A call to action

By Sophie Adams

I always thought that caring was what really mattered. I thought coming to college was my opportunity to be with others who care and want to make the world a better place. I ran for president of the class of 2018 in my first three weeks of my first year, because I thought we could do just that. I wanted to give back to the community I heard about during the admissions process and that I had anticipated being a part of all summer. I realized just last semester how many of us pretend to embody those ideals of C.O.U.N.T., but never actually act on those principles that are supposed to be the foundation of our “community.”

I am disappointed in myself; I am disappointed in us.

Are we really that self-centered?

Could one of you actually write “Make America White Again” on a migrant justice poster in an academic building?

Could people really not attend any of the incredible, cultural, and unique events put on by the efforts of our students and staff, simply because they want to stay in and drink cheap beer on a Friday night?

Could I really not support those who feel unsafe on campus because I was too busy being busy?

Wow. That says a lot about what we prioritize.

We just elected a president who put out numerous controversial executive orders that have left many feeling hopeless. Did you vote? Did you seriously consider the platforms of each candidate?

I sincerely believe that there is good intention in all of our hearts; however, I see a deep chasm being formed between different political ideologies, socioeconomic status, race, sex, and sexuality.

On campus, this hatred, alienation, and lack of community is an issue. People don’t see that their lack of participation and involvement in stepping up to understand their privilege is detrimental, both to the reputation of our college and the well-being of members of our community.

We don’t need to let this chasm of understanding define our society. I believe that we really do care about each other and want to understand each other. I think we want to work to grow into more compassionate and empathetic people, but we have to try harder. We need to talk to each other even if we raise our voices and get upset. We have to be mature enough to have difficult conversations.

Change your attitude to include those that you can so easily overlook. Not just because it looks good on a resume, but because you care about someone else’s well-being. We think we’re preparing ourselves to take on this complicated world by just sitting back and staying in our comfortable zones. In reality, we aren’t going anywhere. We are stuck in our convenient bubbles and contributing to the indifference that lead our country and our community to the difficult place it is in right now.

Wake up.

We have the privilege to attend a liberal arts college that is supposed to challenge us. Challenge us to expand our minds and our hearts to include those from different perspectives.

I want to leave you with a couple of questions. When you walk across the stage on commencement day, will you be proud of the person you grew into at school? Will you know the people sitting around you? Will you know you made an honest effort to burst your bubble?

I believe the future of our country and our community rests on us answering yes to all of those questions.