Blame Game, Change and Unity

Some One made this comment on the previous post:

"I wonder though, if the acorn posted on your site like that because they just feared you because they didn't know your intentions, or if it was because this blog purported to give a voice to the many disgruntled students who feel like they don't have a voice within the acorn or the school in general. Maybe instead, the acorn just wanted to protect their position, and ultimately their power, from those very students.

I wonder, if students had an up or down vote to many of the groups and institutions on campus, to keep them or disband them, i wonder what they would do. The real problem is that they don't, and in my opinion, Drew will continue to be a somewhat repressive place for the foreseeable future. With those few who have the power and want to keep it for themselves poised against the rest of us who are pushed to the fringes of campus life.

I wonder, if students had an up or down vote to many of the groups and institutions on campus, to keep them or disband them, i wonder what they would do. The real problem is that they don't, and in my opinion, Drew will continue to be a somewhat repressive place for the foreseeable future. With those few who have the power and want to keep it for themselves poised against the rest of us who are pushed to the fringes of campus life."

I some what agree with this statement drew or any other administration run institution can be repressive but I think can it is a mistake to believe there are those who do this on purpose. The fact of the matter is that student separate into group by themselves either through mistrust, apathy, tradition or pop culture. The acorn does not censor students with malicious intent to gain more power; I believe that it is just a byproduct of one group of students trying to write and publish stories they agree with. Let them explain themselves before you blame them. The S.G.A does not want to ignore the students or repress them, the organization is restrained by the university, bureaucracy as well as student apathy. There is no reason why the University really has to listen or do anything the SGA suggests. I believe it is a mistake to blame “the man” or any organization for something that is really a problem that is created as a byproduct of fragmented youth culture. People need to stop blaming others, blame has never accomplished anything in fact it ceases progress. I believe that people need to work on changing themselves and helping others do the same instead of wasting time.

You are right we do need unity to accomplish any social change in the future. This campus has multiple groups that strive for the social change. Just look at the student group home pages and you will find these groups, Amnesty international, circle K,S.A.V, Women Concerns,GBLTQ, SDS and even the SGA all strive for social change as well a better life on campus. My recommendation is to provide a club, council or official forum that could help organize these groups so they can form one single loud voice when it is needed. My recommendation is to resurrect or create a group like the Drew Community for Social Justice. This club was based in the theological department but was disbanded in 2005 a fate that many of these clubs share. The clubs mission statement was;

We are a student-led organization dedicated to education, advocacy and action regarding issues of social justice and change.

Objectives

· To improve communication and cooperation between various justice-related student groups on campus.

· To share information with students, faculty and staff in order to increase awareness and inspire greater involvement in justice work.

· To provide access to specific tools and resources in the interest of empowering students to advocate for justice in their own contexts.

· To provide forums for dialogue in an increasingly culturally and religiously pluralistic campus and society.

· To organize opportunities for direct action and witness concerning specific issues.

· To network with other groups on local, regional, and national levels.

What I envision is that this group could gather members of the clubs I listed as well as other concerned student. The new entity could attempt to get these group as well as students to band together for a selected cause. Imagine a group that truly represents students. Through such a society this school could attempt to unify and create a voice loud enough even the administration would have to take notice. Even a direct democracy needs to be funneled through an entity to give a face to those voices, in addition those who are familiar with various social issues could facilitate. The club could offers services to help student in disciplinary actions or to get their voice heard or a multitude of other things. In addition the group could pool resources to attract speakers as well as other services. While I know there many who disagree with me on this they believe that these clubs all have specific cause and that there is no need for such a group I still believe that it is worth an attempt. I do not know the exact details of such a union I think it could be done. Many claim that this is too Utopian ideal but I think it deserves a try. If there is someone who was part of the DCSJ please contact me especially if you disagree with my assessment of the organization.

- Spooky D

(Please put any comments if you see a grammar mistake, I will try to fix it)