There has been much to be indignant about lately. Fee hikes. Course offering cuts. Reductions in services. Overcrowded classes and campuses. In short, the stripping of our public education system. It is time for students to voice their opinions and do their best to reverse these injustices. If those who are most affected are not also the most vocal, then impact is lost when others who are farther removed from the situation voice their discontent. This is the period when we either stand up for our right to education, or let private interest overrun our public education system and destroy accessibility, affordability and opportunity for the vast majority of our society.
We are already importing scientific talent in several different fields, including engineering, chemistry and medicine, from other countries. If we cannot educate our own citizens for the jobs in highest demand, then how are we supposed to rebuild our economy? Factory jobs in manufacturing and customer service have already been shipped overseas to increase profit margins of American companies. Farming communities forced into ghost towns in favor of factory farming run by corporate interests.
There are no jobs left for the average worker. Honest, hardworking people who only wish to support themselves and their families through the strength and skill of their hands. They have all been pushed into substandard salaried positions at fast food restaurants or retail stores. Those will college degrees clogging the endless seas of middle management positions above them. But soon, those too will fade to automation and computer programs.
If people, students in particular, don't shake off their apathy soon, they will only realize their are no opportunities for further education or careers with livable wages when it is too late.
Many talk of the injustices occurring in our society, in their school, in their hometown, but how many actually do anything about it? The apathy does not end with the turning off of the TV, with the overdue trip to the library, with the signed form letter to a congressman or senator, the apathy only ends when ACTION is taken. True action. Not the pointless semantics encouraged by our current administration. The masturbation of bureaucracy. Apathy ends in the streets. In the squares and in the schools. In the presence felt by both leaders and fellow citizens when someone makes the effort to be seen and heard. When a statement is made, not through words, but through that apathy ending action. Through art, through music, through protest. Through action.
We must use whatever means we have at our disposal to make the boldest statements possible. Gone are the times when mere conversation sufficed. The powers that be have not listened. The UC board of Regents has not listened. The California State Legislature has not listened. Our government has not listened. And if the will not listen, we must make them see. Make them see and feel our discontent, our outrage, our determination in resisting the detrimental changes they are trying to enforce on us. We will have our education. We will rebuild our nation. We will prosper as our forefathers have.
And it will begin as grass roots movements. Help end the apathy. Join clubs at your university, college or high school. Join community organizations. Participate in local politics and civic discussions. Protest what you feel is unjust. Just participate. There are organizations all around our wonderful nation dedicated to preserving education and the well-being our our youth's intellect. Seek them out and offer whatever services you have to offer. It is only then that the Apathy will end. It is time to put up or shut up. Period.
