The P.nd«l«m Thundajr, Oct 1, M(
£
Pprnonnl account 1 iL
PIRG convention awakens poutical realitie|
_ . . _:_u. T-u- r>f Hainh nonapathetic and politically director of the Citia^^
I. tho Tnhnr F.nersv Cnalitinn t
by Joy Hamilton
Politics has always been
boring to me—that is until
last weekend when I began
to take charge of my
political life. Various groups
founded by Ralph Nader
were celebrating their tenth
anniversary in Washington
D.C. in a convention that
started Friday and ended
late Saturday.
For me, the excitement of
the convention was mag
netizing; it was like lightning
had struck and I woke up
from my deep slumber of
political and national apathy
and woke up to the anti-
Reagan nightmare.
Reaganomics (Reagan
Monomics) was discussed in
detail from the budget cuts
to the extreme conservatism
displayed by the president in
his televised speech last
Thursday night. (Reagan
was elected by only 25
percent of registered voters.)
Attending the convention
from North Carolina were
one student from Duke Uni
versity, one student from
UNC-G, one student from
Elon College, and co-PIRO
state coordinator Rebecca
Margolese-Malin. The group
trekked to Washington,
D.C., last Thursday night
for a meeting of people
from other Nader-oriented
groups.
The above mentioned
people were attending
the convention because they
were members of the Public
Interest Research Group,
known as PIRG. North
Carolina has PIRGs at seven
college campuses in the
state. The PIRGs at these
campuses study current
issues in the hopes of
shaping the democratic cul
ture with an outlet for
citizen involvement and re
sponsibility.
The PIRGs on the Elon
campus are currently
studying voter registration,
toxic waste in Alamance
County, how the federal cuts
will affect social services in
the county, and various
other issues.
Approximately 200 stu
dents from PIRGs in the
nation attended the con
vention that had nearly 750
participants. Featured in the
two-day convention were
Ralph Nader, Mario Thomas
and Phil Donahue, musical
activist Pete Seeger, and
former FCC Commissioner
Nicholas Johnson.
The future of Ralph
Nader-based groups and the
controlling of insurance
funds, pension funds, public
airwaves and public lands
were among the issues dis
cussed during the con
vention. Also featured was a
solar film produced by
Robert Redford.
The new conservatism was
openly discussed, and time
was provided for spectators
to address issues on the
“open mike.”
On Saturday, Phil
Donahue, TV talk show
host, moderated debates on
media access and corporate
power.
One thing I learned during
the convention was that al
though a single person may
have trouble changing as
pects of political, economic,
and social injustice, an
organized group can be
deadly, and its protests can
activate change. And at
Elon, a handful of these
people can help save the
world (or at least Alamance
County).
This political awakening
within me has inspired me to
work to bring about social
and political change. To see
200 students who are so
YOUR LAST 2 YEARS OF COLLEGE
COULD BE YOURFIRST
2 YEARS OF MANAGEMENT.
H
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For more information,
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ARMY ROTC.
LEARN WHAT
IT TAKES TO LEAD
alive made me realize the
tremendous impact students
have.
My only hope is that more
people I come into contact
with will strive to fight what
some people call “City
Hall.” One chance for Elon
students wiU be this Satur
day when they will have an
opportunity to register to
vote in Alamance County
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
City Hall, in Elon College.
A handful of people can
change the world. An ex
ample of this is activist
Heather Booth, executive
Labor Energy Coalition. S
said in a speech on Stt
day, “We must give
sounding ‘no’ to abaidiYf]
ment of the struggle u_
social justice. But we ct
win alone. We need toi 1
women out of the kitcli ■
Women may have a platt
sit but can’t affort to eat^
Booth added, "fl
Reagan cuts have not^
hit.” But people are shifi [
and there is an aitenu I,
for a new direction.” I,: f
Hamilton, add that this i'
direction could readily ra
from the students of todij
the leaders of tomorrow.
N€sws Briefs
"V
Elon College’s blood drive
will be held on Thursday,
Oct. 8, in Jordan Gym from
10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Awards will be given to
the campus organization,
fraternity, sorority, and res
idence h^ that donate the
highest percentages of units.
Donor sign-up began
Wednesday, Sept. 30, at
both McEwen and Harden
dining halls. Everyone is
urged to register early for
this year’s blood drive.
The North Caroli i
Virginia College Enjl''
Association will sponso
conference on Satur4
Oct. 10, at N.C.
University.
Covering many topis
interest to English iujL_
and professors, the o
ference will begin at 8 li
and close at 12:45 p.m. i
a luncheon. Call E>r.
Bland at 584-2263 or
Andrew Angyal at 584-2i
for further information.
or P
Members of the
Colonnades staff are invited
to a picnic on Sunday, Oct.
4, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the
home of Dr. Andrew
Angyal.
Those coming should
bring a side dish or refresh
ments. Casual attire will be
suitable. For more infor
mation, call Dr. Angyal at
578-2387.
Juniors and senifi
wishing to be considered^
Who’s Who should ptepi *
a list of activities at &
and turn it in to Dr. Oi
White in the Acadtt
Dean’s Office on or beli
Oct. 2.
The Elon Gospel Choir
will be holding a car wash
on Saturday at 2402 South
Church St. directly across
from Wendy’s.
The car wash will start at
10 a.m. and continue until 3
p.m. The price for an out
side car wash will be $2.50.
The faculty of the EnjI
Department and the im
bers of Sigma Tau Delta i
host an afternoon recep^
for all English and En{K
Journalism majors, i
eluding prospective maji?
on Wednesday, Oct. 7, frf
3:30 to 5 p.m. at the hoi
of Dr. Robert Blake.
Dr. Blake lives at 4011^
College Ave.
SKY DIVING
If U is something you’ve always wanted
to do ... I
FOR ONLY $65-i^^l»ding instruct]
and equipment. Go through ground i
training in the morning; make your firtt _
jump in the afternoon, weather permitti»f‘
To register for class: Present W-
proof of age. Parent’s permission for unit
18. Forms for under-age available on ^
request and must have notarized signatui*,
Organized groups of 5 or more
S60 ® person j
Franklin Co. Spor^ Parachute Center, Igt;,
P.O. Box 703, Louisburg, NC 27549
Phone 919-496-2224 !
Open 8 aan.-dark Closed Mon^