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Neutrality in a Time of Question

December 8, 2016 Matthew Cummings Service, and Social Justice, DePauw University

In 2002, late historian Howard Zinn authored the book You Can’t  Be Neutral on a Moving Train that summarizes Zinn’s life and struggle as both an educator and advocate for social justice. History is a journey and as a person who exists in the movement of this journey you can either go along with the ride as events unfold themselves, sitting on the passenger seat gazing out the window or you choose to act as the journey unfolds. The 2016 election of Donald Trump left many #SApros in a time of question as values such as inclusion, diversity, and equality appeared to be defeated by the results of the election. NASPA sent out an email to the Student Affairs field along with webinars being organized to discuss the climate and support of students who are in the trenches of our institutions.

Now must be the time that those of us immersed in the #SApro field must take, learn, analyze, and commit to the social justice competency that guide us and call us to inclusion and developing a lens of anti-oppression to develop programs, mentor students, and encourage student learning. It is no longer a time for social justice to be a list or checkbox, but a praxis that is central to our core mission.

Our campus is exploring the possibility of bringing community organizers and activists trained in nonviolent methods to equip our student leaders with the basic skills on resistance, organizing, and methods for social change. There has already been staff, faculty, and student demands and demonstrations for our campus to be a sanctuary campus. Further our leadership team has developed a webpage of resources for students who may be at risk with emerging immigration policies.

As we think about democratic engagement and the civic mission of universities more words of Howard Zinn that “Democracy is not just going to the polls, but it is being engaged”. Yes, we want students to vote in elections, but we also want them to be aware of the process of social change and being present in their communities. We can no longer see our efforts as democratic just by voting every 2-4 years, but our democracy is measured by the civic mission and action of our institutions in these times of question.