in the same article and says he doesn't think they have to meet with the students.
I just want to congratulate the Kansan on its fantastic article, "Uncompromising Queer." It was absolutely fantastic.
磨
I find every one of John McCool's columns personally offensive, ignorant and deleterious to my most cherished ideals. But I will defend his right to write them. That's what freedom of expression is all about, McCool.
图
Jefferson Commons ads say, "Live,
learn, love." If you live there, learn this.
You can kiss your ever-lovin' security
 deposit goodbye. Hello, lawsuits.
--if you have general questions or comments,
e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com)
or call 864-4924.
B
For information regarding student seating at Allen Fieldhouse, go to kusports.com. Then click on student seating petition.
图
If there's a Black History Month just because of discrimination, then I think we need to have a Jewes History Month, a Scots History Month and a Gays History Month.
if you have general questions or comments,
e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com)
or call 864-4924.
The article "Christianity fails ..." is right on target. I wish more people would understand this.
Attention Sher Martin. If you are upset at the way women were treated in history, why not attack a history book instead of an entire religion?
篇
KU GTAs are overworked and underpaid. KU GTAs need better treatment and fair conditions from their employer.
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