2008 Woodie Awards
Activism Is Not Exclusive
Lisa Bernier
Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Perspectives
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The United Nations has reported 400,000 men, women, and children have been killed in the Darfur conflict. A further 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes. Ignoring this problem is not something a person with a conscience, can do. When the world neglected the situation of the Jewish people during World War II, 6 million people died-all in the name of "ethnic cleansing." The reason the United States was slow to react was because it was concerned with internal affairs.
The Bronx has problems, as does Queens and any other borough in New York City. Yet the scale of these difficulties does not begin to touch Darfur, or even New Orleans. Only a few weeks ago there appeared a story about how New York City is one of the safest in the world. The United States in general also has one of the highest standards of living, though by no means is there widespread comfort.
Despite more pressing international crises that often take the spotlight with activist groups around campus, by no means do Manhattan students ignore what happens locally. Campus Ministry members volunteer at soup kitchens, nursing homes, and with children in the area. They also participate in Habitat for Humanity and God's Love We Deliver, both community service projects. The Social Action group also works with the local elderly, children, and terminally ill. Manhattan College students have in the past tutored at elementary schools, and even during freshman orientation, opportunities are made for the incoming freshmen to help with food runs.
Why should students be ashamed of the address "Riverdale, New York?" That is the location of the college, after all. Students locate the school in the Bronx as well as in Riverdale. Yet when asked what part, they are laughingly told, "Oh, that's not the real Bronx."
Perhaps the school should advertise the attractions in the Bronx on its website. The Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Gardens are worthy of attention. Most people outside of New York City, however, have not heard of these sites. You advertise the well known, and, fair or not, the museums, parks, and other parts of Manhattan are much better known than the Bronx, with Yankee Stadium being the exception.
The Bronx has problems, as does Queens and any other borough in New York City. Yet the scale of these difficulties does not begin to touch Darfur, or even New Orleans. Only a few weeks ago there appeared a story about how New York City is one of the safest in the world. The United States in general also has one of the highest standards of living, though by no means is there widespread comfort.
Despite more pressing international crises that often take the spotlight with activist groups around campus, by no means do Manhattan students ignore what happens locally. Campus Ministry members volunteer at soup kitchens, nursing homes, and with children in the area. They also participate in Habitat for Humanity and God's Love We Deliver, both community service projects. The Social Action group also works with the local elderly, children, and terminally ill. Manhattan College students have in the past tutored at elementary schools, and even during freshman orientation, opportunities are made for the incoming freshmen to help with food runs.
Why should students be ashamed of the address "Riverdale, New York?" That is the location of the college, after all. Students locate the school in the Bronx as well as in Riverdale. Yet when asked what part, they are laughingly told, "Oh, that's not the real Bronx."
Perhaps the school should advertise the attractions in the Bronx on its website. The Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Gardens are worthy of attention. Most people outside of New York City, however, have not heard of these sites. You advertise the well known, and, fair or not, the museums, parks, and other parts of Manhattan are much better known than the Bronx, with Yankee Stadium being the exception.