The 7th Annual Relay for Life is rapidly approaching and the contagious disease of apathy is once again floating around the campus.
The symptoms range from the classic excuse of, “I don’t have any money” to the conspiracy theory that the money does not actually go to cancer research but to “The Man.”
Apathy, with its discreet venom, has reigned in the black community because it keeps killing.
Unlike cancer that affects six out of 10 African Americans per year, apathy affects the chance to find a cure because nobody wants to fund the research.
Unlike cancer that affects seven out of 10 black women, apathy dashes the hopes anddreams of a healthier tomorrow.
While waiting for an elevator, a Relay for Life committee member went up to a group of students asking them for donations for the annual event.
One young man asked what the event was for and the committee member gladly told them that the event raised money for research for cancer and to one day find a cure.
The elevator doors opened and the group rushed in while the committee member followed, telling them various cancer facts. Eventually one young lady said, “I’m just not interested in giving any of my money to that kind of stuff.”
Relay for Life should be seen as an investment rather than a waste of money.
If there are 12,000 students on campus and a little over 200-faculty members, everyone should pledge to give at least a dollar to this cause.
Too many times money is spent on objects that do not build the community up, but if there is a cure for apathy then there will be a cure for cancer.
Kianta C. Key for the Editorial Board.