2008 Woodie Awards
Where Has All the Outrage Gone?
The Opportunity to Make a Difference is Here Today
Meaghan E. McCallum
Issue date: 10/14/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 2 next >
So, what is it with Montclair State University anyway? Besides the overwhelming number of sororities and fraternities that dominate our campus, what is out there to get into? I can't even walk across campus without the constant bombardment of infinite fliers
inviting me to the latest night clubs, or without seeing dozens of posters chained to tree trunks, advertising the promised exclusive social acceptance and perks of national and local Greek life.
Call me naive, but I can't appreciate a person's attraction to an organization that challenges loyalty by diverse forms of torture created, in my opinion, solely to formally organize cliques we thought we left behind in high school.
Where have all the politics gone? Where are the demonstrations, the protests, and the fight for what we believe in, both personally and as a unified community? We are the future of America; we can promote change by believing in a cause, any cause that illuminates what we stand for, not just our undying passion for shopping or the need for the newest winter shade of toenail polish.
However, my intention is not to completely condemn the passionate young American consumer, because I too love to spend my hard-earned, blue-collar dollars as frivolously as the next girl. But is it really the end-all and be-all of our generation? Is this really how we define ourselves? Will we be labeled as "Generation Shop," stacked neatly in line along with the Baby Boomers and the Dotcommers? Respectfully speaking, for our sake and my personal sanity, I hope not. As aspiring intellectuals, it is our duty and right to demand answers to the questions at hand, to challenge the system when we don't support the cause, to express our views and allow our voices to be heard.
You would think that national issues such as the war in Iraq, education, healthcare, the upcoming presidential election, teetering environmental policies, the gay and lesbian rights movement, or our failing economy would strike an internal cord resoundingly enough to provide the foundation for an epiphany.
inviting me to the latest night clubs, or without seeing dozens of posters chained to tree trunks, advertising the promised exclusive social acceptance and perks of national and local Greek life.
Call me naive, but I can't appreciate a person's attraction to an organization that challenges loyalty by diverse forms of torture created, in my opinion, solely to formally organize cliques we thought we left behind in high school.
Where have all the politics gone? Where are the demonstrations, the protests, and the fight for what we believe in, both personally and as a unified community? We are the future of America; we can promote change by believing in a cause, any cause that illuminates what we stand for, not just our undying passion for shopping or the need for the newest winter shade of toenail polish.
However, my intention is not to completely condemn the passionate young American consumer, because I too love to spend my hard-earned, blue-collar dollars as frivolously as the next girl. But is it really the end-all and be-all of our generation? Is this really how we define ourselves? Will we be labeled as "Generation Shop," stacked neatly in line along with the Baby Boomers and the Dotcommers? Respectfully speaking, for our sake and my personal sanity, I hope not. As aspiring intellectuals, it is our duty and right to demand answers to the questions at hand, to challenge the system when we don't support the cause, to express our views and allow our voices to be heard.
You would think that national issues such as the war in Iraq, education, healthcare, the upcoming presidential election, teetering environmental policies, the gay and lesbian rights movement, or our failing economy would strike an internal cord resoundingly enough to provide the foundation for an epiphany.