Protest: Like a gentleman

 

As a student from America, where the general mood towards politics is rather somber, and the scene is only peppered with radicals (such as the tea-partiers), coming to the UK was quite a shock. Witnessing student activism here was incredible. From the lecture I was given about being a ‘global citizen’ from Mr. Forstenzer, the President of the Student Union, to the socialists handing out “down with Capitalism” fliers in the Union, the involvement of students here borders on the unreal.

So I was quite surprised by an article I read asserting that the average British student was too polite in debate, and should instead act more like a German student activist. The author recounts several instances of student activism both here at Sheffield and in Berlin, and suggests that the Sheffield student pulls a leaflet out of the German book. Well, Mr. Leeuwen, I respectfully disagree.

While I think the degree of student activism here is delightful, and a welcomed change from the apathetic and willful ignorance of the average American student toward politics, there are right ways and wrong ways to attract attention to a political issue, and I think the German students have taken the latter form. It’s right to want student activism at Sheffield to be forceful, perhaps he is right, the students here are a bit docile. But does this mean resorting to throwing petrol bombs and hurling stones?

We, at the University level, should demand a higher class of activism. I am an advocate of the “use your words” school, and think that instead of resorting to violence, we should employ our greatest asset – our intellectual ability. Passion is a mighty force, and I encourage students to take advantage of that passion; but, we must be mindful that in the hands of anyone, passion can also be a deadly weapon.

You have to wonder to whom the German students are appealing when they protest in such vulgar ways. Fellow students? I think not. They’re attracting people who don’t take the time to look into the issues and instead are drawn in by the cheap thrills of blowing up a McDonald’s or setting on fire a Burger King. It’s theatrics. And it’s a disappointing show, especially coming from students, from whom more, and better, is expected.

Think Out Loud

So I left you last time saying that I had much to tell, but that I hadn’t the time to tell it. But now I have so here goes. I had my post-graduate talk yesterday with members of my college (Arts & Humanities), and it’s basically just a “Welcome to Sheffield, we’re awesome!” talk. They had a few “important” people speak, and then they had the president of the student union speak. I really didn’t think I’d be interested in anything he had to say, until he introduced himself as a PhD student in Philosophy, which instantly captured my attention.

Now I thought he was just going to talk about all of the services offered by the student union, but instead he started talking about student activism. He was on his soap box sounding, quite honestly, self-righteous, talking about how we are obligated to help others as we have the means, and how we should look into volunteering and so on and so on. Which made me a bit annoyed because I didn’t go to be lectured to about being a better citizen. But, then I realized that this must be how I sound when I talk to people, and so I listened even harder. And I realized that what he had to say made a lot of sense.

I’m not really well-versed on the political and social system in the UK, I mean, keeping up with American politics is headache enough. But, listening to him, I realized they’re facing the same struggles as we are in the US. Particularly, the education system is facing budget cuts, which has the students up in arms. What really stuck out, I guess, about this young man’s talk is how active all of the students here seem to be. Even the university itself. People here are really tuned in, they’re aware. And what’s more, they actually care.

I wrote a few blogs back about how our failure to stay abreast of national affairs and politics and all the BS that lies between has resulted in our total downfall. And I asked you to consider the world that we live in and to really question if you’re happy with it. And that’s what he was doing. He was saying to to use our voice because, very fortunately, we have one and we are articulate enough to employ it. Progress is made, however, by more than just lofty ideals; it’s made by actual individuals, by you, and by me.

Margaret Mead wrote the too-oft quoted statement that one should “never doubt that a small group of people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Well, despite how often we’ve heard this, I think we’ve forgotten how true it is. I realize that, like the guy I’m talking about, I’ve gotten on my soap box and proselytized, but I’m just asking you to please, think out loud. Engage with others, challenge the old ideas, and let’s start a revolution.



The world does not have to continue moving toward disaster. But unless men change - which they still have time to do - the collapse will come. And if you want to know the specific process that will bring it about, that process - the beginning of the end - is visble today. - Ayn Rand, Ford Hall Forum, 1977

No Day But Today

So, much has happened since the last time I wrote. First, I made a friend – my flatmate. Her name is Florie, and she’s from France! And, get this. She’s from Montpellier (which is where I spent a day last summer)! She’s very nice, and actually she reminds me a bit of Katie, which makes me smile. We went all over yesterday, searching for the supermarket and shopping for things for the flat. Which brings me to the flat itself. My flat has 6 rooms (and right now I’ve only 4 roommates, the 5th hasn’t shown yet), and we shared a kitchen and showers. My room is fairly decent, see? Still working on it though. My other flatmates are all Asian, (they aren't like aKDPhi). But they’re nice all the same. They come from Malaysia, Taiwan and China, but they all speak the same language. So Florie and I are very glad to have each other since we have similar cultures.

Oddly, I’m the youngest person here (so far). I was expecting to be older, since Brits finish university in 3 years and not 4. But Florie is 24 and my other flatmates are 28! This didn’t bother me until I went out last night for the Postgraduates Social and I was called “a baby.” What? Anyhow, we moved past that minor issue and I actually had a great time out. The social scene here is so different. First, there was no fight at the bar last night. The whole night! No obnoxiously loud noise…I mean, music, playing in the background. And no drunken girl embarrassing herself by assaulting every seemingly available man. Oh, and no smoking. Very nice. (Especially since I thought I might have to pick the habit up to meet people. I swear, everyone here seems to smoke!) But I enjoyed it, and I met a lot of cool people. They told me which bars to avoid, and what streets had all the good going-out spots. One fellow I was talking to told me that I had “a bit of cheek.” I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but he was sort of laughing when he said it, so…who knows.

I hate to go on and on about how much I love it here but…I love it here. I find myself humming or singing to myself when I’m out walking about. I don’t really know how to explain it, but it’s sort of like this is the place where I’m the most myself. Of course, I still have to get accustomed to some things. For example, they have money in every denomination imaginable. They have bills for amounts as small as 5, but then they have a 2 pound coin, a 1 pound coin, a 50p (pence) coin, a 20p coin, a 10p coin, a 5p coin, and a 2p and 1p coin. It’s so confusing! I feel like an idiot standing at registers trying to figure out which coin is which. The weather is difficult, too. Very mercurial. Today, for example, it’s so hot that I’m dressed fairly lightly (by English standards). But yesterday I had 2 coats on at one point. Then the sun came out and my flatmate and I were peeling off layers of clothes like onions! It rains, it shines, all in the span of 20 minutes.
I have more to say, but this is quite long enough already. I’ll just leave you now with a few things I picked up about my new home.

Fun Facts About Sheffield

Sheffield is the 4th largest city in the UK .
The University of Sheffield’s Student union is the largest in the UK.
There are just under 2 million people in Sheffield.
There are about 55,000 students at the 2 universities in Sheffield.

Sheffield is home to the oldest football league in the UK, Sheffield United F.C.

Sheffield's shopping mall, Meadowhall, is the second largest in the UK.

That's all for now. I'm sure the list will grow.

From Sheffield,

Briana

Helter Skelter

So I’m in Sheffield, and so far I’m enjoying it. It’s hard to tell that I’m in Europe. Aspects of it are very European, distinctly English, but then other parts seem very American. All the same, it’s lovely. The weather is typical – unsurprisingly cold and wet. But, pleasantly so. I walked all over today, in a warm coat, and didn’t break a sweat! The people here are so friendly that I wonder that they’re not on drugs. I met a girl starting her freshman year at Sheffield when I was waiting for the train in Manchester. We were both running late and had missed the earlier train. While we were on the train we were talking about catching a cab to get to campus quickly and another girl on her way to campus overheard us. She helped us get our luggage out of the train station and directed us toward the cabs, and offered to let us stay with her (as she was from Sheffield) if we were unable to get into our dorm. Everyone greets you, and everyone smiles. Not in a creepy manner, just civil.

Sheffield is NOT small, as I believed it was. The city is really quite large and the campus sprawls out for quite a distance. Unlike Tallahassee, where the college campuses are distinct from the city, the university and the city of Sheffield weave in and out of each other seamlessly. I can’t really say where the city ends and the university begins. I suppose this is just how universities are set up in large cities.

The traffic here is unbelievable. And getting adjusted to the fact that they drive on a different side of the road is not easily done. I’m terrified of crossing the street because I’m not sure which direction to look when crossing. I almost got ran over last night because I judged the streets incorrectly. For now I’m sticking to the crosswalks. But this means walking around my elbow to get to one in order to cross. But at least the crosswalks are quick. Unlike in America , where pressing the button just means you’ll get an indication of when to cross, pressing the button here seems to actually trigger the traffic signals, which means pedestrians don’t have to wait very long.

Since this is a city (a European city) everything is very close. All of the pubs and the “grocery store” (the Tescoe) are right down the street from where I stay (about 5 minutes walk). Unfortunately, their vegetarian selection is small, so I have to walk to Beanie’s which is about 15 minutes walk (uphill, no less!). But it’s a pretty walk, Weston park is on the way, and I pass several eateries. There’s an abundance of things to look at.

I spent most of today ambling about, and so I know where the student union is now and the philosophy department. I have to confess that the union and department of philosophy are not nearly as beautiful as at FSU, but that’s an unfair comparison because things here are just…different. And I like it.

I haven’t made “friends” yet, but I’m not worried. Students are pouring in, and Fresher’s Week doesn’t start until tomorrow. My only concern is that everyone I’ve seen so far appears to be very young, and I’m not desirous of younger company. Hopefully, I’ll meet some fellow graduate students soon, I still need a date for the Harry Potter premier and I’ve only a month and a half to find one! I’ll keep everyone posted on my progress!

From Sheffield,

Briana

Rebuilding America – The Real Way to Restore Honor

I hate when people grumble about the current state of affairs, and then do nothing to alter it. So when I last posted, that wasn’t the end. Though I must confess that I’m not sure I have much to offer in the way of solutions, I will try to outline, at least a little, the direction I think the American people need to take.

First. Dare to challenge the status quo. Intelligently.

The tea party may be challenging the “system,” but what they are angry about I’m not sure they even know. Don’t get me wrong, my anger is not just directed at conservatives. It’s directed at anyone, really, who decides to adhere dogmatically to an illogical position.

I’m more inclined to listen to people when they are calm, clearly state their position, and argue in a rational manner. But hey, that’s just me.

Second. Don’t jump on the bandwagon.

Just because everyone else is screaming at the top of their lungs about those damn liberals and reforming America and restoring honor doesn’t mean you should, too. First, ask yourself what these people are even talking about. Much of it gets lost in all the mudslinging. Next, ask yourself is this your fight. You may find that once you know what these people are saying, you don’t agree with much.

Third. Against the advice of the inimitable Sarah Palin, don’t reload, re-evaluate.

Palin’s response to Dr. S’s retiring from her radio show in order to reclaim her first amendment rights was “Don’t retreat, reload.” Now, I’m sure that Sarah wasn’t intimating that Dr. Laura should get back on the air and say “nigger” 13 more times for good measure, but she clearly wasn’t suggesting that she evaluate her statements in the broader context. As with anything, if you advocate for a position, and meet with opposition, it never hurts to think, “hey, maybe I am wrong.” Opening yourself up to self-evaluation may illuminate points in your favor that you hadn’t previously considered, strengthening your position. It may also help you realize that you really are wrong, thus changing your position. Stop worrying about bruising your ego. This is bigger than you.

Fourth. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated.

Let’s accept politics for what it is. Fear-mongering, manipulation and deceit. Don’t buy into it. This Republican former-legislator in Arizona is trying to get homeless people on the ballot as members of the Green party in order to split the Democratic vote, leading to a Republican victory. What he is doing is vile. He can’t win honest so he wins underhanded. But the fact that Democrats, or anyone really, would just vote for a candidate because of party affiliation is even worse. (So shame on Democrats, too! See, I’m not biased!)

Learn as much you can, know as much as you can, and go to the polls educated. The more powerful you are, the less powerful they are. And that works.

4.1: Don’t believe the hype.
People get caught up in the whirlwind of movements, furthering the momentum of what may really just be a bad idea from the start. I like to call it the “razzle dazzle” effect, from the glitzy musical Chicago. Throw enough glitter in their eyes and stuff enough wax in their ears and they won’t even know what’s happening. Excitement is a form of manipulation, too. Don’t get caught in it.

4.2: Don’t buy into the fear.
When excitement fails, fear works every time. I think this is why I’m the most disappointed in the American people right now. Everyone’s so afraid of losing the “American way of life” that they don’t stop to wonder if what we’re losing was really worth holding onto anyways. And now instead of moving forward, as we should be, we’reregressing back to a 1960’s sort of political furor that’s demoralizing.

Fifth. Know you position, but know their position, too.

The thing that annoys me most about this Koran burning nonsense in Gainesville is not that books are being burned (though that does really irk me). Rather, it’s the fact that Pastor Jones execrates the Koran as a dangerous book, and something of the devil, but confesses he’s never read the book. Say what? It helps, when you’re arguing against something, to first know what that something you’re arguing against is.

I’m more persuaded by an argument that presents both sides of an issue, fairly, and then tries to convince me that one is better than the other. You can’t really do that, though, if you’re just opposed to one position for the sake of standing against it.

Sixth. Defend your position.

A particular person that I argue with - ahem, let's say debate with - (let's call him He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named), his favorite line of attack whenever I argue with him is “I have the right to my own opinion!” And he maintains that he has this right even if his opinion his unfounded. What he is really saying though is: “I have the right to my opinion, but you don’t have a right to yours!” Huh? I may not agree with what you’re saying, but please don’t be so lazy as to end on the “everyone can have their own opinions” note. You don’t’ really mean what you’re saying when you say that, (or you must not understand what it entails). And if what you believe in is worth believing, then it should be worth defending, too. So, please, do so.

Seventh. Respect your opponent. You don’t have to agree with their position, but respect it.

He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named also likes to say (whenever we’re having a debate) that I’m a loony liberal and my mind has been destroyed by philosophy. Sigh. What did we say about ad hominem attacks? If you can’t defend your position in any other way than attacking me, you should re-consider if it’s worth defending. Treat me with respect and dignity, even if you disagree with my position, and I promise, I’ll pay you the same regards.

Eighth. Don’t just wait to talk. Listen.

There’s a difference. If you’re just waiting your turn to speak, then you can’t really understand what the other person is saying (nor can you adequately respond to the points they’ve made). Listen to your opponent and you might even arm yourself against them.

Ninth. Don’t be afraid of discourse.

Discourse is a dying art form in America. It’s instead been reduced to yelling and bickering. Let’s bring it back. If you can do the aforementioned things, you’re successfully on the way to engaging in meaningful dialogue. People shy away from debate, afraid that it will lead to endless arguing. I really think that the only way we can ever make progress is by sitting down and talking with each other about issues. Let’s start.

Inspired by Ignorance, Fueled by Hate, Ignited by Fear – The Crumbling of the American People

Since America today is in the business of making sweeping generalizations I’d like to go ahead and join in the fun: all jews are kykes, all muslims are terrorists, all Hispanics are here illegally and they’re criminals, all blacks are thugs, all gay people are going to hell, and all white people are, have been, or at some point will be, affiliated with the Klan. And for us biracial people (for all of you concerned), we aren’t taking sides because we know that whoever wins we’re going to end up in concentration camps gassed to death because miscegenation is a disgusting crime (dontcha know?).

Excuse my mini rant. It’s just that I’m a little perturbed. There’s something happening in America. And I haven’t been sure what, though I’ve been noticing it for a while, sitting back, biting my nails, waiting to see what will happen. And then the answer came. Ignorance. Fear. Hatred. Ignorance has become America’s new best friend, followed closely by the Tea party. And I’m dodging like I’m in a freaking war zone, hoping not to get caught in the cross fires and accidently struck by a Bible. Ignorance and fear and hatred, standing alone seem easily conquerable. But they have risen up, an inseparable and impenetrable force, and they’ve surfaced so strongly that I’m unsure if we’ve any tools left to fend them off or push them back.

If you haven’t been reading or watching the news (frankly, if you’ve been living under a rock or in hibernation), you probably don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. But you’ve probably seen it and just weren’t really aware. You’ve probably felt it too and just dismissed it as anxiety or nausea. But it isn’t. It’s the screaming evangelist in the FSU courtyard telling you you’re going to hell for reasons that he doesn’t even know. It’s Dr. Schlessinger spewing the word “nigger” on the air 11 (or was it 13?) times, and then tucking tail and running because she “wants her first amendment freedoms back,” (did I miss something? Where did they go?). It’s this preacher of the Christian faith, (which is supposed to be, I thought, about love and forgiveness), in Gainesville burning copies of the Koran because “we must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam” (excuse me, but aren’t you now a radical Christian? Maybe radicalism is just bad, eh?). It’s those people in Utah who compiled a list of “illegal” immigrants, a list that contained the names of people who were, in fact, in this country legally. But even worse than all of that, even more disturbing and disheartening is YOU. Your inaction. Your refusal to think, to critically reflect on what’s happening and ask yourself why? Or, is this right? Your acceptance as unequivocal fact any information that people you have “faith” in tell you, instead of doing research and investigating and forming your own informed position.

And how do I know that you’ve done this? Because when I question you, when I engage you in debate, you either A.) can’t defend your position B.) Repeat whatever you heard Rush Limbaugh say on the radio yesterday morning or C.) resort to calling me un-American or a stupid liberal. (Hint: If you have to resort to ad hominem attacks you should perhaps re-evaluate the validity of your position.)

You see, more disheartening than the news headlines of late is the quiet, the undisturbed silence, of the American people. We’ve been mind-fucked into gelatin molds of humans who complacently sit and accept as fact whatever whoever in charge is telling us. It’s been happening so long we’re numb, and what’s more, we even think we enjoy it!

I know what you’re thinking. Who the hell is she to judge us? To condemn us? What makes her right? And you’re absolutely right. Me? I’m no one, really. Just that little voice in your head begging you to listen, that pesky voice you keep trying to shoo away like a fly. But I won’t go away. I’m not going anywhere. I will always be that annoyance, that irritation. I’m the person involved in hostage negotiations in a war over your mind. And I’m not giving up now, I won’t lose you. I don’t think that I’m right, or that you’re wrong. I just want you to really think. Think about this world, this America. Think about what you’re bringing your kids into, what kind of world they’re going to inherit. And ask yourself if this is the best that we could give them?

You never get to grow old in the America you grew up in. Hopefully, you grow up in a better America. But when I look around me, as I see it all fall to shit, I can’t help but wonder, why be here at all? We can be better than we are. So let’s give it a shot. And let’s begin by asking ourselves, “What the hell are we so afraid of?”