Spring Break
Abstract:
After living through half a decade of once-inconceivable sociopolitical angst, on-campus activists have developed a smarter set of priorities. Yes, plenty of college kids still serve as grunts in America's culture wars, but the main concerns of undergraduate activism -- from the Iraq War to global warming to free speech -- read like a laundry list of the day's most urgent news items....
Arash Massoudi
posted 4/06/07 @ 3:41 PM EST
I completely agree with you that there is a lack of activism on this campus, but even in your criticism you haven't offered much of a solution.
I urge to not be so short-sighted in your analysis. As one of the co-chair's of the 2006 MSE Symposium, I would like to point out that we dedicated a summer to putting together the most diverse group of perspectives that this school has seen in a long while.
IN addition to bringing extremely well-known figures like Nader and Gingrich, we ALSO brought Harry Belafonte and Immortal Technique, two of the most outspoken and polarizing figures in America; which you would know had you attented the events. While I wouldn't argue with you that Nader and Gingrich are intellectually broke, I would argue they attract larger audiences. Our logic was that these names would bring attention to the Symposium as a whole.
Oh by the way, the reaction to the Belafonte event was a condemnation of the Symposium by the rarely read Carrolton Record.
If you want to see college students be active like the 60's and 70's, institute a mandatory draft otherwise, don't expect it. If you want to see change, writing an article criticizing everyone else is a good start, but now do something tangible about it.
Peace.