Change is in OUR Hands!

There’s a different kind of climate change occurring in our world today, and it has nothing to do with the environment. The global climate has recently switched from steady to unruly. There have been 298 attacks before November 20 this year. We also can’t forget the attacks on campus as well, such as at the University of Missouri and Yale. These are including global terrorist groups and one-man attacks such a the Planned Parenthood attack in Colorado.

This post is not to recount the terrors of what’s happening globally. This post is to inspire us on the SSU campus to be agents of change. You may think, “I’m just a student, what can I do?” There are plenty of things you can do. You have more power than you think.

image credit

These days, the battle to control the narrative happens in real time, and it involves anyone with a social media account.

– The L.A. Times

College students have done numerous campaigns to enact social change and combat this poisonous climate. What can you do as a student?  You can:

• Write to your elected officials
• Do a guerilla campaign on campus (think MASSPIRG’s chalk and signed sandwich)
• Host an event to discuss these issues
• Send money/help to refugees and victims

What will you do? Tweet @SSUECC what YOU can do to enact social activism on campus with the hashtag #SSU4Actvism.

The first step that you can take is attend the campus forum on the racial climate at SSU. Join the Diversity & Multicultural Affairs office along with SGA  to identify priorities,  create solutions, and move towards healing regarding the racial climate of the world and reduce racial tension.

The forum will be at Vets Hall at 3 p.m. on Monday, December 7.

SSU Groups Do More Than Get Social

Groups and Organizations did more than get social this year, they actively participated in social change! Social Activism was a major theme on campus this year for groups and clubs. Putting on fun events and parties are just one way that student organizations help out on campus. Giving back to the community is another! Who said living simply so others can enjoy the fun isn’t a party in itself?

According to ideas.ted.com – a blog supplement of TED talks that focuses on social change and ideas that need to be spread – we’re at a point of crisis in our country. Everyday citizens need to be more educated on the issues of today, and how to advocate for them. Those with “clout” a nowadays are the only ones that know how to do this. Basically, those with the power are making all the changes. However, Student Organizations this year worked on teaching the SSU student body about how to enact social change, by leading my example.

Student Orgs had no trouble defining social change, however here is a definition for us that need a little clarity:

Social change refers to any significant alteration over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms. By “significant” alteration, sociologists mean changes yielding profound social consequences.

Ideas.ted.com advises its readers to understand five simple concepts before they go about enacting social change. Our students groups and organizations this year sure did know these five concepts this year when they did their social activist projects. They seamlessly combined fun and social change. Our students groups and organizations mastered these five concepts: Understand the system, Identify your objective, sharpen your strategy, tell a story, and practice.

After our student leaders grasped those concepts, they were ready to enact social change. However, what is an example of social change? Here is what SSU and Student leaders were up to this year:

sources:

http://ideas.ted.com/5-basic-skills-of-power/

http://socialmarketing.blogs.com/r_craiig_lefebvres_social/2008/12/

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences/sociology/social-change-and-movements/social-change-defined

Parting the Seas of Social Change

Here at SSU, we believe you can change the world. That’s what the student leaders who attended our leadership conference weekend from Saturday, September 14th to Sunday, September 15th learned. One of the major ways of getting involved in society today, even as a student, is social change. Getting involved in the major social issues of our day such as LGBTQ rights, the wage gap, or immigration can give you experience to use after you graduate.

Assisting with social change doesn’t have to be this grandiose, difficult process. Your addition can be as small or as big as you want, as long as it’s something that makes you happy. The conference’s keynote speaker Johnny Cupcakes emphasized doing what you love, and being happy. If social change makes you happy, go for it. If walking dogs is what makes you happy, go walk some pooches. Whatever it is, do more of what makes you happy as Johnny Cupcakes says.

 

I know what you’re thinking: making a difference isn’t as easy as it sounds. What exactly should I do? Do I make changes on a big or small scale? What’s the first step? What you want to do is up to you and your passions. Multiple universities and scholars have constructed a guide using “the 7 c’s” to help people conduct social change.

 

 

INDIVIDUAL VALUES

• Consciousness of self
  Be aware and knowledgeable of the values you are advocating for, and know how you feel about them yourself.
• Congruence
  Be consistent with your values, thoughts, words, and actions.
• Commitment
  Me committed to your mission. Be motivated and passionate, and it will eventually rub off on others!

GROUP VALUES

• Collaboration

Working togethers empowers others. When the public sees a group of empowered individuals,             they will feel empowered too! There’s power in numbers

• Common Purpose

A common purpose strongly bands people together. Being in a group will enable the members to          analyze the issue and take steps toward change.

• Controversy with Civility
  Recognizes two fundamental realities of any creative group effort: that differences in viewpoint are inevitable, and that such difference must be aired openly but with civility.

COMMUNITY/SOCIETAL VALUES

• Citizenship
  The individual and the collaborative group become responsibly connected to the community and the society through the leadership experience.

 

If you’re aware, committed, and part of a group, you can change the world!

 

Sources:

http://www.kean.edu/ku/Social-Change-Model-of-Leadership-Development

http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-make-a-difference-12/

Image Credit:

http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-make-a-difference-12/

http://www.kean.edu/ku/Social-Change-Model-of-Leadership-Development