Future looks bright for city, students
Since the first time my eyes fell on the esteemed halls and hallowed pathways of GCSU, I have considered that any student could live a life worthy of his weight in gold if he followed three valuable rules. First, if a man has been drinking somewhat consistently, he should never attempt to take a shot that includes the word “flaming” in the title. Second, one should never heed a word of advice concerning relationship problems from someone who eats Ramen Noodles at minimum once per day. And third, anyone who has a middle “Nickname” on Facebook should be completely ignored by the whole of society. (Ok, I made that one up this year). And, I must say, these rules did get me by fairly well in my fours years here at GCSU, while earning my undergraduate.
Ok, for those of you who did not catch that, I definitely just stated that not only am I graduating, but somehow, by the grace of some forgiving god, I have managed to do it in four years. My years here have been a roller coaster of highs and lows, with the highs being associated with 4.0s and student political participation, and with the lows often associated with things such as the vile word “mononucleosis” and underage drinking tickets. Just like any graduating senior, I’ve seen my share of things both good and bad in this city.
It’s also important to note, though, that I have seen some things transpire in this city in the last four years that fit the mold of amazing. Last year I saw a young male student almost take the Council seat of a Milledgeville “Good ol’ Boy” who has been involved in Milledgeville politics for most of his life. This past semester I saw over 300 students fill town hall for a planning and zoning meeting, so much to the point that the fire marshall had to evacuate the building and force the city to reschedule the meeting. This semester I have witnessed groups of student’s making plans and collecting money to sponsor and support candidates who believe GCSU’s student population deserves proper representation.
Some people, unfortunately, only look at the outcome of some of these events as the forecast for their effectiveness. Yes, it is true that Zack Johnson lost the election. Yes, it is also true that the City did not heed our calls for more equality concerning housing regulations. Both of these efforts were failures, but, in their failure they bring GCSU students a little closer to proper representation here. Ask anyone born in Milledgeville about these events, and they will quickly tell you these are the first times students have ever made any sort of fuss along the political spectrum. And, I must say, it’s a beautiful beginning to have witnessed.
Just as I came here to Milledgeville with rules for survival, I leave all of the student’s staying here with a few. First, get involved. The only way students will ever truly be heard is if they yell in a pack. Second, register to vote here. Without the strength to show we can make a difference in the elections here, students will never be respected. And third, never forget students make up a third of this city’s population. Students shouldn’t only believe they deserve better representation, they should demand it.
And on a different, final good-bye note, I leave you all with my final political prediction. Al Gore will win the Presidency. Go ahead, think about it: he traded out the lock-box for two Oscars. What’s to stop him? I think it would be a wonderfully “convenient truth.”
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Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 20 2007. Filed under Opinion.
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