Inclusivity Within Community

This past week was very busy for a self-proclaimed, overcaffeinated environmentalist such as myself. Much time was spent bushwacking through the frozen St. Olaf natural lands in search of animals to take pictures of, as well as the new--to me--Focus The Nation event here on campus. Between those two, I was hopping from biosphere to sociosphere, all the while working up a sweat trying to formulate ways to encourage others to find a connection between the two. The more I listened to speakers during the event and the more I spoke to others about the event, the more I realized that there is a disconnection between not only students to the outdoors, but also students amongst students.

After one session of speakers I was discussing the event with a small group of sophomore students and I implored their thoughts pertaining to how well they thought Focus The Nation was reaching students with its message. They gave the usual "I think this is great that we are doing this on campus.....etc, etc." Except for one girl. She had remained silent, so I asked what she thought. She replied, "Well, this is good and everything, but I feel as though it is the same people going to all these events. It is the same people who are worried about the environment in the first place who are here now. What we need to do is reach out and pull people in from other interest groups."

This really struck home for me, because I had internally voiced these same thoughts. How do you reach people who have no interest in the state of not only their nation, but the world? How do you make them feel the same significance that you do on an issue? The main thought that I conveyed (or atleast I hope I conveyed) to this fine young lady was that what is important is that we seek those around us and engage them in disarming discussions. Ask them questions about what is important to them first and then go back and state that this is important to you. One main thing that needs to come before results is discussion. This needs to occur in government and just as importantly, at the grassroots level. Be inclusive with your thoughts to those around you. See what happens......

peace

J