Resource center needed for GLBT students

by Jill Cook, Alestle Graduate Assistant and Writers’ Coach

Jill Cook

Recently, a proposal was made to create a GLBT resource center on campus to provide GLBT students a safe place to relax and meet.  With the SIU budget crisis, I’m sure this proposal will be put on the backburner.  But I hope that will be the only reason it is pushed off.

I have been out since 1993.  While I have never been physically attacked because of my sexuality, I have, on more than several occasions, been verbally assaulted.  Even in the middle of a Dunkin Donuts, by a man who thought it was acceptable to cut in line.  I now find that incident to be humorous.  But, at that moment, to have someone yelling obscenities at me regarding my sexuality, was terrifying.

Unfortunately, that moment would be welcomed by some GLBT people, if they were still alive.  Even in today’s world, when so many people think that GLBT people are more accepted—and compared to 20 years ago we are—but GLBT are still being raped, beaten and murdered.

Matthew Sheppard is possibly the most famous hate crime victim in our country.  A young college student who was brutally beaten and left tied to a fence to die because of his sexuality, Matthew Sheppard’s death has since lead to years of congressional debate that finally culminated in law.

GLBT students at SIUE, thankfully, do have a few safe places to go in the meantime.  Some faculty and staff members have voluntarily completed training to be Safe Zone members.  GLBT students then know that those faculty and staff members’ personal beliefs do not conflict with that student’s sexuality, and are willing to listen.

While this is helpful, many of the Safe Zone members are not gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and can only empathize with the GLBT student.  GLBT students can relate with each other, can celebrate and commiserate with each other.  And having a quiet place, away from the constant need of looking of one’s shoulder, would be a benefit to GLBT students.

Hypocracy in the Miss USA pageant

by Jill Cook, Alestle Graduate Assistant and Writers Coach

Jill Cook

Carrie Prejean, the former Miss California who lost her bid for Miss USA after saying she believes marriage is for a man and a woman, made news again because of a suit and counter-suit regarding her breasts.

The Miss California USA committee loaned Prejean the money for her to have a breast augmentation surgery. In fact, in a CNN story, the lawsuit states the exact nature of the decision.

“One thing they all agreed on was that Prejean needed bigger breasts if she was to be competitive in the national pageant in April, the filing said.”

Wait a second. I thought the purpose of these pageants was to find beautiful, goal-oriented role models for women.  In fact, the Miss California home page, states, “The organization has redefined itself, just as it is redefining the world’s views of the women who attain its exclusive titles and as it is communicating women’s views of their own roles.

The Miss Universe Organization provides the opportunities — the mentoring, career training, resources and life experiences — for women to be personally enriched through the organization’s year-round support of all aspects of their lives, from their own personal career goals to social and humanitarian causes and work.

The titleholders of the Miss Universe Organization personify the combination of beauty and intelligence that defines the 21st century. In keeping with its global view and position as creator of role models, the Miss Universe Organization has a new corporate structure and enhanced corporate goals.”

Telling a candidate her boobs are too small and then loaning her money to get surgically enhanced boobs is not enriching that woman’s life. In fact, the only thing it’s enriching is some power-freak man’s (Donald Trump) cheap fantasies.

And boob jobs do not personify the beauty and intelligence of the 21st century. It only personifies the perverse notion that T&A are the only assets a woman can have.

The committee should not feel ashamed for their blatant disregard of their standards; the whole program should be completely shut down.

Trying to Understand the Constitution

by Jill Cook, Alestle Writers Coach

Jill Cook

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case regarding a memorial cross that was placed on originally government-owned land.  When the memorial was first questioned, Congress sidestepped several court orders and sold a parcel of the park to the veterans’ group with the stipulation that the cross must be maintained.

But that’s not even the beginning of all the goofiness; Congress had earlier said hell no to a Buddhist shrine someone wanted to build next to the cross.

So now the Supreme Court has to decide whether Congress acted according to the Constitution and if the cross is safe to remain standing.

This is what I don’t understand, if you look at the First Amendment , it’s written rather clearly in regards to religion and the government.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

If I look at that in its very basic form, it’s easy to see how Congress overstepped its boundaries when it turned away the idea of a Buddhist shrine and again when it sold the land with the stipulation that the cross be maintained.  So Congress screwed up royally.

But you know, I don’t even want to go any farther with that argument, so we’re going to skip over the whole government owned property and religious symbols argument.

I want to propose a new amendment for the Constitution.   The 28th Amendment should read like: “In remembrance of the dead, the people shall have the right to build memorials as long as they aren’t ugly!”

My idea will solve the problem along with answer some of the arguments. The cross in question is ridiculously ugly.  It’s two metal tubes welded together and painted white, except for the bottom foot or so.  That’s it.  That’s no memorial, that’s perfectly good metal going to waste.  And as a veteran, I am actually appalled that something like that is being called a war memorial.

My amendment will force the veterans’ group to build a more aesthetically pleasing memorial, and will leave all of the other beautiful memorials that have some religious symbol on them alone.  No bulldozers in Arlington National Cemetery please, and no cheap crap memorials either, thank you.

A Graduated Point of View: Is it right for you?

by Jill Cook, Alestle Graduate Assistant/ Writers’ Coach

Graduate school.  For some people it’s the next logical step, for others it’s hell, no. For others, it means confusion.

The economy and job prospects are horrible for students finishing their undergraduate studies. The idea of actually getting a professional career can be terrifying, but going back to school sounds even more dreadful. Making this choice can be impossibly difficult, unless fate just throws the answer in your lap.  Here are a few things to think about if you’re having difficulties deciding.

Money. Graduate school is more expensive than undergraduate school, so how are you going to cover that cost? SIUE has some great opportunities with graduate assistant positions. Other universities offer similar opportunities along with scholarships.

Some companies will pay for you to continue your education, but finding a job nowadays is difficult at best. And if student loans are the answer, remember: that is future debt. Can you pay it off without selling your soul to the devil? If you manage to cover tuition, remember that books are also more expensive.

Time. Plan on another two years, unless you’re a brainiac and plan on doing nothing but study. Do you have that kind of time, or should family, career, or other obligations take forefront?

The right reason. Every graduate program will want to make sure you are going in for the right reason.  If all you can come up with is, “I’m scared,” “My parents are paying,” or “I need a different job,” then you need to reconsider. Too much money and time have to be dedicated for those reasons.

The graduate program also wants to make sure you fit their program. There is a difference between mass communication and speech communication (or electrical engineering and computer science,) and your reason needs to fit the right program.  Talk to some of the professors in the graduate program, or even the program coordinator. They can give you tips on what they’re looking for.

Having the master’s degree in the end can be a big boost for landing a great job. It can also be a boost for your ego. But before you even apply, you should consider those three things. Then again, the right answer might just smack you, but let’s be real.