UC Walkout - Thoughts by Nick Garcia-Guerrero

I believe the literature below is gorgeous work, a student by the name of Nick Guerrero or Nick G wrote this, it’s just beautiful. Please Read:

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it is my belief that cynicism kills the ideals of democracy. As alumni, students, staff, and faculty of the UC system we make up a very sizable population of the state. Remember that we too are the public, and that we too are interested. It is to not just show support of faculty walkouts etc. but to show that we are aware of the situation and its … Leer másaffects on our institution, the effects on students and households, and most importantly, the far reaching effects the crisis will have on the future of our state’s well being. This does not necessarily call for an increase in tax revenue, but rather a reevaluation of how budget monies are distributed in our state and WHO benefits. In my opinion it is better to shout at a brick wall and hear your own echo, than to say nothing at all and depress in your inaction and silence. This problem is felt most by STUDENTS, STAFF, and FACULTY and thus we cannot rely on legislators and the public to have a sudden revelation and have them decide that they think it is important. We NEED TO TELL THEM as their constituency that we feel it is.

Issues to think about:
-How fee hikes will affect low and middle class students.
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-Implications for underrepresented students in higher education
-The implications of looking at out of state students as capital.
-What transparency means in a system like UC and if we have it.’
-IS MY EDUCATION GETTING WORSE?
-Faculty recruitment (and retention)
-How layoffs affect bottom wage earners
-Research funding
-Overall privatization of public education
-More out there…….

In sum, I am very passionate about this because of its implications to access to higher education. The day when a citizen feels that he/she does not have a voice in their own government and institution, is the day when we should ask ourselves if the system is working at all.

Nick Garcia-Guerrero

GO BEARS, Beat the DUCKS!

PS. As a student, I hope I never feel like my opinion is worthless and unimportant in comparison to the whole. If I’ve learned anything here at Berkeley, it is that action is the mechanism for change, and discourse is the impetus for action.

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Thank you Nick for sharing (: you’re literature sparks me with even greater fervor!

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