Why is Social Activism at SF State weak?

Last week, I did a questionnaire for my school paper and asked SF State students how they feel student activism is on campus. The answer? Weak.

SF State has a strong history of activism. SF State was the first 4-year university to offer a Bachelor;s degree in Black Studies , and it was only after protests from students, workers, administrators, and teachers that resulted in a 5-month strike, the longest in college history.

I’m not sure if this is an SF State thing, or just a new generation thing.  But activism is definitely stagnant at SF State.  The biggest news this semester was the addition of Tasers as tools for University Police.  But most students haven’t heard, and the group that’s in protest of them is small.

Obviously the 1960’s and the climate not only in San Francisco but also in the country is not the same as today, to compare the two may not be fair.

There isn’t the same culture of activism or a strong social awareness.  I think students that are involved in activism on campus are considered to be on the outskirts not part of the mainstream of students body.  Students sometimes feel like administration doesn’t care what they think, and that they can’t influence them anyway.

In this day of social media I think the potential to mobilize a movement quickly is there.  In order for a social movement to be successful, organization is necessary, and reaching out to the community in as many different ways as possible.

There are some lost opportunities with the anti-Taser group on campus.  They need to reach out to the Black Student Union, other minority student unions on campus, these groups that are targets of police brutality and will be much more willing to hear about what SF State is planning for their police.

Reaching out to student of other schools, and groups against police brutality in the Bay Area is also a great way to mobilize a larger group. 

The opportunity is there but it needs to be taken advantage of.  Because it will be harder to get rid of Tasers once they are on campus, than preventing them from coming in the first place.

Urban Shield back in Oakland and getting backlash

 

Urban Shield came to Alameda County at the the downtown Oakland Marriott for a three day conference and trade show.  Protestors were there the first day October 25th.  About 100 protestors arrived, and about three times that in police soon followed.  Protestors were from Occupy Oakland, Berkeley Copwatch and other organizations. I had the chance to speak with some of them.

Unfortunately I was unable to talk with anyone from Oakland Police Department.

What can bring together Liberals and Conservatives?

One day after Oakland Hosts Urban Shield, a terrorist preparedness program called by others a militarization of local police, the capital saw 5000 protestors march against the National Security Agency’s (NSA) spying.

These programs — Urban Shield, which uses money from Homeland Security, and NSA spying programs have many people saying that they contribute to the creation of a police state. We look at other countries, like Iran as police states, but many are seeing how the U.S. has been moving towards the same with the advent of these programs. And those opposed are coming from the left and the right.

This topic of government spying on citizens has been able to bring liberal and conservatives together. Many Republican congressmen have been speaking out against the broad powers given to the NSA, and the unconstitutional spying on citizens. Many former Occupy Movement activists have been speaking out against NSA’s spying program.

Events like the protest in D.C. was organized by over 100 different single groups, and brought out the ACLU, Occupy NY, and conservatives alive.  It is rare when people of such varying political beliefs join together against a government policy.  What does this say to the administration?

In the last couple days Obama has been backtracking, asking for a review of NSA spying.  Obama is after all a politician, public opinion is very important to him. Maybe the backlash from both sides, sends the message — this is not about liberals or conservatives, but rather the basic fundamentals that this country was founded on.

We have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and that’s enough to bring together everyone.

Should government employees be allowed to strike?

After the recent BART strike ends (pending approval of the current deal on the table), and the AC transit strike delayed 60 days by a court order Wednesday, a question many are asking is: Should is be OK for government employees to strike?
Getting court injunctions for a strike is all but impossible. If grocery store Lucky’s employees wanted to strike, it would be hard for Lucky’s to find a judge to stop them. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, protects the rights of private sector employees to organize, collectively bargain, and if necessary strike. But BART who’s strikes affect almost half a million people daily, and can gridlock several counties, was court ordered at the request of Governor Brown to a “60-day cooling period”, basically a court ordered ban on a strike for the 60 days.
Many states have bans on strikes in the public sector. New York does not allow transit employees to strike. Called the Taylor Law, the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, prohibits unions in the public sector from striking.  Some are suggesting the same for our transit unions in the Bay Area.
Ideally every unions should be allowed to strike.  That is the way they have some power against a much larger and powerful employer.  But in the case of public sectors, consumers don’t have a choice of another place to go to get that service. If Lucky’s grocery store is striking, then consumers can shop at a Safeway.  But if BART or AC Transit, or teachers go on strike, where else can we go?  We are held hostage.
Other options suggested by some is negotiations are taken to arbitration, where a third party makes the decision. This does not give the option to the employer or the employee to walk away from mediation tables and leave the public out to dry.  It’s the best way to meet the needs of the employees, while still maintaining a public service we desperately need.

Storify — BART: The whole story

CHECK OUT MY STORIFY Here!