Monthly Archives: September 2013
Miley in the Media
By Cara Winkley
From her MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) performance, to her naked music video, Miley Cyrus can’t seem to stay out of the media.
Cyrus, after keeping a low profile for a couple years, is back in the spotlight. Her new video, “Wrecking Ball,” released just a couple weeks after her controversial VMA performance with Robin Thicke, has taken over entertainment news. This video shows Cyrus completely nude swinging side to side on a chain and wrecking ball.
This isn’t the first time Cyrus has been in the limelight for a controversial music video. Her video “Can’t Be Tamed,” which was released in 2010, though had no nudity, still received lots of criticism for being dark and racy, a video not age-appropriate for a 17 year-old.
Jean Johnson, a freshman studying elementary education at The University of Kansas (KU), used to be a fan of Cyrus when she was on Hannah Montana and came out with her earlier singles such as “Party in the USA.” She thinks people continue to follow celebrities to see their failures and demise in the media.
“Some people are just watching to see her fall,” said Johnson. “Plus, at the same time they are thinking what happened.”
As Cyrus’ music videos have become more and more provocative as each one is released, her live performances mirror her efforts to show her independence from her former role as Disney Channel’s child role model.
Trey Stafford, a senior studying geography at KU, describes Cyrus’ performance with Robin Thicke at the 2013 VMA’s as ridiculous and over-the-top.
“I think the performance itself is one of those things where she was trying to show that she wasn’t a child anymore,” Stafford said.
From her clean-line Hannah Montana Disney persona to her racy, twerking image now, she has captivated the media and influenced thousands of girls throughout America.
Shirley Hill, a sociology professor at KU, said that videos like Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” video have a negative influence on young women. She said that in today’s society there is a large push for gender equality. However, videos like Cyrus’ and other female artists are showing women in stereotypical manners.
“It counters a lot of the progress that we have been trying to teach the next generation,” Hill said.
Leonel Castro, a recent KU alumnus, said that as young women continue to watch celebrities like Cyrus in the media, they believe that this is the way you are supposed to act. Many young women are intrigued by the rich and famous lifestyle, so they think if they mimic these actions of celebrities, then they can live somewhat vicariously through them.
We may not know why Cyrus has been acting in this manner or why she continually repeats her over-the-top actions, but Gene Tuel, a KU Religious Advisor, has one idea.
“She doesn’t care,” Tuel said. “She is making fun of the fact that you care.”
Game Day Glam
By Cara Winkley White tents set up on the hill. Drums heard across campus. Barbecue smells filling the air. The feeling of cold beer coursing through your veins as the anticipation of the game and excitement of a tailgate pumps … Continue reading
Architecture Style
Anschutz library, or as most students call it, “Club Schutz” is one of the most popular places to study on campus. Walk through the double doors and you are greeted by a friendly smile from the help desk. Sitting straight ahead of you, you will find the computer area. That coffee you smell comes from the mini-café to your left. Just around the corner of the café is “TanSchutz,” where students can lounge in front of large uncovered windows with the sun beaming down on their faces while they study or sometimes even catch a snooze. Anschutz, as you can see, is much more than your average university library. It is so much more.
Anschutz first opened its doors on October 7, 1989, when it was formally presented to Chancellor Budig. A dedication ceremony was held where Philip Anschutz spoke on behalf of the Anschutz family.
Philip Anschutz, a KU alumnus, who is the founder of AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), graduated from KU in 1961 with a degree in business administration. Anschutz and his wife Nancy donated $6.5 million dollars to the $13.9 million construction of the library. Because of his generous contribution, Chancellor Budig allowed Anschutz the honor of naming the building. Anschutz decided on the “Marian and Fred Anschutz Science Library” to honor both of his parents, who were also big donors to the university.
Robert Szavo, the Anschutz Operations Manager has been working at Anschutz for 12 years. His favorite part of his job is the people. When asked to describe the building, he described it as one of the more modern buildings on campus.
Anschutz Library has five stories, 92,000 square feet, a limestone exterior and a red-tiled roof. There are many large windows surrounding the building shining light onto the main floor. Anschutz is also the only library on campus that is open 24 hours Sunday through Friday to give students a place to go on their own schedule. Not only is it a place for students to study, but with “group study” tables it can be a place to socialize with friends while procrastinating on homework, or a place to people watch and observe your surroundings. Anschutz is so much more than your typical library.
At the dedication ceremony for the building, Chancellor Budig said that Anschutz library “represents our commitment to the future.” As a student almost 24 years later, I am seeing that commitment continue, and hope that someday when my children come here they will appreciate it just as I do now.
Sunflower Style 