Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / Nov. 21, 2008, edition 1 / Page 5
Part of Brevard College Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
November 21, 2008 | The Clarion — Opinion — What is wrong with YOU? Page 5 by Jarrod Hayworth Contributor I have attended Brevard College for five years now; and during this time, I have written a few articles for the Clarion. Some of you may remember my first article, “Attack of the Ugly Couples” in which I humorously addressed the factors of relationship attractiveness in our society. After its publication, I received numerous e-mails complaining about my viewpoint, and one student even compared these FALSE beliefs of mine to Adolf Hitler’s. Reflecting upon the outcry that this caused, I have decided to write for the Clarion once again. However, this time, I am attacking every student at Brevard College. Listen to me, because I am talking about you. The vast majority of our campus community is lacking something. No, I’m not talking about procrastination. We all have more than enough of that. I’m talking about ‘heart’. I’m talking about having convictions and passions, and then spreading those beliefs to the people around you. By doing this, you help to improve yourself while educating the world with your attitudes and viewpoints. It’s a rare occurrence on this campus to see student activism, demonstrations and protests. It may seem cliche to say, but as the future of the world, our generation has the power to believe in something and to change the world with those beliefs. Because of this. I’m asking “What is wrong with you?” During my time here. I’ve seen a few half- assed attempts at student involvement. But more often than not, the laziness of the participants and their lack of ‘heart’ often fail to spread their message. Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m glad to say that a few demonstrations of activism had made an impression upon me. In fact, just this week I was privileged to witness an extraordinary amount of student involvement and dedication. As you may or may not know, a small group of our peers organized, spent the day in the academic quad, and then spent the night outside. And as the temperature dropped well below freezing, these students sat, holding cardboard signs until their fingers were blue. Throughout the day, I heard students discussing the situation, saying “Why would they do something that’s so stupid and pointless?” I ignored the snide remark at the time, but it began to eat away at me. Why? Why did they do it? I’ll tell you why! It wasn’t just about gathering food for the homeless. And it wasn’t just about promoting awareness for the situations that affect the homeless population. The participants themselves may not realize it, but their demonstration of activism symbolizes so much more. It represents a few virtues that I have rarely seen on this campus. These individuals had heart, passion, and the inner drive to make this world just a little bit better So, when a group of peers commit to promoting an ethical change in the behaviors of others, we must not ask “Why?” Instead, we must ask “Why Not?” We must not be afraid to believe in something strongly enough, and then prove these convictions to the world. So to all of you, I say: Stand up and fight for something! Fight for anything! You may think that we, college students, have no power to change the world. But have you ever considered the impacts that college students have made. Let us not forget that when four college students from North Carolina A&T University sat down at a Woolworth’s lunch counter, they sparked the change that led to the civil rights movement. You have no reasons not to be a part of change. ‘T’m too busy” is not a valid excuse. If you believe in something, anything at all, let it be known. I believe that we all have the power to do great things, and right now, there’s nothing out there to stop us. ^5 Photo by M. Newton Sophomore Margaret Ann Medley holds up a sign In the pseudo-shanytown erected Wednesday out of boxes on the Academic Quad In order to protest homelessness and hunger
Brevard College Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 21, 2008, edition 1
5
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75