I Don’t Want Your Flyer
Kate Olsen
It’s not that I don’t care, or that I won’t. It’s not that I strive to stay away from joining a group that is active in our community. It’s not that I’m careless or lazy. I’m just tired of the expectations.
You see, nearly everyone in Arcata expects you to have an opinion on something. The common stereotype is that all of us here care too much-- that everyone is super green and super liberal, covered in super dreadlocks with super messages. But those who are for the most part apathetic make up the silent majority.
The person with the pamphlet and the message is so annoying. “Vote for this,” “save the that”—“boycott!” “Speak out!” They cry for a revolution. Protesters, which consist of locals and students alike, claim that their voices need to be heard. They have already been heard. In fact, we’ve all heard them. And, for the most part, we agree with them.
We’re not heartless people. We are aware of the issues in our current world, and we want to see a better future. Generally, all of us in the Arcata community strive for the same things: elevation of small businesses, saving the global and local environment and equality, etc. We recycle. We ride our bikes. We eat organic. But I want progress beyond the protest. Is the preaching necessary? Protesters are bringing awareness to a community that is already aware. I don’t want to take your flyer. I don’t want to go to your movie night.
Students who are gung ho about their beliefs usually lead clubs and organizations at this school. I applaud their use of public relations; I hate their strident voice. They tell us to care. We already do. They tell us again. Now we don’t! Hearing the same message over and over becomes so unfortunately dull, even if the messages are positive.
Sometime last year, I was walking through the Arcata Plaza. I saw the people protesting the war in Iraq. They were standing there, motionless and silent. Fantastic. They’re making a protest against something that nearly everyone I know is against. I’m tired of hearing about the war regardless of its context, especially when nothing changes.
Another time, last year, the student body was trying to get more student votes. I was hassled by people for three whole days reminding me to vote. I understand the power of a vote, but one person could’ve told me that. Hearing the word “vote!” all day long for three days straight got so tiring.
The best opinionated moments in Arcata are when the religious zealots come to play. Last year, a man stood on the quad for two days, screaming into his microphone about obscenities concerning our student body. As a result, the students and faculty on this campus all got riled up against this person, who was insistent in letting all of us know that we were all “damned to hell.” It was empowering to see a huge flock of people in one area, all standing strong against this ridiculous preacher. Unfortunately, within a week some student protesters were back in action, preachingg their strong opinions on the same microphone.
While everyone is entitled to a broad array of opinions, the range of people who can respect other people’s opinions seems to be regrettably narrow. When considering the pressure to take action within our community, I think of high school peer pressure. It makes me wonder how many people came to Humboldt State University and became activists because it was the college norm to feel more involved in the community.
Would they be taking action in their own hometown? The signs and posters, the message: they all want change. But can they ever take a step back to think that we’re not all brainless? Have they ever thought that maybe that we all understand what they’re trying to say?
Being apathetic is like not having a tattoo. You get a tattoo to display your uniqueness. It is your mark to show how diverse and unique you are. The coy fish on your shoulder might scream, “Look at me! I’m different!” But, look now—the ones not marked up have become the minority. Those that are speaking up all the time are trying to show that they are different, that they care. They want to stand out. Standing out is the new fitting in.
Apathy is such a strong, sad word. But it’s my choice to steer clear from the constant voices that demand change. Everyday, there’s another idea shoved in my face. I’m a vegetarian who has yet to join PETA because they won’t shut the hell up. If a protester pushes me to agree, I won’t. And if my mind is made up, their preaching will not change it. If I forget to grab my Nalgene before I leave the house, I don’t want to get dirty looks for buying a plastic water bottle, even though I’m dying of thirst.PAGE 1 - 2
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Humboldt State University- Arcata, CA 95521