Students need to reclaim their power for change
Atreese Watkins
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Forum
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This makes me wonder whether in the aftermath of a generation that held true hope for improving human society, we as products of their critical but flawed efforts have the conviction to use our strengths to create opportunity for a more just world when we are told - and are telling ourselves - there is none.
Every morning, I wake up and think, "My god, I am brushing my teeth in a racist, sexist, capitalist society that is, as I floss and rinse, committing acts of imperialist tyranny throughout the world. I am a bad person. Why can't I stop brushing my teeth in a racist, sexist, capitalist society? What is wrong with me?"
I asked my friends how they could go on as usual once they learn how imperiled the world is. They usually choose among a myriad of ways to say, "Why are you bothering me with that political crap," or "I'm educating myself so I can better change it" with a "I-have-to-secure-my-place-in-this-system-in-case-the-revolution-never-comes" tone.
Many times, they skip off to discuss approaching one isolated problem that they think can be changed without bothering with the others - because those efforts look good on résumés for D.C. internships.
Guilford students have an internal reputation for complaining freely and acting sparingly, but I have seen students trying to take concrete action thwarted by perceived power of this, and greater, institutions. Even when openly defying hegemonic intimidation, they fall prey to covert societal signals.
Outside of theoretical analysis of complacency, there is a mandate I give: from whatever is usurping your power - (the government, society's expectations or this school's institutional intimidation) - take it back.
That is the vaguest call for change in history, but it's all I've got for you. Take it back. Everyone says the great upsetting of unquestioned norms that took place during this community's heyday was a product of unique circumstances that cannot be duplicated: a widening gap between economic classes, racial tensions, civil unrest abroad, an unpopular war.
Despite that sounding exactly like the times we live in now, it should not matter. All of these calls to wait - for the right time, circumstances, leaders - are just making it more possible for racist, sexist capitalism to continue as a reality.
Every morning, I wake up and think, "My god, I am brushing my teeth in a racist, sexist, capitalist society that is, as I floss and rinse, committing acts of imperialist tyranny throughout the world. I am a bad person. Why can't I stop brushing my teeth in a racist, sexist, capitalist society? What is wrong with me?"
I asked my friends how they could go on as usual once they learn how imperiled the world is. They usually choose among a myriad of ways to say, "Why are you bothering me with that political crap," or "I'm educating myself so I can better change it" with a "I-have-to-secure-my-place-in-this-system-in-case-the-revolution-never-comes" tone.
Many times, they skip off to discuss approaching one isolated problem that they think can be changed without bothering with the others - because those efforts look good on résumés for D.C. internships.
Guilford students have an internal reputation for complaining freely and acting sparingly, but I have seen students trying to take concrete action thwarted by perceived power of this, and greater, institutions. Even when openly defying hegemonic intimidation, they fall prey to covert societal signals.
Outside of theoretical analysis of complacency, there is a mandate I give: from whatever is usurping your power - (the government, society's expectations or this school's institutional intimidation) - take it back.
That is the vaguest call for change in history, but it's all I've got for you. Take it back. Everyone says the great upsetting of unquestioned norms that took place during this community's heyday was a product of unique circumstances that cannot be duplicated: a widening gap between economic classes, racial tensions, civil unrest abroad, an unpopular war.
Despite that sounding exactly like the times we live in now, it should not matter. All of these calls to wait - for the right time, circumstances, leaders - are just making it more possible for racist, sexist capitalism to continue as a reality.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sharon Howe Cranford
posted 4/27/07 @ 10:32 AM EST
Dear Atreese:
I was once where you are. Learn everything you can while at Guilford -- political science, history, writing, critical thinking -- then come to Washington, DC and work on Capitol Hill, preferably the House side. (Continued…)
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