University Daily Kansan / Monday, February 18, 1991
Campus/Area
3
Conference focuses on stereotypes
By Lara Gold
Kansan staff writer
Dispelling societal misconceptions about African-American women and families was the focus of the Black Women's Conference on Saturday.
"We are portrayed as true slurs or true virgins," said Norma Norman, associate director of minority affairs at the Pine Room in the Kansas Union.
She said the African-American
received because of stereotypical myths.
The conference was organized by Ujima, an African-American women's organization at the University of Kansas.
Norman passed out a list of misconceptions about the African-American family compiled by Lerone Bennett for Ebony magazine. In conference discussions she misconceived that concerned them the most.
Arda Tippett, executive board member of Ujima, said she was concerned about the misconception that uncontrolled sex was at the root of the African-American family problem
"These strong stereotypes work to destroy the Black family," she said.
Norman said there was no proof that he had been more sexually active than whites.
Tippett said negative portrayals of African-Americans on television and in the media also had perpetuated this myth.
"These talk shows find these people who will say anything dysfunctional."
Another myth is that African- American cannot sustain a culture.
"What can be done to break the cycle?" she said. "Something should be done that would perpetuate and sustain the Black family."
"We have to fight, fight, fight to make a change," she said.
Students at the conference also agreed that education was the best weapon to negate stereotypes and increase awareness.
Three-point cards promote Margin financing
By Michael Christie
Kansan staff writer
The Jayahaws could have cooperated a little more money than Margin of Excellence. They had received many prizes and have received many prizes.
The three-point cards are rectangular cards, 9 inches by 11 inches, with "Fund the 3rd year of the Margin of Excellence" printed on the front. The "3" is printed largest on the card, and whenever a KU player makes a three-point shot, fans are simulated to wave the cards.
By making only three three-point baskets in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats, the 'Hawks gave 9,000 fans little reason to hold up the three-point cards that Associated Students of Kansas passed out in hopes of gaining more support for the Margin.
The Jayhawks average almost six three-point goals a game, slightly more than 42 percent of their attempts. On Saturday, the Jayhawks made only three of 12 three-point attempts.
On the backs of the cards, the Margin is explained, including what individuals can do to encourage the Legislature to finance the Margin's third year.
Mike Beaven, Shawnee senior, was at the game Saturday. He said he noticed students tearing the cards so that only the "3" was left on the table before into airplanes before the game started, he said.
shots "
"It was a good idea," he said, referring to the cards. "We didn't make many three-point
Greg Hughes, ASK campus director, said he was not disappointed with the results of ASK's efforts at the game. By passing out 9,000 cards, ASK informed many people about the Margin and what they could do to help get its third year financed. he said.
"If 1,000 of those people or 200 of the alums write their legislators, a lot can get done because those are the people with the pull in their districts," Hughes said.
Ron Klein/KANSAN
Sing out loud
Members of Inspirational Gospel Voices, an ensemble of KU students, sing during the finale of their musical presentation celebrating African-American History Month. The group performed for about 150 people Friday at the Big Eight Room in the Kansas Union.
City examines ethics proposal
By Vanessa Fuhrmans
Kansan staff writer
Lawrence city commissioners want to establish a code of ethics, but exactly how rigid it should be remains unclear.
The commission will discuss a proposed code for commissioners and advisory board members tomorrow.
Although a state statute requires elected and appointed officials to disclose all financial interests, the city does not have a written set of ethics guidelines, said David Corliss, city management analyst.
But when a question of conflicting interests led to the resignation of a planning commissioner last year, the city staff to draft an ethics code.
However, now that a code has been drafted and has received responses from commissioners and board members, the commission is not sure how restrictive the code should be in conflict of interest situations.
Commissioner David Penny said an ethics code that was extremely restrictive and specific in defining the role of a paradox in city government.
The people who are best qualified to serve on an advisory board, such as a staff member in housing advisory and appeals board, often have financial or personal
interests in that area. Penny said.
"It's kind of a catch-22," he said. "Most of your professionals are going to have business contacts with people who have qualified people on these boards."
Penny said that if the code was too specific it would do more harm than good.
"If we get into details and try to cover details, then we're going to run into problems." he said.
Mayor Shirley Martin-Smith also said that a restrictive code would inhibit capable people from serving on boards.
"I've talked to people on boards, and they we indicated that they would resign if we passed something so strict." she said.
Martin Smith said she hoped the commission would approve the code of ethics merely as a set of principles rather than an ordinance or resolution.
"This city is pretty straightforward on ethics," she said. "It's a small community, and lots of people have overlapping interests. It really should serve as a reminder to be sensitive."
However, Commissioner Bob Schumm said he thought the code of ethics would not have much effect if it was not approved in the form of an ordinance.
By Sarah Davis
By Sarah Davis
Kansan staff writer
Students who wish to know more about a foreign country only need travel as far as Wescoe Hall.
That is where they can watch live or taped programs of newscasts or dialogue skits from 25 countries.
John Huy, director of the Ermal Ginger Academic Resource Center, the language lab, said watch programs was helpful to the students.
"The benefits are enormous," he said. "It can assist their language learning or keep them in touch with what's going on in a country."
For two years, the University of Kansas has been a member of Satellite Communications For Learning of Creighton University, where students can use satellite the programs to KU via satellite to a dish on Westcove.
The departments of French and Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and German and Slavic have monitors that you can receive broadcasts directly.
Huy said students watched the programs for several reasons.
Some students are required to watch programs for classes, some want to polish their language skills, and some international students
'It can assist their
'It can assist their language learning or keep them in touch with what's going on in a country.'
director of the language lab
want to watch the news from their home country, he said.
"There been a lot of interest in the news," Huy said. "We have quite a few students who come by on a regular basis."
Steve Muret, Oklahoma City graduate student, was watching a tape for his Portuguese class.
He said he thought the programs were a good idea.
His instructor, Antonio Simoes, assistant professor of Spanish and Portuguese, he said suggested that his students watch the programs because they gave a new perspective on the language.
Filmmaker challenges usual stereotype
"The learning process is very valid," Simoes said. "It's quite useful. It can add to what they do in the classroom."
"They can't do anything but help." Muret said. "Sometimes he also is more specific. It can help with listening comprehension."
Spike Lee's movies cause controversy deal with many African-American issues
By Connie Goetz
Special to the Kansan
Spike Lee makes movies. He also makes people think.
The filmmaker's multiple talents as a writer, director and actor have created films so radically different from what the public is accustomed to that they visually challenge the audience. Through his work, Lee has dramatized the conflicts facing many African-Americans today.
Lee, 34, rapidly has become one of the nation's most successful film director. Following the success of his debut film, "She's Gotta Have It." Lee produced two more films, "School Daze" and "Do the Right Thing," which were based on controversial issues.
"School Daze" dealt with the poignant issues of color, politics and class by confronting racism in a contemporary world. These topics, which are often unusey, probably contributed to its tenid performance at the box office.
"Do The Right Thing" won raves, yet provoked debates about whether oppressed people should use violence to overcome injustice and racism.
Lee has said that he tried to tell a good story and made thought-provoking statements.
African-American History Month
aggressive work consistently stirred up controversy.
He maintains that it is his right as a filmmaker to portray people in alluding ways.
Recently, Lee launched his fourth
Recently, "Mo' Better Blues," which
avoids the sensitive issues of his past
films and strongly focuses on
romance. Lee said he wanted to do
a jazz movie that would not portray
an American jazz musicians as
stereotypically dependent on drugs
and alcohol.
Lee's films are populated almost entirely by African-American actors, and he said that what he liked best about filmmaking was the opportunity to find unheard of African-American talent.
Lee is considered to be a great hope who is breaking down the barriers of confusion, both in and out of the film business, that restrict African-Americans today. Opportunities in the film industry have opened up for
"Every time there is a success, it makes it easier for other Blacks," said the Brooklyn whose social activism extends to his films and also is demonstrated by his contributions to the United Negro College Fund.
African-Americans because Lee has proven that his films can be profitable.
From his films, soundtracks, videos, Nike and Levi's 500 commercials, it is clear that Spike Lee is an
original Lee brings traditionally African-American culture into a mainstream that once was strictly dominated by whites.
Most importantly, Lee has challenged prevailing values by exploring issues, such as racism, that many people are not comfortable discussing in public. He also makes people think. In his ability to accomplish this, Spike Lee truly continues to "do the right thing."
99c VIDEOS
*Every Tape
*Every Day
*Latest New Releases
*Enormous Selections
SAC'S SPECIALS & CLOSEOUTS
25th and lowa (Next to Food-4-Less)
842-7810 Hours: 9-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
10-6 p.m. Sun.
Video Department
CHINESE BUFFET
lunch/dinner $3.99-$5.75 All-You-Can-Eat
PEKING RESTAURANT FREE Delivery 749-0003
2210 Iowa (Iowa & 23rd)
Johnny's CLASSIC BURGERS 9th & Illinois
We've been serving you great burgers at the bar for years, now get great burgers in your car.