Witnessing the recent March For Our Lives gatherings across the nation in the news, I wondered why there was not one in Oswego. There was a march in downtown Syracuse, but nothing from campus. It made me think about the mentality we, as college students, have regarding activism.
When students gather to stand up for what they believe in, such as the Women’s March put on by the Women’s Center, it gives me hope that this generation is willing to make the change rather than just waiting for someone else to do it. Children and high schoolers of all ages and backgrounds are actively advocating for something in which they want to see a change. They are taking the risk of backlash to express their views and needs, so why aren’t we? I was so surprised that students on our campus did not organize a march the same day as March For Our Lives because even though the issue is largely focused on high schools, it affects college campuses just as much.
I commend the students here that participate in any sense of activism and try to make a change in their own way, but I do not think enough of the Oswego State population is showing its true colors. More people on campus should be organizing events to harbor a safe environment to talk about important issues. Oz Talks and Oz Speaks are great programs that students should attend to continue the discussion. Getting the conversation started is the first step. Odds are, if you think a certain way about something, someone else does too and is not currently making a stand.
It does not have to be an entire rally, but it would be helpful if you work with your residence hall and organize a program to get the conversation started. If you live off-campus, join a club or organization that highlights the issue you want solved. If one does not exist, create one. There is a plethora of options students have to make a stand. Social media is a tool readily available to us that can spread to a wide audience. Start a Facebook page, an Instagram account, a Twitter hashtag or a Snapchat story to voice your opinion about an issue you care about. No matter what the medium is, voice your opinion and get the ball rolling.
Stop thinking about what Uncle Joe on Facebook is going to say about your beliefs and do something. Stand up for your values. Participate in political conversation because, like it or not, the decisions we make today as a generation will make an impact on the world. Don’t like gun violence? Go to a march. Have an issue with something in your county? Write your district representative.
Most importantly, vote! Vote for those who represent you in Student Association, in your district, in your state and in your country. Do your research and truly think about how a candidate’s platform coincides with your values and what you would like to see changed. Do something because change cannot happen unless a thought is turned into a word.
