Well I think I should be the first to use this little contraption called the Actnow blog.
As I said in the comments section for the deafening sound of silence (I'll just copy and paste because it gives a good background to what I was rambling about)
'Speaking of activism being suppressed at universities, today for the first time I discovered the anti-war, anti-lots-of-bad-things-in-our-society group and I joined up. *
Is it not sad that after a whole year of attending this uni I only just came into contact with the group? Perhaps it's more to do with what I was saying about students being disinterested in general or just not having the right foundations at this uni for any political or dissenting group to speak out and find like minded supporters.
Then again maybe I shouldn't be waiting for the people passionate about the same things as me to come and find me - I should be out finding them!
But the sad/interesting thing is we had a bit of a chat and it seems they have a real hard time getting across to people and they receive a lot of negative feedback from other students.
Plus during the war in Lebanon many of their protests were drowned out by authorities etc trying to suppress any kind of dissent (typical). I just found it interesting...anyway enough rambling. I think I might explore this little experience in the new blogs we have on the site.'
* not their real name
So...the funny thing is this: I'm not doing a social science degree per se, more of an arts/writing/journalism type thing going on. But I was with a friend who is studying the social inquiry side of things and whilst I was all keen on finding out more about the group and what they stand for, he kind of just stood idly by, twiddling his thumbs and looking genuinely out of place and awkward. When I asked if he was interested he said no he just didn't care about that sort of thing.
He's basically studying politics and society! Oh, the irony!
I really felt enlightened after this little chat. It's good to know there are people out there who persist even when so many others persist in breaking their spirit. My friend also said that it'd be different if I was out there handing out pamphlets.
"Why's that?"
"because you're normal"
Oh so now being a semi-mild-and-moderate activist now equates with being "normal"? Or dressing a certain way and being interested in fashion, music and other things in addition to politics and current affairs is normal? but being REALLY passionate and outspoken is just abnormal and weird? I'm sure these are the views expressed by a large proportion of people at uni who just don't want to associate with the stereotypical activist image. I just think it's really sad, that's all. Why discriminate? We're all here in the end to do something meaningful...right?
Anyway I'm going to wear my little badge proud, go to the meetings, read their magazines, show up to the protests and try and be heard amongst the loud clatter of noise coming from the people protesting against the protestors.
Power to the the youth and peace out, dudes. (and dudettes...don't discriminate)
