You’re a progressive thinker. You figure that going to a somewhat liberal school in Chicago will make the acclimation process simpler. But there are so many organizations, classes, places to go, and people to see, that you’re going to feel a bit overwhelmed. How can you get the most out of college and also grow as a leftist? I have faired well at this university for two years. So, with those memories and experiences under my belt, I’d like to offer you some advice on some of the most promising ways to learn, grow, fight the system, and have fun while at DePaul.
Classes/Professors: Political Science, International Studies, Peace Studies, Community Service Studies, Women’s/Gender Studies, and Latin-American Studies are some of the departments that are most likely to spawn discussion on relevant political and social justice issues. However, I’ve found a few gems in the Communications and Culture department as well, such as the classes on Intercultural Communication and Communication for Social Change. The Education Department offers classes like Social Justice and Education and Gender and Education, and the History department has a course devoted to the study of different Revolutions. Some personal favorite progressive professors that I’ve had include: Tyler Khademan (Education) and Anthony Nicotera (Peace Studies), but I’ve heard marvelous things about our infamous and controversial Dr. Norman Finkelstein (Poli Sci), as well as an English Professor, Dr. Hugh Ingrassi.
Student Organizations: Here comes the organization plug: I can safely say that DePaul Students Against the War (DSAW) has been one of the biggest positive influence in my life since coming to DePaul (and I bet it could do that for you, too!). I had always been interested in activism, but had only been mildly involved back in Cleveland with Food Not Bombs and a few protests and demonstrations. When I started coming to DSAW I was participating in planning wonderful anti-war events, attending huge city protests, taking a trip to protest the war in Washington, D.C., and most importantly, making wonderful friends who cared about the same things I cared about. Being in DSAW makes me feel like I’m actually working to solve the problems I’ve always bitched about, but never actually did anything about. It’s also inspired me to make changes in my life outside of DSAW, including attempting to end a long-time love affair with Diet Coke….
Which brings me to my next organization: Activist Student Union (ASU). The Activist Student Union has been focused on labor rights in the past and does a lot of education and outreach regarding sweatshops, but they will be activists for any worthy cause. The biggest campaign ASU has worked on is the Anti-Coke Campaign. It was discovered that The Coke corporation hired paramilitaries to kill Union leaders in Columbia who were fighting for better conditions. ASU has had some success--many, many people on campus have been informed of the Coke boycott, and they have even managed to get the University to hold a panel discussion with members from Coke as a way to try to solve the problem without breaking their contract—however, the contract is still intact. There is still more work to be done. First, put down your can of Coke; next, come to our meetings.
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is a wonderful organization devoted to exactly what it says: Justice in Palestine. SJP has had many events that inform the campus about the horrors Palestinians face every single day under Israeli occupation. About a month ago, Israeli’s were ordered to evacuate territories along the Gaza strip, but the tension and strife between these two groups will continue.
Concerned Black Students (CBS) has lots of great events that draw attention to the racism still present in our system, and in everyday life. They also have some amazing talent amongst them, and I always look forward to the Spoken Word and Hip-Hop evenings they host!
One of the most important things I have fully realized while at DePaul was not taught to me in a class, but rather repeated to me by DSAW member, Spectrum President and SGA Vice President Cyndi Torres: Gender is a social construct! Deconstructing gender is one of the most political things you can do in our patriarchal, sexist system, and Spectrum helps you do that. Spectrum is the group for Gays, Lesbians, Transgendered, Queer/Questioning, and Allies on campus. Spectrum chooses not to consider itself a politically affiliated organization, but if you want to make it that for yourself, you can. They offer supportive meetings for socializing and discussing, and everyone looks forward to their always-colorful events. It is an organization full of some of the best people I’ve met.
Survive is the group on campus that works to end violence against women. This group is also full of really amazing, empowered people. They help host The Vagina Monologues every year, as well as Take Back the Night. [editors note- members of Survive have taken the group in a new more action oriented direction and renamed themselves “Feminists in Action”]
Amnesty International is an international organization, and the DePaul Chapter has succeeded in the effort for human rights across the globe. They are responsible for Theresa House service, the trip to protest The School of Americas in Georgia, and many other wonderful projects.
For (fairly) non-violent good times, join the DePaul Dodge Ball team. It’s fun, it doesn’t hurt anyone, and lots of swell people are on our DePaul team.
Lots of people have lots of issues with the Student Government Association at DePaul. However, that’s why it is our responsibility to put our voices in at the SGA meetings! Don’t let your Student Government make decisions that don’t include your voice. SGA has the potential to do great things for our student body, and it’s our job as the students to see that they follow through. We’re all very excited about the upcoming SGA year, now that our respected DSAW peer, Cyndi Torres, is Vice President!!!!!!!
You can also get your voice out through The DePaulia newspaper, or WDRP, DePaul’s radio station. Simply submit an article, or host a show. Trust me, they need more forward-thinking ideas circulating in those arenas.
The DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment, Black Student Union, South Asian Student Association (SASA), Asian Cultural Exchange (ACE), and United Muslim Moving Ahead (UMMA) explore their culture, bring awareness to others, and host amazing events. Attend some meetings, or at least go watch the SASA girls dance!
Free Food: Many of us try to abstain from participating in capitalism as much as possible, and also thrive on not letting things go to waste; this leads to fervent searches for free food. As freshman, you all have meal plans, but if your plan is small, and you still want to help eliminate waste, consider the following:
1)Dumpster Diving-hop on your bike and take some friends to Whole Foods or Trader Joes, or any bagel/bread places like Einsteins or Panera. There’s no need to go in any of the aforementioned locations, just go as far as the parking lot and find their big blue dumpster. Watch out for rats, and find several days worth of bread, barely expired boxes of food, and sometimes even fruits and veggies. Enjoy for yourself or find the nearest Food Not Bombs--a group that serves and feeds vegan meals to the homeless or whomever is hungry, and they hardly ever spend a penny--and donate it to them. If you have a large meal plan, find the nearest older DSAW member and offer to buy them dinner.
2)A lot of the cultural groups like UMMA and SASA host events with amazing free food. Don’t just go for the free food, because usually their events are incredibly entertaining, enlightening, and informative. However, the food is a perk, and there are always lots of vegan options. There are also lots of other groups that host movie-nights, or discussions, etc., and provide sandwiches and snacks.
3)I love baking, so I think I’m going to be bringing food to DSAW and/or ‘Zine meetings. So, if you join us, I’ll feed you sometimes. Other DSAW members surprise us with food from time to time, as well.
Places to Go: If you have enough money to spend on a meal, the top two best restaurants in Chicago for progressive eaters are The Chicago Diner and The Heartland Café. Both have tons of really amazing vegan food, which means they are helping saving the earth and challenging Capitalist practices just in doing that. However, both places also do great things for the activist community in other ways. The first Wednesday of every month is Earthsave day at The Chicago Diner, and profits from your meal go to Earthsave Chicago. The Heartland Café has lots and lots of fundraising events, and it’s run by really great activists!
The Hot House, The Buddy Space, and The Che Café hold art exhibits, live performances, and other events of a progressive nature. They are all also relatively DIY establishments. All of them are a good time if you want to be surrounded by good people and have a unique experience. Look for lefty films and documentaries at The Gene Siskel Film Center, The MusicBox, and Facets (it’s right down the street!). The Neo-Futurists are a progressive theater group that will make you laugh, cry, and think in just an hour. Every Friday-Sunday, they perform the 30 plays in 60 minutes.
Looking for something to read besides text books? Quimby’s is one of my personal favorite places in Chicago; they are primarily a ‘zine store, but have books, and other fun things as well. Lots of activist literature!
Try buying groceries from someplace like Whole Foods or Trader Joes, which offers lots more than Dominick’s for the conscientious shopper, and usually for lower prices. They have vegan and organic food galore, and carry all the brand’s that help out with Earth-friendly practices.
Miscellaneous: *You will become quickly familiar with this scenario: Addressor: “Street Wise!”; Addressee: (lack of response, walks into Dominick’s); Addressor: “Maybe on the way out!”. Standing outside of Dominick’s will be a man, (usually our friend Tyrone), trying to get your mere dollar donation to help the homeless by offering you the Streetwise newspaper. It is not the fault of the homeless that they are in the state they are in; it is the fault of the system. If you have some extra change, buy a Streetwise.
*Keep your eyes and ears open for special events at DePaul, like speakers and concerts. We’ve had everyone from Margaret Cho to Kathy Kelly. And even if you don’t like the person, it’s always good to go to question and answer sessions. Plus, they are usually FREE for DePaul students. Be sure to look out for special guests at our neighboring universities like Loyola and Columbia, too.
*The best hummus on campus is at The Bean Café in the gym. They also have the best vegan smoothies.
*Put your recyclable items in blue bags and the city of Chicago will make sure they aren’t disposed of with the rest of your trash. You can buy the blue bags from Dominic’s, or save your bags from Whole Foods, which offers the blue bag as a choice. (But it’s best to take a cloth reusable bag grocery shopping!)
*Make sure you have good bike locks; bikes are a hot commodity here, you need to lock them well.
***Finally-Be open to new experiences. Allow yourself to challenge your comfort zones. Realize that you can be a college student, have fun, and still be politically and socially active. Know that you can make a difference. Realize how fortunate you are, and try hard not to take things for granted. Find something you are passionate about. Never accept that things “have to be this way.” Live and love uninhibitedly for positive change.