Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 2001)
Newsroom: (541) 3465511 Room 300, Erb Memorial Union PO.Box 3159, Eugene, OR 97403 E-mail: editor@dailyemerald.com Online Edition: www.dailyemerald.com Thursday, October 4,2001 Editor in Chief: Jessica Blanchard Managing Editor: Michael J. Kleckner Editorial Editor: Julie Lauderbaugh Assistant Editorial Editor: Jacquelyn Lewis Editorial Praise is due for teach-in efforts, ideas Participants of Tuesday night’s teach-in should be commended for their efforts to further educate the community about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and contemplate the pros and cons of retaliation. In an overwhelming act of support for the event, more than a thousand people crowded into the EMU Ballroom and then spilled out into the Maple Room, the Oak Room and the second floor lobby. The enormity and eagerness of the crowd shows how dedicated this community is to understanding and supporting the exploration of complex issues facing all Americans. The dialogue was balanced with opposing views on military action from University professors and organization members. Praise should be given to audience members who responded to the views peacefully and respectfully. A dis cussion of events of this magnitude warrants contrary points of view to be effective. The discussion was not simply an anti-war rally, but an introductory education in global poli tics and an exploration of alternatives to an American military response to the terrorist at tacks on the East Coast. ! I i The Concerned Faculty for Peace and Jus tice, which is composed of about 70 faculty members, did an excellent job of sponsoring and promoting the event. As the situation be tween the United States and Afghanistan pro gresses, more panel discussions should be en couraged, as they are obviously supported by the University community. The teach-in accomplished what a universi ty setting should provide for the community. The thoughtful discussion fostered an envi ronment where divergent ideas could be pre sented without judgment. Some of these ideas were reminiscent of two female lawmakers who voted against en tering into war in two different eras. Jeanette Rankin was a representative from Montana and the lone member of Congress to vote against the United States’ entry into both World Wars. In Rankin’s footsteps, Barbara Lee, a democrat from California, voted Sept. 14 against House Resolution 64, which en dorsed military action in retaliation to the ter rorist attacks three days prior. Whether you agree with their stance or not, these two women showed courage of convic tion, which was also prevalent in many of the ideas expressed during the teach-in. More people should show such courage in the un certain days and weeks to come. We thank the faculty group for starting the conversation. r. editorial editor Julie mM lauderbaugh, assistant editorial editor Jacquelyn Lewis, community representative Gabe Shaughnessy. Responses can be sent to limited to250 words and guest commentaries to 550 words. Please include contact information. The Emerald reserves the right to edit for space, grammar and style, The media’s not-somagic . AWS^'i-.V Wi*K«.V.V.V.' ...-.W.-.V.V.V.V. ^«... . We’ve heard a lot about how the media affect women’s self images. And it’s true. For as long as I can remem ber, I have been surrounded by images of the “ideal” woman. Since early child hood, I have felt the need to measure up to this ideal. From playing dress up to di eting to losing a suspicious amount of weight in high — snhnnl pvpfv pffnrt was put forth to achieve the glossy, elusive image of the perfect woman. I’ve never been fat. Not even before I went hungry in pur suit of an impossible goal, i ve never been ugly. Not even before I discovered makeup and Calvin Klein. But somehow I could never measure up to the image created by a combination of my own insecurities and the media’s sugges tions. I know I speak for thousands of women on this issue. Jcicjuc Lewis Assistant Editorial Editor I can say with complete truth that the images in magazines and commercials do encourage insecurities and eating disor ders in predisposed women. While it isn’t fair to blame the media for every insecuri ty or eating disorder, there can be no argu ment that popular images contribute to both. Studies upon studies have mirrored this correlation. Isn’t it funny how exces sively thin, “beautiful” women appear on both men’s and women’s magazines? They seem to scream, “Be thin, and life will be great! ” I got thin. I got thinner. Life didn’t get any better. It isn’t just men who perpetuate these images, either. Women’s magazines seem to show even thinner models on their cov ers. And we still buy them. I don’t know about other women, but I would rather see a picture of Tyson Beckford on the latest is sue of Glamour than Kate Moss. I also know that men feel me dia pressure to look good too—but that’s another article. I used to think the so lution to all of these woes was changing the media. However, one of the most important things I have learned through journalism classes and life is that rather than changing the world we have to change the way we think about it. There is no miraculous solution that will make every in secure girl or woman feel better about her self. It would certainly be wonderful if the me dia portrayed more va rieties of shapes, sizes, and ethnicity. But it would also be silly to think we could obliter ate images ingrained in our culture. We pur chase magazines be cause they give us a momentary escape irom real me. vve want _ the illusion they pres ent. But it’s important to know that’s ex actly what it is: an illusion. Sure, those models might look like god desses after three-week juice diets and air brushing, but in real life, they’re just peo ple. They get zits. They have fat days. It’s impossible to reach a standard that not even the models themselves can achieve in real life. It’s a hard thing to realize, but I know it can be done. Don’t get me wrong. I like magazines. I love the pictures. I also like how I look. But that’s only because I’ve realized you don’t have to weigh 80 pounds to be at tractive. It’s perfectly normal to want to be sexy, and as I see it, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. But you can “have it” without shrinking yourself to the unnatural and Steve Baggs Emerald oftentimes unhealthy weight we sp° on commercials, television and in maga zines. I’ve learned that it’s okay to thumb through the occasional fashion magazine, but you can’t let it become your magic mirror. It is possible to be a female, or a male for that matter, in this society, deal ing with today’s popular media images, and still have a healthy self-esteem. You just can’t let the images define how you feel about yourself. Only you should have the power to do that. Jacquelyn Lewis is the assistant editorial editor tor the Oregon Daily Emerald. Her views do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald. She can be reached at jacquelynlewis@dailyemerald.com. News briefs Military action will bring peace Three weeks after the attack on Ameri ca, the University of Oregon sponsored a teach-in designed to foster tolerance and peace worldwide. I would like to know how we can call for peace when 6,000 in nocent U.S. citizens were killed. When 6 million Jews were killed in Germany, the U.S. sent troops to bring peace and justice. I don’t think the killing would have stopped if we hadn’t inter vened militarily. Nevertheless, speakers in the teach-in said that open dialogue with our enemies will bring about peace. How do you negotiate with the Taliban, a regime that oppresses its people and har bors terrorists? Americans have a duty to prevent an other mass slaughter of their fellow citi zens. I do not advocate an attack against Muslim people. But I would like to pop the phony bubble of peace that people on this campus have created. I don’t want Sept. 11 to happen again. We need mili tary action and intervention to bring about peace, justice and safety for every American citizen. Cayla Campbell senior journalism/Spanish Emerald stereotyping adds insult to injury I found it interesting that in an editorial titled “Eugene healing needs to begin” (ODE, 10/01), the editorial board found it necessary for their healing process to in sult my birthplace and home, Springfield. Yes, I am from Springfield, and I was able to read the editorial, contrary to be liefs. I don’t have a pick-up truck. I am not inbred. I don’t play the banjo. I am just a University student trying to get an educa tion and take those upper-crust profes sional jobs from Eugene citizens. I don’t appreciate that a paper is so in sensitive that it would dare stereotype my town by mentioning a “thing” that killed and injured my friends. It seems the Emerald staff has some anger problems to work out. Maybe they should shop at Tar get more. Rather than rudely insulting your kind neighbors, maybe Eugene should look into a mirror. After all, it is not our fault PeaceHealth moved here. Besides, I wel come having two of the best hospitals in the nation in my wonderful town. I am proud to have “Springfield, Oregon” on my birth certificate. And remember, a Springfielder might be sitting right next to you in class, debating on your forensics team or playing on your football team. We are all over the University campus, and you can’t even tell the difference. And besides, the way the current trend is going, I am looking forward to the Univer sity moving to Springfield. It would save commute time from my non-trailer park residence. Brandon Lasher Springfield senior history Editor’s note: The reference to the Kip Kinkel shooting was mentioned in Mon day’s editorial because it is associated in many peoples’ minds with the name Springfield. ” It was not the editorial board’s intent to trivialize the shooting or devalue the victims or survivors.
