Get out thereand move something!

Friday, September 26, 1997

Get out there

and move something!

ACTIVISM: Students must take initiative, learn to work with
others to bring about change

Ever wonder why you’re here at UCLA? I sure did … or rather,
it kind of hit me suddenly. It was the last week of September 1995
when I walked back to the dorms from my freshman convocation. I was
excited, energized and, most importantly, activated (I’ll define
this term later). Not more than a year before, however, I felt
quite different.

November 1994 was a dark month in modern American history when
the Republican Party took over both houses of the U.S. Congress. I
felt angry as the right wing forces continued to preach their
message that smart bombs – which kill Iraqi children – were more
important than smart kids – who harbor no hate until their parents
teach them to. I felt horror as they preached their message:
Children should starve to death on the streets for the crime of
being born to parents on welfare – unless of course these
5-year-olds get a job or job training in the next three to five
years. I felt frustrated as they preached that an African American
male who steals a slice of pizza – so he will not starve to death –
faces 25 years to life in prison, because he was convicted once
before for stealing a bicycle and later for stealing another
bicycle – three strikes and those violent offenders are out.

I felt betrayed as the math teacher who taught my two older
sisters – one who is a chemical engineer and the other who has a
master’s degree in education from Stanford – felt that my family
and my people suddenly did not have the right to an education
because we were illegal. I finally lost faith in the "American
Dream" when Gov. Pete Wilson led the UC Regents in dismantling
affirmative action.

So just what was it that got me excited, energized and
activated? As I mentioned earlier, it was right after freshman
convocation. The Undergraduate Student Association Council
president at the time was a man by the name of York Chang. York
spoke about the attacks on education, women and people of color
made by the conservative forces in this country. He ended his
speech by inviting us to participate in a mass action for
affirmative action. In his voice of frustration I could also hear
mine – but what he said that truly grasped my attention was
something that I had never heard before. It was the voice of
passion turned into action. It was the voice of word turned into
deed. It was the voice of activism.

I was activated.

In the weeks that followed, I was telling friends, classmates,
the world about the October march. I made class announcements,
phone calls and put up flyers. On the day of action, I was one of
the 3,000 chanting and marching in one unified, diverse and
beautiful voice.

It was amazing seeing all of the different people coming
together for a common cause. I was there rallying for justice with
my Chicano and Chicana brothers and sisters. I was condemning our
racist society side by side with my Asian American brothers and
sisters. I was cheering for freedom with my African American
brothers and sisters. I was praising equality with my white
brothers and sisters. Later that year, in March, there was another
mass action. And again I was there. Again, beautiful people came
together across our racial, ethnic and class lines to fight for
what was just.

At the beginning of my sophomore year, there was a mass action
against Proposition 209. This time I did more than march. I was
actually one of the many working class students of color who helped
to organize it. Those of you who were there with me will agree when
I say that it is a beautiful sight to see queer, straight, African,
Asian, Latino, middle class, working class men and women united for
the ideals that democracy upholds.

You might wonder, while trying to keep my grades up in a full
load of classes and holding on to a job (sometimes two) to support
myself, how did I find time to do all of this? Looking back, I’m
still not sure how I did it. I’m amazed at some of my friends who
had better grades and were more involved! I had to make the time
and even when I couldn’t, I still found the time somehow. You still
might wonder, why did I do it? After all, since I am at an
institution of higher learning, shouldn’t my own academic success
be my top priority? Then I started to think …

Grades could be my main focus here. I could really shine in
terms of just numbers if I dedicated myself to it. I could graduate
in four years and be at the top of my class. I could find work and
then go to grad school, or continue with my education immediately.
I could get a good job and live comfortably. I might get married or
I might not. I might have children, might not. I’ll get old, maybe
retire and eventually die.

Then I remembered what one of the speakers at a rally said: We
weren’t here (protesting) for ourselves, but for our parents. To
honor their struggles and continue the fight that they began. He
said that we were here for our little brothers and sisters and for
our children so that they too will have the opportunities that we
had – maybe even some opportunities that we didn’t have.

Whether you agree or disagree with race- and gender-based
affirmative action is important, but not the main focus of what I
wanted to say. I wanted to share these experiences with all of you,
but most particularly the incoming students, because in it there is
a message. Walking on to campus everyday, what are you doing? What
are you thinking about? Perhaps a better question is, why are you
here? If you’re here just to graduate in as close to four years as
you can, go on to graduate school or to start working, make a
decent living and retire at a reasonable age, while in the meantime
have a little fun with your friends, then you’re here for all of
the wrong reasons.

If you don’t know why you’re here or are not exactly sure where
your life is going, then you’re on the right track. If you are here
to learn about yourself, learn about others, be of service to
humanity, make the world a better place and make a difference, then
you are here for all of the right reasons.

UCLA is a public institution. A public institution serves the
public – not just some of the public but all of the public. As
members of this institution and as human beings, we are all
obligated to serve one another. That’s why I joined in the fight
for affirmative action. I wanted to help make a difference. I
wanted to be of service to others. I want the opportunity for an
education (which is right in this country, NOT a privilege) to go
to everyone despite how much money their parents make, their
gender, or the color of their skin. I’m not saying we should all go
out and march, but I am saying we should all get involved in any
way we can to benefit our campus and off-campus communities.

There are so many groups on and off campus out there that can
help you make a difference. They need volunteers, tutors, hard
workers, everyday Bruins like you and me. Get involved. Be of
service to your brothers and sisters, children of God. Make a
difference. That’s why you’re here at UCLA.

Andres Chang

Chang wishes to educate people about the racist, sexist and
classist country known as the United States of America. His column
appears on Fridays of even weeks.