Wednesday, 5/28/97 Apathy shouldn’t be part of college life
POLITICS: Those who don’t vote shouldn’t criticize election
results
By Elizabeth Geyer What I am tired of is hearing how disunited
we are, and "can’t we all just get along?" Isn’t this the same
article that is traditionally cranked out during every election at
The Bruin? Frankly, dear, there is a large number of groups (be
they "minority" groups, if you will) that collectively have a large
membership and form a large part of this campus. They are not
egocentric, as you would like to categorize them. It is not about
"our issues." It is far greater, and far reaching, as it pertains
to the health and well being of all of society. The truth is that,
while in society at large the "minority" numbers increase
exponentially, there is a lack of education, representation and
economic opportunity for what will soon only be called "minorities"
by historical prejudice alone, not population percentage realities.
When you say we should all compromise, "gain and lose a little so
the majority can be represented," exactly what majority are you
speaking of? A majority which, according to you, does not even
exist on this campus, we all being so fractured and self-serving.
And frankly that is ridiculous. Does that mean student government
shouldn’t work on housing issues because it applies to freshmen
primarily, and only 6,000 students? Should we solely direct our
efforts based on a certain membership quota? If that were the
thinking of everyone in society, where would that leave disabled
people? These premises may seem harmless and sound good, but in
actuality have appalling repercussions. The truth is we are
different as much as we are alike. It’s true we are all students
and "trying to graduate." We are also all breathing, all alive …
focusing on similarities is easy. You don’t have to take a stand on
breathing. But when you recognize that students are different you
have to make decisions on what you want to stand for and run on
that platform. Simple example: There are students on this campus
who think education is a privilege for people with the money to pay
for it and that student government should not work on financial aid
and registration fees. Are they neglecting to represent those
people when they do? I think there is a lot of rhetoric that
naturally emanates from politics. There is an idea of changing
everyone’s attitude on campus so that we may all benefit from the
splendid diversity we are so lucky to have at UCLA. The truth is
that, despite the amount of publicity that goes into the cultural
events, including the different newsmagazines (free to everyone, by
the way), few people venture out of their comfort zone – which
usually entails their particular race – to experience and learn
about another’s. I have, and it was one of the best things I have
done here. It is only human to be afraid of what we do not know,
but you do not have the place to say that there are not cultural
programs out there for everyone to go to. Despite our
homogenization as "minorities," we are all as different in our
beliefs and cultures as anyone on this campus, but we all
compromise and find common ground on things that are important to
us all. This, without losing one bit of our beliefs or identity. We
celebrate who we are now, where we came from, and where we are
going by being active. I am not accusing anyone of "selling out." I
see apathy very clearly myself. It is a stage that some of us never
grow out of; it is someone who is not mature enough to develop
political or social beliefs and take a stand politically; stand up
against what they believe is wrong – protecting free speech, or
freedom of religion, or social justice and equality. You must
search within yourself for those answers. Regardless of which slate
or political party any student belongs to, I commend him for caring
enough to vote in any election. It is a privilege and a power too
many of us take lightly. People who didn’t care, didn’t vote. And
if you didn’t care then when you had the power, how can you
criticize now? It’s all a bunch of hot air until you contribute
solutions. Criticizing is easy; working is hard. Unfortunately it
is no longer part of a college-level education to be politically
aware. How many times have I heard, "Why are they marching? This
isn’t the ’60s." What? Is life really only about graduating and
"ice blendeds"? It isn’t for me. I want to help, I want to change,
I want to leave this place better off than I found it … that
includes UCLA. I used to be "apathetic," and then I asked myself
why. My answer was that I did not want to take sides, didn’t know
enough, I’m not the political type. After all, I went to class, did
community service, and I was being a good citizen. Wrong! Politics
isn’t about politicians; it’s about people, society and wanting to
change what you think is wrong. A good citizen learns about his
world, educates himself, and then not only supports what he
believes in through word and thought but also in action. That is
what I learned from this election, thank you very much. I guess the
question is why you are apathetic, and how you should go about
changing that.