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More info on Disney protest at ISU |
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by Nick
Email: naberve (nospam) ilstu.edu (unverified!) |
22 Mar 2001
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Here is a response I got from one of my friends who was at the protest. |
Can someone share this email with USAS and people
from our human rights class in attendance. I do not have emails for either
groups. Feel free to pass this on to anyone on your secret lists. What a
night, huh?**
When I saw Nino deliver his impassioned speech I was truly moved. As my
best friend I wanted nothing more than to follow in loyal support and offer
myself for arrest. Nino, I hope you know that I would have done this only
if I did not think that others needed to hear your story.
At 7:00 pm I left the Disney meeting to attend Academic Senate. At the end
of the meeting, during the communication section, I gave a 10 minute
impromptu oration about today\'s events and their importance.
I was so mad during the Disney meeting. How can people accept such blatant
brain washing and not care about this issue? People booed us out of the
room! To make up for my silly outburst when I left the Disney meeting, I
told the following to Senate: (more or less)
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\"You have to be wondering why I am wearing these mouse ears throughout the
meeting. They are not in honor of Mickey Mouse, rather his brother Sweaty
Mouse who is older, wiser, and an activist against sweatshop issues. Today
the United Students Against Sweatshops brought Sweaty Mouse to campus to
help protest the Disney summer internship recruitment program. You all must
know that Disney has some of the worse sweatshops throughout the world that
employ 15 year old women who are often beaten, sexually assaulted, and paid
an unlivable wage.
I am tired. Why? After reflecting, I realized that I have eight weeks
until I will graduate from my undergraduate experience in May. I have
earned three majors. I have spent time with each of you on the Senate as a
member on numerous committees ranging from Educating Illinois to multiple
administrative and faculty searches to the Minority Issues Committee and so
on ad nauseam ad infinitum. The morning and night seem to blur into one
another as each day feels as though it far exceeds twenty four hours, and
thus I am tired of fighting for progressive, liberal causes in tandem with a
small, yet cogent, minority of active students. We need help.
As faculty, each of you have taught me to become a critical thinker. Each
of you have taught me to evaluate the unending complexity of life by
searching for the most complete pieces of information. Thus, I must ask
some important questions. Why is it acceptable to allow Nike to form
contracts with athletics on our campus? Why is it acceptable to allow
Disney to recruit our students for a program that offers academic credit for
janitorial work. Both companies are notorious for their prolific use of
sweatshops that employ abhorrent working conditions. I and others did not
find this information from an illegitimate website, rather personal
conversations with Charles Kernaghan, director, National Labor Committee.
We have researched these sweatshop issues extensively, which only supported
our worst suspicions and our sadness for a global society in such apathetic
decay.
I must admit that I am extremely appreciable of Dr. Boschini and his
support. We have spoken throughout this semester and, in principle, he is
in support of designing financial policies to eliminate any relationships
with companies that treat people as disposable humans through the use of
sweatshops. We are now in the design phase of constructing policy that
would accomplish this goal. However, as you might want to clarify Dr.
Boschini, there are no promises on a final product.
The world feels as though it is collapsing. If we can not address these
issues in a university, then truly the world is absent of hope. We are the
intellectuals with the ability and obligation to dutifully address these
concerns. I want the Academic Senate to take ownership of these issues.
Shouldn\'t we take charge to eliminate our relationship with corporations
that profit from sweatshops? Shouldn\'t we take charge when we learn of
racial profiling in the Bloomington-Normal community. I know many of you
were hippy activities in your academic \"hay day.\" Can we proudly stand
against the problems in the world and demonstrate to others how to conduct
ethical business? As I leave my undergraduate experience, I sincerely hope
that these issues are remanded to the next wave of leadership as tasks to
make our home a positive living community respectful of our global society.
I simply offer a humble plea asking for you help. We can only conquer these
problems with your support and leadership.\"
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Afterwards MANY faculty started expressing their sincere interest and
IMMENSE desire to make these issues a part of the Senate. Many of the
members of Academic Senate are former activists. We have the potential to
revive this sleeping dragon :) Also, the Senate will review the legitimacy
of offering academic credit for the Disney internship experience. Next week
I have been asked to design a sense of the senate resolution charging the
Academic Senate to address these problems thoroughly. In spirit, this idea
was agreed upon last night.
Upon refection of the Disney meeting, WE CAN KEEP FIGHTING THIS IMPORTANT
ISSUE IN THE FACE OF BLATANT APATHY. We simply must reevaluate our tactics
for helping people \"see\" the problem at hand. I realized that we need to
start by developing credibility. No one knows that we are the top students
in our departments or campus leaders or volunteers. Many people envisioned
us as stereotypical activist freaks -- whatever that means. With
credibility, humility and charm we might be more impactful. Any thoughts?
Take care,
-Ken
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