Post for 2.21.10 reflection questions:
How can campus activism improve conditions for the issues you are working with this semester? Are the approaches advocated by SDS (sit ins, teach ins, more radical forms in the late sixties) appropriate for your issue? Why or why not? What do you propose as possible campus activism projects?
I think campus activism is great for lots of issues, and I think my issue is particularly geared towards college aged students. Because the age gap isn't as large between at-risk youth aged children and college students, college students will have a great understanding of the issues they are facing. This is especially true because our society is constantly changing. We've dealt with these our parents never had to deal with at our age and it keeps getting younger and younger. I think by spreading the word and educating on our campus about at risk youth volunteering and mentoring would get more people generally interested especially those in sociology, psychology, and criminal justice. Campus activism for this issue, in order to be successful, would need to consist as I discussed in my previous blog: research, education, and public advocacy. If all three of these steps are done correctly than we have the ability to inspire more of our colleagues to become civically engaged in our issue or any issue for that matter. I don't believe the SDS style of activism is effective nor necessary for my issue. Those types of activism are usually for issues with greater challenges to make a difference. When dealing with rights of citizens or more politically associated issues is usually how I picture the SDS model of activism to be used. I think that instead it will just be about providing information and addressing the need for change and more involvement. There is a lot of misconception about how students can be of help and how to get involved. Most processes are very lengthy and we usually have no idea where to start but with the proper knowledge and help it could become easier. I think having organizations from across Ventura County and the Los Angeles area to discuss the needs of this issue, where we can help and how would be essential for on campus activism. I think it would also be great to form a discussion group that focuses on this area, not necessarily a club but a group of students who are interested in this topic and want to volunteer and learn more and help. I know this will be successful as currently my friend who is a Psychology major wants to work with at-risk youth this semester with me when I am doing so for my service learning portion of this class. This topic is also very emotionally draining and it's important to have a support group or someone that knows what it's like to talk to about it because this isn't about going out and playing baseball for a couple of hours with your little brother/sister from the YMCA program. It's about making a differnece in their life, learning what they've been through and helping lead them in a more positive direction. This could be very hard for anyone and having a support group would be great for the support as well as a learn place for those that just want to learn.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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1 Comments »
Ashley...I appreciate your optimism, but I challenge you to be more reflective about the obstacles you might encounter in raising awareness about at-risk youth.