The Daily Campus

Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Commentary

There are a wide range of student activist groups, both on campus and all over the country. Activism is great, and it is important to stand up for what you believe in, but you are just wasting everyone's times if you don't actually do anything.

Also, activist groups need to be specific about their goals - you can't just be all about going green without any plan of action, and you can't just stand up for human rights by joining a Facebook group.

If you attended the Dead Prez concert, we hope you were inspired by their activist messages and shouts in support of human rights for all people, worldwide. But Dead Prez went out there shouting about human rights without putting forth a plan, or even getting into specifics. Dead Prez didn't seem to have any focus at all. This is just another example of activist talk without any action, and it needs to stop so those who are out to do something can actually make the difference that they would like to.

Now there are definitely activist groups that make great strides toward their goals, and they indeed make the world a better place; there is no doubt about it. The problem is that there are just too many activists who do not know what they really believe in or what they want to do about it.

If you take the need for human rights that Dead Prez was talking about and add your own specific focus within the field of human rights, you will be one step closer to becoming a productive activist. For instance, if you really feel that human trafficking is a big issue and violates almost every human right that you can think of, join a group and get something done to stop this issue - don't just carry a bag with a slogan on it or sign a big copy of the Declaration of Human Rights. Write letters to Congress. Lead protests. Incite others to act.

Going green is the thing to do these days, but too many people "go green" without actually doing anything. If you walk around wearing a "go green" T-shirt but then go and throw this paper in the regular trash can, there is something wrong with in the picture. If you hate when people leave the water running, make sure to always turn it off - now you're a water conservationist. Energy is also a big issue, and the least you could do is shut your lights off when you leave a room.

As Spring Weekend nears, it brings about a great opportunity for recycling. There will be cans and bottles scattered all over campus and it would make a huge difference if a group went around and collected the debris for recycling. Not only would it be better for the environment if these cans and bottles didn't end up in a landfill, but also the pickup would help make our campus cleaner and greener.

It is very important that students actively - not just passively - fight for what they believe in. Student activist groups make a big difference on campus, but there is always more to be done. Regardless if it's on a group or personal level, make sure that you stick to what is most important to you.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools