The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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The importance of taking action

In his article last week John Jose proposes that “It is better to do nothing than to attempt to ‘raise awareness’ about issues.”

Before I address his argument, I would like to set a few things straight. First, Sigma Phi Epsilon did not drive the Men With Integrity program. How do I know this? Well, I am a SigEp and I am a member of Men With Integrity. In fact, I served on both executive boards as an undergraduate. It was a SigEp who initially started the organization and recruited a diverse group of male and female campus leaders. Second, SigEp does want its members to treat women with respect, but men don’t join our fraternity just so they can learn some manners. I’m not even going to try to talk about the merits of joining this fraternity – that’s for another article or a separate conversation. On the other hand, I think every person on this campus and across the nation will agree that treating both men and women with respect is very important. Is this one of our keystones or main objectives as a fraternity? No. Is it a character trait we hope to impress upon our members? Yes.

The silly thing is the fact that Jose and I are friends. Maybe not best friends, but we’ve definitely shared meals and enjoyed conversation. I do not appreciate false information being published regarding either of these organizations, especially when he could have checked some facts with a simple phone call.

Now, I am not an expert on “raising awareness”, but I’d like to say my piece. This is your opportunity to stop reading.

If the notion of raising awareness for an issue is a “fallacy and a false hope” according to Jose – why should we do anything at all? I’d like to see Jose practice what he writes. The first question in my head is: why write and rant about this when you could be taking real action? Are you trying to raise awareness about the ineffectiveness of “raising awareness”? I find it somewhat ironic. I write because I enjoy sharing what I am thinking with other people. Isn’t writing an effective tool for communicating a message to a larger group of people?

I will agree that raising awareness is not enough – it does not stop women from being raped, it does not enable more cancer research, and it definitely doesn’t end any wars or stop the kidnapping of children. But, raising awareness is an important step in starting any kind of movement. Jose discourages people from raising awareness, but he doesn’t provide any “real” solutions. In regards to making campus safer, we already have Giddy Up, and it’s a pretty good service. They operate Thursday through Sunday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Need a ride any other night? You can always call SMU PD if you feel so inclined to do so.

Unlike Jose, I believe raising awareness is beneficial. For example, despite Jose’s efforts to dissuade you from raising awareness, someone reading this article will start to think about “actions” that can make this campus a safer place. And when there is awareness about an issue, the probability of individuals stepping up to take the lead in actions rises. After rereading Jose’s article again, I’m still confused. What harm is being done? Do you really believe that SMU students will feel less motivated to tackle a problem because there is a group addressing it already? I feel that students who hear about a group and feel the same way will actually be drawn to it and maybe take it to the next level – action. Give our students some credit!

Jose, I agree it is important not to grow complacent, but, I cannot agree with your argument that raising awareness is bad. I’ll compromise with you though and anyone else who may feel the same as you. I want you to participate in Take Back the Night, which you don’t feel is “real action”. And in return, I will actively participate in whatever “real action” you choose to take. If you make the phone calls to SMU PD and the right people, I will be right there with you lobbying for a safer campus. If wearing a wristband means one more person is asking questions, I’ll do that. I’ll even wear T-shirts every day if it means five more people will join us.

Students, faculty, parents, staff and friends – we are passionate people that live for a purpose. I believe that awareness draws people with common interests together so that conversations can occur and solutions can be formed. Without the initial voice of awareness, how are you going to solve any of these global problems?

Daniel Liu is a graduate engineering management student. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].

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