Illustration by Camilia Garcia
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That inspiring quote comes from Margaret Mead. She is an American cultural anthropologist and author. And I think that saying carries more weight than all the water in Lake Mead.
After all, “if a small group of thoughtful committed citizens” can yield a meaningful outcome, then just think what a large group can do! Montclair State University is the perfect place for students to present a powerful voice in unison.
The campus brings together thousands of students; many of whom share the same concerns. Recently, I went around the Student Center quad asking collegiates what issues are on their minds.
Unsurprisingly, just about every individual mentioned the two time-tested troubles: tuition and parking. As a tested university student, I could see these two topics coming like the sun rising. However, not every person I asked freely replied that group action is the best avenue for remedy. Far from it.
To me, that is telling. When you go it alone, that is like trying to shed light on a problem when the sun is setting. There is strength in numbers, and a solitary voice is no match for a concerted chorus.
Let’s look at this truism through another lens. Consider the following statement attributed to Debasish Mridha, a Bangladeshi-American neurologist, author and philosopher. “Alone, you’re a single drop; together, we can form a mighty ocean.” A ‘mighty ocean” is guaranteed to make waves. That oceanic force multiplier increases the chance that the matter at hand will become water under the bridge.
I think Mridha’s gem of wisdom sets a shining example for university students. There is no shortage of challenges affecting student life in a huge university like Montclair State. Some mentioned campus concerns are high commuter meal plan prices, healthier student dining meals and more recruitment fairs for student organizations.
The German author Gunter Grass once stated, “The job of citizen is to keep his (or her) mouth open.” Grass is spot-on with that observation. After all, silence only guarantees the continuance of the status quo. I think Grass would agree that many citizens with open mouths creates a lot more impetus for progress. After all, nothing quite has the momentum of a grass-roots movement (pun not intended).
