To tell the honest truth, I like my history and social studies classes -a lot. And when I hear a professor talking about the “hot button” issues in our fair nation, I always get really motivated to make change, because I believe that change does come from such simple, modest roots as one individual, and to quote Gandhi, I’ve always wanted to “Be the change [I] wish to see in the world.” Well, in less than a week, I supported two causes near and dear to my heart.
On this past Saturday (the 18th) I took part in the Gunk Project. Organized and coordinated by Wyatt Krause -RA in Lenape Hall- the Gunk Project was a day of cleaning up out fair Gunk. Many times during capture the flag on Tuesday nights at 10PM we have had players (Rob Schemitsch and a few others) who have been as brave to swim in the Gunk for the sake of the game. However, over the course of these capture the flag games we (Rob and Co.) have retrieved some SIX (6) bicycles and FOUR (4) traffic cones. It was then that Wyatt got the idea to have a Gunk cleaning project, aptly named, the Gunk Project. On Saturday, a few “dredgers” -Rob included- swum the Gunk to remove as much “stuff” from the depths as possible. To my knowledge, the dredgers worked tirelessly for hours to retrieve a screen door, a paper towel dispenser, two shopping carts, a computer monitor, a skate board, and various debris the likes of which I have forgotten! In addition to dredging out the Gunk, others and I went around to collect some THREE HUNDRED signatures of those that were in support of our efforts, and want to urge the administration in cleaning up the Gunk more, and making our campus more green.
I was very proud that so many students from different Residence Halls came together to clean up our campus, and that I was a part of that group as well. I believe that moving toward a greener campus, nation and lifestyle, we can all ensure that our lives and the lives of those that come after us will be secured, safe and healthy. This Gunk Project is a small step because not only do we want the administration to take up the next “leg-of-the-race” but we also want to inspire more pro active actions and good habits in our own lives and that if the people around us.
As for the second bit of getting involved that I am about to tell you about, I feel very strongly about both the subject matter and the actions involved. On Tuesday (10/14) I got a phone call from one of my best friends, Tim K. who is a sophomore at SUCO Oneonta. He tells me that there was a protest that took place on his campus that day involving a Christian man and his anti-homosexual views. He also said that he heard this man was coming to SUNY New Paltz soon! So after informing my entire Women: Images and Realities class, I waited until on week later on the 21st when he showed. I saw the men protesting homosexuality of all sorts on the concourse of the SUB on my way to my women studies class, and upon sounding the alarms, the bulk of the students went during the break to protest these individuals in return!
Personally I feel that everyone should be entitled to express themselves in the way that they were born to be, and should never be subject to anyone else condemning them. In that light I made a killer sign, sporting rainbow colors, that said: “DON’T LISTEN : D.” This also made me feel accomplished because I finally had the chance to demonstrate some inalienable rights bestowed upon me from birth, and protected through the United States Constitution! (What-WHAAT! -Take THAT!!!).
It is in these actions and in voting that I feel my civic duties are being fulfilled, and it is a great start!
With that in mind, I have a very appropriate song selection for this blog:
“Everybody’s Gonna Love Today” by Mika
and
“Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” By The Beatles
and
“Carry That Weight” by The Beatles
Peace,
Matt Stracq
: D
