Where do SU students stand on issues

“Man is man because he is free to operate within the framework of his destiny. He is free to deliberate, to make decisions, and to choose between alternatives. He is distinguished from animals by his freedom to do evil and to do good and to walk the high road of beauty or tread the low road of ugly degeneracy.” – MLK
This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks volumes to the state of our current society. When posed with the question of, “Where do you stand?” many issues ranging from political, economical, and social, all can be raised.
In the past, Southern University students have marched against violence taking place within the local communities and rallied against certain events that have taken place on campus, showing the world a united front and demonstrating the old saying, that there is strength in numbers; but again, that was in the past.
If you were to ask an older person, male or female, the question of what they thought was one of the biggest problems with this generation, you might hear: “Young people today, do not believe in anything.” or “This generation does not care about anything but rims and rap!”
It is believed that today’s generation has become self-involved, and so concerned with material elements, that we have forgotten that some of those tales that great-grandparents and grandparents have told us of inequality, hardships, and injustice, still remain in present day.
“Healthcare and education are some issues that I would rally for,” said Jared Crawford, a junior Political Science major from Lake Charles, who serves as the SGA Junior Class Business Manager. ” I’ve never marched for any particular cause before, but I will be in Jena, Louisiana on September 20th. This issue is a racial issue and I feel that if something isn’t done about it now, then who’s to say that it will not happen again in the immediate future.”
Rob Beaulieu, a sophomore Criminal Justice major from Baton Rouge, shares his concerns regarding important issues, in stating, ” I worry about social security and the question of whether or not it will exist by the time I retire, as well as issues regarding freedom of speech, and the declining economy. Never have I marched or rallied for any of these causes, but I will be attending the demonstration in Jena, Louisiana on September 20th said Beaulieu.
“There are a number of issues that I would be willing to protest, like the public school system and how most if not all seem under budgeted. It seems as though even the best of children struggle to survive in school. The books are old and sometimes outdated, and the school’s structure is not always in the best condition,” said Mallorie Chapman, a sophomore Criminal Justice major from Baton Rouge. “The Jena 6 protest will be my first actual protest.”
The issues exist and the students are noticing them. The question of how to go about correcting these problems and addressing the concerns that follow them remains to be seen.
Many stated that the only real method in attaining more student involvement in marches and protests in general, is to have entertainment figures lead the way, being that they are the leaders and role models in society. They said that it is the rappers and movie stars that are glorified and respected, instead of the activists who have risked and continue to risk their lives, finances, and reputations on issues that effect more than themselves.
Students stated that the current generation live in a world where everything that matters, comes from mainstream media, and where a football player who stands trial for dog fighting, animal cruelty, being black and successful, and a list of other things; gets more media coverage than six young African American males all facing twenty-two year prison sentences for fighting in a small town.
The war in Iraq, education, healthcare, social equality, and the list continues of issues that all affect the student in some form, whether it is directly or indirectly.
These are the answers that were give by Southern University students when asked “Where do you stand?” Some wanted to change the question to “What action(s) have you taken?”
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