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.