4
Thursday, March 1, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Condom machines
In age when AIDS affects all college students, condom machines must become reality at KU
Two years after the initial proposal for condom machines in campus buildings
and almost a decade since the scare of AIDS hit the United States, University officials are still behind in recognizing the important role of the condom in preventing unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.
They say that they recognize this role but that they have done nothing about installing condom machines on campus because of the administration's thoughts on the this issue. David Ambler, vice chancellor for student affairs, said the University's mission was to educate.
The University also should work to preserve the well-being of its students. College students today have one of the highest AIDS contraction rates, and that fact cannot be ignored any longer.
Education is ideal; if everyone knew and recognized the consequences of unsafe sex, or if everyone on campus were cellibate, we would have nothing to worry about. But everyone on this campus is not cellibate, and there is increasing danger in sexual activity. We cannot pretend there is no problem; ignored problems do not go away.
Educators teaching about sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, urge the use of a condom; both education and action in the University community are obviously necessary.
Nearly one year ago a referendum held by the Student Senate AIDS Task Force showed that a majority of students wanted condoms in campus buildings.
Yes, Watkins Pharmacy and the Kansas Union Bookstores carry condoms. Many times, however, a condom is not needed between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. when these places are open. Students need to be able to purchase condoms at their convenience — when condoms are needed.
It is insane to think that students entering college have never thought about sex. Thinking that sexual arousal will be stimulated by the sight of a condom machine in a University bathroom is equally insane.
University officials need to recognize that although some people will be offended by condom machines on campus, a majority of students want condom machines in campus buildings; it is more offensive that the University should choose to jeopardize the health of its students.
Liz Hueben for the editorial board
Rock Chalk Revue
Students still have opportunity to support show
The biggest winner of the Rock Chalk Revue is not the group awarded best show or most charitable. The biggest winner is the Douglas County United Way, which receives all proceeds from the revue
The variety show, which features five minimusicals presented by various living groups, will open tonight in Hoch Auditorium. For the first time since 1975, audiences will witness a production by a non-greek group, with the University scholarship halls united as one entry.
Regardless of whether they win any production awards, the scholarship halls are putting in a strong first-run showing in ticket sales of more than $5,000 so far. Perhaps a new and welcome tradition has begun with the inclusion of the halls.
its 40-year history, from $16,000 in 1988 to
$24,000. This kind of record setting can and
should become, as much a tradition as the
revue itself.
Last year the revue set a record for fund raising. It had the largest jump in donations in
As of Tuesday, 2,000 tickets had been sold for tonight's show, and 1,800 had been sold for tomorrow's performance. Only Saturday is a sellout of 3,500 tickets.
Nearly 800 students have put forth the effort and sacrificed many hours to produce an entertaining show. They participate not only for a chance to be in the limelight but also to help others in need, which is the true spirit of Rock Chalk.
With many seats remaining for tonight and tomorrow's performances, the people of the KU and Lawrence communities have the opportunity to show they have the Rock Chalk spirit too.
Angela Baughman for the editorial board
Racism victimizes everybody
Every stereotype I've ever heard about Kansas State University was reinforced this week and I missed it. I learned something about racism.
"Hey Jew boy, Jew boy, you damned Jew," one of the men shouted as I walked by.
"Why didn't you do something?" he asked.
"They're drunk," I thought. "They'll leave in a minute."
I had seen racism and prejudice before but not a lot of it. I thought they were ignorant, I wasn't angry at them, I didn't like them, and said he didn't know I was Jewish.
They poured their beer on the shuffleboard table and stole the quarters people had placed to mark their spot in line. They dragged their hands through the speed powder and disrupted the game in an attempt to make people in the bar angry enough to fight them. They kicked in the bathroom doors if the person in front of them wasn't urinating quickly enough. They poured their beer on the bar and on the floor. They made sick comments about the women in the bar. They insulted whoever walked by. Soon they stooped to racial slurs.
I went to a local bar after the Kansas-KState game and met five or six men who said they were K-State students. They were in town for the basketball game and were angry because their team lost. We introduced ourselves and made polite conversation. So they got drunk and tried to start a fight.
Stan
Diel
Staff columnist
Then I got angry. I'm really not Jewish; I hadn't realized that they were talking to me. I'm white and middle-class and I grew up in the Midwest — a sheltered existence. I never had been the victim of such slur. Not often in my youth was I taunted with chants of "Epicopalian boy, Epicopalian boy, you damned Epicopalian boy." And so the thought of a racial attack directed against ME made me angry.
I became angry because the discrimination was directed at me. Not until hours later did I realize what I had done. When I thought the slurs were racist, I realized they were complacent. When I realized I was their target, I was fighting mad
The same thing happened in World War II and often is pointed to as one cause of the war. As Hitler's Nazis attacked one ethnic group, members of other ethnic groups would feel sorrow for the victims and maybe even anger toward the Nazis, but it would also mean they watched their Polish and Jewish neighbors being dragged off to be put to death and say, "It's not me." Then Hitler would get to them. And their neighbors would say the same thing.
My whole life I've said, "It's not me." This weekend it was me.
It took this event for me to realize that discrimination is a universal thing. The moral gravity of the problem is the same whether or not you are the victim. And the hatred exists around the world.
I watched interviews with white, rural South Africans on television in amazement last week. The whites were scared and mad. When asked what she thought of Blacks gaining control over Africa, one white woman said she loved a country where Blacks had a vote and basic civil rights.
"They're not human beings," she said.
A white man said he and his friend were stockpiling weapons because they would not allow South Africa to fall into the hands of a Black government. If Blacks received equal rights and his land was threatened with reapportionment, he said, he would "shoot them, shoot them in the head." The rural whites called the Blacks "monkeys" and "niggers."
When I saw these interviews I was appalled. I was amazed, I couldn't believe such ignorance still existed. But it wasn't me.
I am sure that one fleeting moment cannot begin to let me understand what being a lifelong victim of such discrimination would be like. But the next time I hear a racial slur, I won't say "it's not me," and I won't walk away.
Stan Diel is a Hutchinson senior majoring in journalism and economics.
LETTERS to the EDITOR Coverage lacking
We believe the coverage of the Hispanics of Today Conference in the Feb. 19 Kansan was insufficient. First of all, the story only addressed what occurred and failed to give the background about why such a conference was needed. This article ignored the fundamentals of journalistic reporting — illustrating the who, what, where, when, why and how.
The article should have brought out the fact that this conference was put on for the sole purpose of addressing the problems Hispanics face in education. The reality is that Hispanics are the poorest-educated group in the United States.
Another point of concern is that a cultural forum sponsored by the
Hispanic American Leadership Organization was not even mentioned in the Feb. 19 edition. In an effort to share part of our culture, we brought in one of the conference speakers a day early to give a pictorial history of Mexicans in the Midwest. It is disturbing to know that no story was printed although a Kansas reporter was present.
Once again the Kansan failed to capitalize on the opportunity to educate University students about minority issues. The HOT Conference was covered by the Topek Capital Journal, The Kansas City Star and Times, the Lawrence Journal-World and KCPT channel 19 in Kansas City, Mo. Yet it did not even make the front page of our very own student newspaper. This example shows the insensitivity your paper adds to the campus climate.
Angela Carventes, president, HALO
Eladio Valdez, president, Hispanics
of Today Council
News staff
Richard Breck.
Nielmil Niemi. Managing editor
Christopher R. Relaton. Newra editor
Jimmy Manning. Managing editor
John Milburn. Editorial editor
Candy Nieman. Campus editor
Mia Cordellian. Spotlight editor
E. Joseph Zurga. Photo editor
Stephen Kline. Graphics editor
Kla Barguelge. Amrief Fehman.
Tom Elson. General manager news advs
Mergert Townsend ... Business manager
Tami Rank ... Retail sales manager
Misery Miller ... Campus sales manager
Kathy Rollins ... Regional sales manager
Mike Lehman ... National sales manager
Mindy Morris ... Co-op sales manager
Nata Stamos ... Production manager
Andrew Procter ... Assistant product manager
Carrie Slandinka ... Marketing director
James Glaannp ... Creative director
Jarret Rorholm ... Classified manager
Wiley Slater ... Test manager
Jeanne Hines ... Sales and marketing adviser
Business staff
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and less than 200 words and must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University of Kansas, please include class and homework, or faculty or staff position. Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and less than 700 words. The writer will
The Karakal reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They may use their own illustrations in any column but must include the column names and cartoons as the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. All letters are subject to review.
Despite tragedy,ballplayer never quit
One of the most important lessons we can learn is to keep trying. Given our human condition, it is important to realize that our problems, shortcomings and failures are parts of life and that the mark of a person is how well one attempts to recover from setbacks during a lifetime.
Although he died Saturday at 45, former major league baseball player Tony Conigliaro never stopped trying to overcome a series of debilitating struggles. Tony C, as he was affectionately known, faced more adversity in his short life than almost anyone I've heard of. Because the team had been through most KU students' lives I would like to share with you the triumphs and tragedies of Anthony Richard Conigliaro.
Tony C was a hometown boy who burst into the Boston Red Sox starting lineup as a 19-year-old rookie outfielder in 1964 and hit 24 home runs while batting .290. The next season he hit 32 home runs to lead the American League in 1967, Tony C was named league MVP, and ball, ball history, hit .104, home runs.
However, in August 1867, six weeks before the Red Sox reached the World Series, Tony C lay motionless in the batter's box at Fenway Park, the victim of an unintentional bean ball. The ball, which hit his head with
Courage carried Tony C back to the Red Sox in 1969. He hit a game-winning home run on Opening Day and earned Comeback Player of the Year honors with 20 home runs. The next year he reached a career high with 36 home runs. Then the Red Sox, knowing his vision wasn't quite right, traded him to the California Angels. Tony C, uprooted and unsure of himself, quit midway through the
such force that it acreed to the on-deck circle and silenced the home crowd with its sickening thud, shattered his left cheekbone, dislocated his jaw, blurred his vision to 20-300, scarred his matinee-idol looks with a blackened, swollen-shut eye socket and jeopardized his life, let alone his career.
But Tony C came back. His vision improved remarkably in 1968 during rehabilitation. Somehow he summoned the inner strength to dig in and face 90-mph fastballs and wicked curveballs that appear aimed at one's skull until breaking over the plate.
Again he bounced back. He had a strong audition for a TV analyst job
1971 season.
Success and failure followed Tony C to sportscasting, his next career. He won a local Emmy for sports features while with KGTV-TV in San Francisco. But he was fired from that job and from a subsequent one in May 1981 because he refused to change his style. He endured unemployment, missed a network tryout and lost his basketball and had a business severely damaged by a mudslide in the remaining months of 1981.
for Red Sox games on his 37th birthday, Jan. 7, 1982. He was in good spirits two days before the other Bill also a former Red Sox player, drove him to the Boston airport for a business trip. On the way, though, Tony C was stricken with a heart attack. His brother sped to a hospital where
By staying in excellent shape, Tony C was able to make another comeback with the Red Sox in 1975. But his skills had slipped.
CAMP UHNEELY
Most people, stricken as he was,
never recover. But Tony C had one
more comeback left while bed-rid-
den. He was able to talk, recognize
people and catch a foam ball, all
remarkable feats for his condition.
Tony C was revived but then fell into a coma because his brain had gone without oxygen for several minutes. He remained semi-comatose for several weeks.
Tony Congiariole spent half of his life coming back from a succession of brutal events, the kinds of setbacks that often stop a lesser person cold. Yet he persevered. May he find peace now, and may we learn from the example of this extraordinary person.
Eventually he was able to go home, but he required constant care from the doctor.
> Steve Buckner is a Lawrence graduate student in journalism.
BY SCOTT PATTY
HELLO, PROFESSOR,
Sorry to BOTHER YOU AT HOME
SO LAST AT NIGHT, BUT I'm
HAVING TROUBLE FALLING ASLEEP
Do You THINK YOU COULD
RECITE ONE OF YOUR LECTURES