Editor's Note 11/29

Story by Jacob Zlomke 

| Published Nov 29, 2011

Students, I am disappointed in us. Our hippie-leaning ancestors should be disappointed in us. What are we doing with our time here, with our young-adulthood? Nothing particularly interesting, that’s for sure.

It’s been said before, but it’s worth repeating: history doesn’t remember the complacent very fondly.

In general, we have a positive opinion of abolitionists, those that fought for women’s suffrage, civil right activists in the 50s and 60s, and so on. But what about the people that were present for any of these movements but rather than actively participate, sat on their hands? At best, they are remembered as a mild roadblock that passively helped to enforce that status quo. Ouch.

As far as legacies go, watching history go by and doing nothing doesn’t leave the most flattering impression.

So why is this important? Why would the college students of yesteryear be disappointed in us and why should we be disappointed in ourselves?

Because we are all guilty of standing idly by while the world changes, for better or for worse, around us and we’re doing nothing to help.

We lack cause and we lack purpose. But that’s not because there aren’t purposes for the taking. I used to think that we had no incident of generational definition. No race riots, no Vietnam War, no major assassinations, no issue that we can all rally behind. That’s absurdly untrue, though. Instead, we have an abundance of reasons to participate in shaping this country’s future. To name a few: renewable energy, LGBTQ rights, anti-Drug War, anti-War on Terror, anti-corporatism, pro-life, pro-choice, pro-tax cuts, pro-tax hikes, anti-tuition increases.

The beauty of the United States was pounded into our head in middle school civics class: the country was founded with the intent that every citizen should have not only the right, but the obligation to help shape it. In other words, active participation in your government. Active participation in government doesn’t stop at voting. Voting in elections as an informed citizen is the bare minimum of participating. And a lot of us probably don’t even take time to vote.

But if you want to have a role in the unfolding of our future, voting isn’t going to be enough. You should demonstrate, you should rally, you should protest, you should call your representatives, you should petition.

We all have opinions and unique insight that is valuable. I said that we’re not doing anything particularly interesting. That’s not because we aren’t particularly interesting people--we most certainly are. And that’s why it’s disappointing that there is a lack of interest, wasted potential.

We are college students. The country that’s being shaped right now is ours to inherit so we better make sure we have our say in the matter. We are the future doctors, teachers, lawyers, CEOs and the future lifeblood of this country. Our opinions matter and our opinions are important

I don’t demand that you hold a protest against Israel action in the Middle East out on the plaza tomorrow. Start smaller. Find something that matters to you and send your local government and you state representatives an e-mail letting them know your opinion on the matter. You are their constituent and they are essentially your employee, so make sure they know what you expect. It’s that simple.

Maybe then when our great grandchildren think about us, they won’t chuckle and shake their heads, wondering why we didn’t even try.