Local issues turn national through activism; remember the Civil Rights movement?
As news of racially charged crimes continue to appear, students from Florida A&M University, Florida State and Tallahassee Community College joined to form the Student Coalition for Justice. And, although the group is well over a year old, it is still great to know that all these schools can come together to get such an important job done.
With the heartbreaking Anderson verdict, it is like a breath of fresh air to see students come together, no matter what the supposed “beef” between them is, and charge for a change.
These students want to not only make their voices heard locally, but they want to make it a national issue; and you should too. We, as students, need to stand up and say, “We will not sit back while injustices exist.”
Other schools, if they haven’t already, should follow suit. It is time for young people to rise up and take a stand.
Yes, we have jobs, exams and the personal issues we are trying to deal with on a daily basis, but we must take time out to address important issues facing our community.
The Civil Rights movement became a national movement largely because of everyday people, like you, they made it their business to make a change.
Organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee were formed by people just like us; hardworking, dedicated and intelligent students willing to stand for something bigger than themselves.
Now is our time. We can make a change, and if we push, we can.
Remember there is power in numbers.
As said in Spike Lee movie ‘School Daze,’ “Walk up!”
Katrelle Simmons for the Editorial Board.