Start Changing the World Now

So who is excited about the fifth iPhone? Well, as you might have guessed from previously reading my column, I am not.

This is not due to the fact that I simply cannot afford this latest ploy by a major corporation to take my hard earned money. It's more along the lines of: Why should I care about this thing?

For those of you that have been paying more attention to the exploits of celebrities and new gadgets, let me explain my idea of important events. Our economy is in a recession. The cost of attending this University and all others is increasing. The ability to find any kind of job is diminishing. We are fighting multiple foreign wars. The education system in this country is deplorable, and the teachers are the ones that are blamed. Etc.

Then, we are expected in this culture to accept those things as they are and that there is nothing we can do to change them. However, what we can do is go out and buy the latest piece of technology that we cannot afford.

As you can tell by my rant, I disagree.

I care deeply about the fact that people devote more time and effort to the latest fads and gadgets than they do the basic necessities in a developed culture such as equality and higher education. Women still get paid less than their male counterparts. Members of the LGBQT community still have to live in fear when they walk home alone at night, even on our own campus. In the year 2011, we still execute people as a form of deterrent against crime.   

If you are reading this, there is a good chance you are a student. I'm guessing you are pretty angry at this point. Who am I to say that you have the wrong priorities and that you don't care about the denial of basic civil rights in our country? Well, I am a human rights activist, on and off campus. I go to most of the events, and the head counts are sad. The only people that seem to show up to the events are the people that are directly involved with the organization, hosting it, or students that want to receive extra credit from professors.

Angry yet?

I want you to be angry. I want you to prove me wrong. I want you to use that passion and get involved in your community. If you are interested in animal rights, start a chapter of ASPCA on campus. If you are into politics, join PSU Democrats or the Republican counterpart. Wherever your passions lie, you have all you need right in front of you, as well as all of the amazing people at Plymouth State University who would give an arm and a leg to see you succeed.  

One such person is Jennifer White, Assistant Director for Student Activities. White was the first person I talked to way back when I got Amnesty International going on campus. When it comes to changing the world or starting a club, it's the same, she says, "You have to jump in!" Even if you are not an out-going, save the world type like myself, there are plenty of events to be involved in all over the place. White continued, "There are still plenty of opportunities to remain passive, but still be involved. Like going to the Fire Place Lounge for an Open Mic night."

It was rough getting my organization off the ground, but there have been few times in my life that have been as rewarding as working with Amnesty. Caitlyn Kearney, a psychology major at PSU feels the same. "I'm involved in Psychology Club, Social Work Club, and Service Saturdays." Caitlyn wants to be a school counselor when she graduates. What she learns in these groups will help prepare her for her future.

Organizations and clubs are important to students because they provide you with the tools needed to change the world when you graduate. "How else can you practice real world problems? You can't learn how to live from reading books and classes alone." White exclaimed.

Which leaves us here. What is most important to you? What are you passionate about?

What is the one thing that always makes you smile? What makes you "white-knuckle" angry?  

And most importantly, what are you going to do about it?