Go big or go home
Urging students to become politically involved

Go big or go home is our philosophy.  This reasoning can be applied to most things in life and ensures everyone’s days are more satisfying, more daring and more rewarding.  In light of recent political happenings on campus, we encourage the student body to join with us and make this their personal life motto.  You know, rock out with your … socks … out.

With BSG campaigning and elections, the heated controversy over the social work department’s resolution denouncing the war, and the newly chalked sidewalks showcasing political messages of both anti-war and pro-war content, political awareness and activism seem to be at an all-time high for a student body who has largely been apathetic to political issues in the past. 

Without looking at the political opinions backing this series of activism, one thing is clear:  It doesn’t matter what side you’re on.  It doesn’t matter which party line you follow.  Gather the facts and have an opinion that is your own. 

Politics may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we live in a country that demands participation from its citizens.  Democracy by definition is a government run by its people, so voice your opinion if you don’t like the way things are being run.  It’s not unpatriotic to question your government. It’s not wrong to go against what other people tell you to believe.  If anything it’s patriotic — after all, our country was founded on the idea of independence and change. 

Take for example John Lennon, Michael Moore, Ann Coulter — the essence of their political movements are not about politics at all. They’re about change — provoking thought and debate of opinion.  People like this woke up the country to the possibility of opinions and ideas different from mainstream.  Politics isn’t just about the dry, boring stuff.

So read a newspaper every day.  Find out what’s going on and be up on current events.  The college graciously offers The New York Times, The Democrat and Chronicle, and USA Today in all the dorms and The New York Times in the Union — for free!

Brockport seems to support this effort of political awareness with a diversified calendar of lectures. Recently, Captain Pillai spoke about Iraq and his experiences, and Don McPherson spoke about violence against women and the male stereotype of masculinity. 

Take advantage of the free newspapers and lectures the college holds. This may be the only time you receive these complimentary services. It may also be the only time you get to speak with certain people.  You may not find another place as conducive to the free-flow of ideas and opinions as a college campus.  

So have an opinion.  Raise your voice.  Start a revolution.  Organize a protest, chalk the sidewalks, petition the government, design a T-shirt that tells others exactly what you think, argue with your teachers, question everything and check it out for yourself.  Go big or go home.