[rolan86]

I have never had a class like this before. This is a class on political advocacy that I need for my poli-sci major, and it is making me really uncomfortable. The whole idea is that writing essays and taking tests in a class on political advocacy is useless, and that it needs to be done, not just learned. So our professor told us very clearly, if you stay in this class, I expect you to actually change something. Find something you are passionate about, something that makes you angry, and work to change it. He says we should anger people, because that is a necessary part of advocacy. We had to write down all consequences we could face, such as arrest, expulsion, etc. I have never done ANY of these things, and don't know if I can stay in this class. He says that if we don't feel comfortable with this, we may drop the class, and if this is the case, urges us to drop it.

This leads me to my next dilemma. I am passionate about NOTHING. I can't think of ANYTHING I would be willing to fight for. This is starting to REALLY upset me. I know it sounds horrible, but the more I think about it, the more I realize how little I care about issues. I have been so priveleged through out my life, that I have never really experienced any struggles. I just don't know what to do. I could say increased tuition, gay rights, police brutality, racism, equality, are all things I would want to see changed, but are they really things I would actually take a step further and FIGHT for? I really don't think so to be honest. Yes I care about things like my family, but I really can't think of any political issues that make me actually angry enough to fight for. This is upsetting because I really do want to take this class and feel it would be an enormously rewarding experience it in the end, but feel I might have to drop it out of simple reason that I don't care about anything. How to tell this to my professor...

[Hellion]

I don't see how you are being encouraged to break the law...none of what you describe is illegal. But if you don't think you're up for it its probably better to drop the class sooner rather than later....but certainly try not to feel bad about it. Or you could talk to the professor about it see if they have any advice.

You can passionately advocate for something without breaking the law.

[rolan86]

True, I don't have to break the law, but how do I find something I am passionate about? I can't help but feel like a horrible ignorant person for not finding anything I'm willing to fight for.

[Ones44]

Just remember law and morality aren't always the same, you need to find a place where law contradicts morality and go there. You may find a passionate place there. Maybe watch Adam Kokesh get body slammed and choked by police or something terrible like that on youtube until some passion ignites. I don't know, 'm sure you'll find something.

From what you said, I'm not sure he is advocating breaking the law. You can be arrested without breaking any laws.
If you have to break the law for class, maybe take it up with the authorities. If you don't want to deal with that and decide to go ahead and break the law... do something that won't get caught in, such as copyright violation...

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by rolan86

I have never had a class like this before. This is a class on political advocacy that I need for my poli-sci major, and it is making me really uncomfortable. The whole idea is that writing essays and taking tests in a class on political advocacy is useless, and that it needs to be done, not just learned. So our professor told us very clearly, if you stay in this class, I expect you to actually change something. Find something you are passionate about, something that makes you angry, and work to change it. He says we should anger people, because that is a necessary part of advocacy. We had to write down all consequences we could face, such as arrest, expulsion, etc. I have never done ANY of these things, and don't know if I can stay in this class. He says that if we don't feel comfortable with this, we may drop the class, and if this is the case, urges us to drop it.

This leads me to my next dilemma. I am passionate about NOTHING. I can't think of ANYTHING I would be willing to fight for. This is starting to REALLY upset me. I know it sounds horrible, but the more I think about it, the more I realize how little I care about issues. I have been so priveleged through out my life, that I have never really experienced any struggles. I just don't know what to do. I could say increased tuition, gay rights, police brutality, racism, equality, are all things I would want to see changed, but are they really things I would actually take a step further and FIGHT for? I really don't think so to be honest. Yes I care about things like my family, but I really can't think of any political issues that make me actually angry enough to fight for. This is upsetting because I really do want to take this class and feel it would be an enormously rewarding experience it in the end, but feel I might have to drop it out of simple reason that I don't care about anything. How to tell this to my professor...

I had this type of assignment too. it didnt mean we had to break any laws. we had to do something that would change our community. my professor used the same words or almost the same words he said to expect to anger people because thats what change on a large scale naturally does. it didnt mean I had to go out and start a riot, war between my neighbors and whole community full of people..

I chose victims rights. I was a sexual abuse survivor and a lesbian. what better than to advocate for victims of sexual abuse and GBLT rights. I contacted the crisis center and told them of my college assignment. they helped me put together a peaceful rally for sexual abuse survivors and GBLT people. I contacted the city government through the county clerks office, and the college to get permits and permission for use of public property (the college campus park) and I found out when the next public meeting was. I met with some survivors and GBLT's in the area. we made up a list of things we would like to see changed, then I went to the city's public meeting and talked with my city's government officials about what they can do for sexual abuse survivors and GBLT's in our area and the changes we had on the list - more education in schools about abuse, and GBLT racism.

we held our survivors of sexual abuse rally on the same night as our city had the "take back the night" walk where those that joined our cause walked the route with "take back the night" and spoke at the "Take back the night" meeting.

our GBLT rally was a different day where we handed out community awareness fliers and gave speeches.

like all controversial things like abuse and sex we had many supporters and yes some people who voiced their anger over our cause, but no one got arrested, no one broke out in voilent fights and no one broke any laws. our city because of our rallys became more aware on these issues and the city government placed proposals out to the public about these issues and our city was one where because they are aware of these issues do things like voting whether to consider marriage between same sex couples. NY is now one of the states where GBLT's in same sex relationships can now marry. I like to think I had a hand in bringing awareness to my city which helped to pave the way for our city to be ready for this state wide vote.

there are lots of things you can do to help your community and make a change... is there a building that you feel would benefit the community by upgrading to an elevator, wider door ways, ...get enough signed on a petition and your city may vote to help that building owner to make these changes.

you can vollunteer with a crisis center, mental health agency that deals with the same issues you have and work with them on how to make your community more aware and ready to make changes..

the crisis center sends us into schools for career day and for public speaking in classes. maybe you can do that.. thats making a change in how students view abuse issues..

there are lots of legal things you can do that wont get you arrested for breaking laws, wont start battles, riots....

[Oxidopamine]

Your professor probably had you write the list of possible consequences to have you see how many different routes there are for political advocacy, many of which are legal and to avoid the illegal ones. If your professor explicitly stated you have to break the law to pass the course, then he/she could be fired.

Have you tried asking other students what their ideas are? There's a decent chance you're not alone in the class and who knows, their ideas may inspire you. Another way you can find ideas is to think of something you don't like at all, for most people this is violence, something sex-related, animal cruelty, etc... . Try thinking of something you like, then imagine it's hindered and try to look something up that relates to it.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by rolan86

I have never had a class like this before. This is a class on political advocacy that I need for my poli-sci major, and it is making me really uncomfortable. The whole idea is that writing essays and taking tests in a class on political advocacy is useless, and that it needs to be done, not just learned. So our professor told us very clearly, if you stay in this class, I expect you to actually change something. Find something you are passionate about, something that makes you angry, and work to change it. He says we should anger people, because that is a necessary part of advocacy. We had to write down all consequences we could face, such as arrest, expulsion, etc. I have never done ANY of these things, and don't know if I can stay in this class. He says that if we don't feel comfortable with this, we may drop the class, and if this is the case, urges us to drop it.

This leads me to my next dilemma. I am passionate about NOTHING. I can't think of ANYTHING I would be willing to fight for. This is starting to REALLY upset me. I know it sounds horrible, but the more I think about it, the more I realize how little I care about issues. I have been so priveleged through out my life, that I have never really experienced any struggles. I just don't know what to do. I could say increased tuition, gay rights, police brutality, racism, equality, are all things I would want to see changed, but are they really things I would actually take a step further and FIGHT for? I really don't think so to be honest. Yes I care about things like my family, but I really can't think of any political issues that make me actually angry enough to fight for. This is upsetting because I really do want to take this class and feel it would be an enormously rewarding experience it in the end, but feel I might have to drop it out of simple reason that I don't care about anything. How to tell this to my professor...

You might try creating a passion just for the class: banning smoking on campus, for example, then be outrageous promoting whatever it is you have chosen. It doesn't matter if you care about the topic.

You become passionate about a cause when you get to know the humanness behind the issues. Perhaps try volunteering to work in a homeless shelter, an after-school program for economically disadvantaged students, a food bank, an adult education center, something the will allow you to actually get to know the people behind the issues. That's where the passion kicks in.

I highly doubt your professor actually suggested you break the law - that would be pretty stupid as if you are training to become a professional, having criminal convictions won't exactly look good on your record. I agree with the above poster in that its important to get to know whats behind a cause - you have to be able to truly connect with those who you'll be advocating, campaigning for the sake of campaining is pointless and you would be better off dropping the class. Is there anything in particular that angers you? Is there something you think is really misguided or being carried out inappropriately? For me theres so many things i want to be involved in improving; the attitude to gay marriage/adoption, the rights of prisoners, domestic violence, the underfunding of schools and other public services, immigration laws etc. I hope you find a cause that speaks to you. All the best.

[rolan86]

Well, maybe not required to actually break the law, but my professor did state very clearly that in this class we WILL be making people angry, as this is the idea of political advocacy. I am panicking right now as I need a potential topic by tomorrow. I really want to take this class, but need a reason to take it. This class will probably make me feel VERY uncomfortable because I have HUGE issues with angering people and dealing with the fact that people will disagree with me and be angered by my actions. I am blanking on things on campus and in the college area that I feel need change. I think this is just because I am being put on the spot. I know there just has to be SOMETHING I am willing to fight for, and want to change. Could you guys maybe help throw some ideas out there to help me get the wheel spinning? Thanks!

[unaluna]

1. I thought you wanted to change the law on whether you could date your therapist.

2. Discrimination against l0ng hair on men - do you have to wear swim caps at the pool and women don't?

3. dry cleaning charge inequities - they charge more for women's clothes than men's. you might meet some chicks

[rolan86]

really? more for women's clothes?

As far as long hair on men, there are no discriminatory laws that I know of.

And for the dating your therapist issue, I would like to change the typical 2 years of waiting rule, to simply you may have contact with your therapist outside of the office, as long as you terminate your sessions. I would be willing to advocate that. Now that would REALLLY piss off the campus health center, and not to mention the entire psychology community. I really don't know if that's something I'd want to fight for in this class. Yes, I am passionate about that matter, but do I really want to get into the personal aspect of it? How would I even go about advocating that?

I am interested in mental health rights, or whatever you would label this subject, but I don't know what change I would think needed to be implemented.

Originally Posted by hankster

1. I thought you wanted to change the law on whether you could date your therapist.

2. Discrimination against l0ng hair on men - do you have to wear swim caps at the pool and women don't?

3. dry cleaning charge inequities - they charge more for women's clothes than men's. you might meet some chicks

[here today]

This probably won’t work for your class, but I would like to see therapists REQUIRED to send out questionnaires to clients after they leave therapy to get their honest opinion about what helped, what didn’t, where the client thinks the therapist may have failed them, etc., etc. They have classes required for their degrees, for heaven’s sake, about how to do this kind of “psychological research” so why aren’t they applying it to their own professional services?

From a political perspective, the “mentally ill” are a generally looked-down-on group and our opinion about our care is clearly not worth being considered by the “expert” professionals.

It’s insane!!! It apparently never entered any professional’s mind that we, as human beings (even if “mentally ill”), might have something useful to offer in terms of improving therapy and its effectiveness.

Who knows? A well-designed, required questionnaire might help incompetent and defensive therapists learn how to take feedback and criticism constructively. Better for everybody than having to wait until they have a complaint lodged against them.

[rolan86]

well with the counseling clinic at my college I was given a survey evaluation form, but this was towards the end of my sessions, not after, so I did not yet no the heart break of being "abandoned" by my therapist forever. I basically gave her a good review. It would have been helpful for it to be afterwards, but at the same time, it's good that it's still during the sessions, so the therapist can have a chance to look at it and take your words into consideration, even if anonymous. I must say though, it was a bit hard to do the survey, as I didn't know really how to evaluate her. Did she help me solve my problems? Heck no. Did she make me feel comforted and at ease? Totally. So I gave her a good review. Also, I wouldn't want to give her a bad review, just out of how much I know it would hurt her career. Yes, I realize that isn't a good reason, but I still did care about her. But back to my choosing a topic... Yeah I still don't know. Still thinking. I have till tomorrow to decide, and if I can't come up with anything when the professor calls on me, I will right then and there in front of the class, be advised to drop the class.

Originally Posted by here today

This probably won’t work for your class, but I would like to see therapists REQUIRED to send out questionnaires to clients after they leave therapy to get their honest opinion about what helped, what didn’t, where the client thinks the therapist may have failed them, etc., etc. They have classes required for their degrees, for heaven’s sake, about how to do this kind of “psychological research” so why aren’t they applying it to their own professional services?

From a political perspective, the “mentally ill” are a generally looked-down-on group and our opinion about our care is clearly not worth being considered by the “expert” professionals.

It’s insane!!! It apparently never entered any professional’s mind that we, as human beings (even if “mentally ill”), might have something useful to offer in terms of improving therapy and its effectiveness.

Who knows? A well-designed, required questionnaire might help incompetent and defensive therapists learn how to take feedback and criticism constructively. Better for everybody than having to wait until they have a complaint lodged against them.