If you're a student activist in the DC area, READ THIS
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| Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog |
Hey folks,
A few friends and I are interested in getting in touch with progressive/left activists from all the area DC universities -- everyone from AU to Howard to Gallaudet to Montgomery Community College.
It's all right if you aren't the president or leader of any club, all we need at this point are people who know something about their school's activist landscape. At present, we activists may only have only a dozen or so committed students on each campus. But multiply that dozen by the number of schools in the area, coordinated across and around DC, and amazing things can happen. Suddenly we have the person power to initiate and sustain large campaigns. Suddenly we have the funding from many student groups instead of just one. And suddenly we start to connect the dots in our minds between the problems on our campus and the problems on others.
An example: I talk with students in the DC area often, and tragically few know the urgent struggle Gallaudet students are currently in just a few Metro stops away from them (our own Ben Adler has a very nice look at what's going down). This is a perfect opportunity for justice-minded students from all around DC to coordinate with Gallaudet students and support them in whatever way possible. But of course that kind of support has not materialized.
There is strength in numbers -- we can do a lot more if we work together. But we need to talk to each other first! A practical reason we'd like to see progressives/radicals from all the area schools meet up is potentially twofold:
If you're interested in such an endeavor (there'd be very little time commitment), or simply want to point us to activist contacts on your campus, email dcstudentpower(at)gmail.com with your name and school and optionally, what organizations you work with. Thanks, and solidarity!
A few friends and I are interested in getting in touch with progressive/left activists from all the area DC universities -- everyone from AU to Howard to Gallaudet to Montgomery Community College.
It's all right if you aren't the president or leader of any club, all we need at this point are people who know something about their school's activist landscape. At present, we activists may only have only a dozen or so committed students on each campus. But multiply that dozen by the number of schools in the area, coordinated across and around DC, and amazing things can happen. Suddenly we have the person power to initiate and sustain large campaigns. Suddenly we have the funding from many student groups instead of just one. And suddenly we start to connect the dots in our minds between the problems on our campus and the problems on others.
An example: I talk with students in the DC area often, and tragically few know the urgent struggle Gallaudet students are currently in just a few Metro stops away from them (our own Ben Adler has a very nice look at what's going down). This is a perfect opportunity for justice-minded students from all around DC to coordinate with Gallaudet students and support them in whatever way possible. But of course that kind of support has not materialized.
There is strength in numbers -- we can do a lot more if we work together. But we need to talk to each other first! A practical reason we'd like to see progressives/radicals from all the area schools meet up is potentially twofold:
1) Look into starting a single progressive/left publication of, by and for DC area schools.But really, any group or agenda that comes from this little get-together (or series of get-togethers) can't be decided beforehand. We can all use the ideas and insights that others will bring to the table, and the group's initial direction will be determined by whoever shows up. So show up!
2) Create the seeds for a metro-wide coalition that will fight for student power and real democracy on campuses.
If you're interested in such an endeavor (there'd be very little time commitment), or simply want to point us to activist contacts on your campus, email dcstudentpower(at)gmail.com with your name and school and optionally, what organizations you work with. Thanks, and solidarity!
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For instance, "progressive" and "radical" are, for the most part opposite things. And yet, you connect 'em with a slash.
Also, the Gallaudet situation is a lot more complex than you make it out to be, and doesn't break down in any way along political lines. It's part faculty-administration battle, part fight over search committee diversity, partly about how the administration treats the student body.
ps- yes. we should have our own conference.