Why Should You Be a Student Activist?

Here is a good question. Why should I be a student activist or an activist period? Or maybe your first question is, what is a student activist? Well, the answer to both questions is fairly simple; you may want to do and express what you believe in whether it is animal rights, gay rights, or politics. And to answer your second question; a student activist is someone who is working to make an effect on political or societal changes. They usually aim their influence towards making changes in schools, politics, human, and animal rights, but they are not limited to just these.

Student activism in America dates back to the 1930's. The National Student League joined with the League of Industrial Democracy and soon formed the American Student Union (ASU). The ASU managed to mobilize at least 500,000 students between the years of 1936 and 1939 holding strikes against the war that was in process. That was all started many years ago and is still in tact in today's society and college campus'.

You may have just started your freshman year in college and haven't had a chance to really get to know how and what your school mates may be offering to you. They hold in their hands the means and the knowledge that you may need to be an activist or what to be an activist for. To answer the question of what you should be an activist for; that is easy. You should consider activism to be a gateway, an expression of your beliefs and what you want to see happen in the near future.

Animal activism is very popular now as are gay rights. The animals deserve to have their right to a healthy and long life just as the gay community deserves to live in peace and acceptance from their fellow man. You may find a group that perks your interests or you may want to start up your own group. How would you do that, you may want to know?

- You can find an existing group. Many universities and high schools already have more than just one activist group.

- Ask around in your Student Activities Department or Campus Life. They can most likely supply you with a list of groups that are currently active on your campus.

- You should always look to join a group before ever considering starting one on your own. - - You can learn a lot from the one you join and put that knowledge towards the group you'd like to form in the future

- Join a network. This will help strengthen your current local group and help prepare for the long run ahead of you as an activist.

- Add yourself to the Campus Life Activism network and add your group to the list as well. - - This will help to get your group noticed and to get your cause out there so that others can acknowledge your group plans and existence.

Meeting other activist is a great way to gain a new perspective on your groups actions, can inspire you, help you develop skills, and learn what others are doing to help support their own causes. Searching for information online can be a great help to you as well. There are many activism groups that have posted their groups cause and plans on a web site or on forums. This is a great place to learn and to help others out as well.