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news
Activist student
tries to encourage protest
By Kimberly Pasquis
On-line Forty-Niner
Looking to inspire
student activism, history major Jim Araby is in the process
of forming a new student organization that encourages students
to become active in political and environmental issues.
Students for Economic,
Environmental and Social Justice is currently in the Cal State
Long Beach recognition process, a five-week process where
the organization receives recognition from the Associated
Students Inc. and Student Life and Development.
Araby is in the
first stages of the recognition process. He is currently working
on the constitution and bylaws.
After reading a
series of liberal and social magazines and books, Araby began
to discover the political process and see that politicians
were not acting in the interest of society.
Araby's passion
was ignited when he saw NAFTA highlighted in the media. He
was troubled that the people of Mexico were being exploited
at the expense of flourishing businesses. Araby knew he had
to do something to reach more people about this problem.
So, the idea of
an organization came into play. He started the organization
on his own and hopes to attract students that share civic
ideals similar to his.
Araby, a Berkeley
native, has worked with The Oaks Project, the Ralph Nader
grassroots organization that trains people to become leaders
and advocates in their communities.
"I want to
be able to spur change," Araby said. "Everyone
has an issue and I want to prove that a group has more power.
The organization isn't going to be just about activism but
about learning also."
Araby hopes to
form an organization that is not based on a political platform
but one for learning and understanding. He plans to utilize
the knowledge from other student groups on campus to enlighten
the people in his organization.
Araby has been
talking to existing cultural and special interest groups to
be able to gain their interest in working together instead
of as separate entities.
"I will be
a community activist, a teacher and a student for the rest
of my life," Araby said. "I want to be able
to prove that a group of people can make a difference on any
issue."
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