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I am writing in response to Lia Manning’s article from last week “Waiting on the World to Change.” I salute Manning’s efforts in posing the question: “Why not do something to make this world a little bit better right now?” as opposed to waiting for others to change it for us. I totally support Manning’s list of suggestions from donating blood to donating to charities. It takes a variety of tactics to make change.

However, I think a better tactic is often ignored due to disempowerment. I feel like too often people seem to think that the only way they can change things is simply to vote and donate money. I would argue that everyone has a voice in reforming society. Throwing money on a problem may help it, but it does not change the root of the problem. Let’s get down to the problems and change the system that implements them.

As a member of Students For a Democratic Society (SDS), I feel that we are doing just that. (Let it be known that SDS is a nonpartisan group that supports democracy specifically, and not the Democratic party). We support democracy by trying to implement democratic processes within society and supporting equality and justice.

I am very excited to say that this semester we have four solid committees that are committed to change. The Financial Committee is working right now to get a textbook lending system implemented at UWM like the ones so many other UW schools have. This would allow students to rent books instead of having to pay for all of them. Students would still be given the option to buy them at the end of the semester. This would reduce student debt.

The Free, Fair, and Sustainable Committee is currently working on getting sweatshop made materials out of the UWM Bookstore. They are also working on getting more local produce supplied to students by ordering market baskets through Growing Power. Another goal is to get fair trade coffee in the Grind. This would change consumer ethics in our campus community.

The University Committee is overseeing the often questionable activities of the Student Association. There is also talk of working on a divestment campaign to insure that student money is not going to military funding. This would assure students’ money is being distributed in fair processes.

There is also the Anti-War Committee, which is dedicated to growing awareness and making a presence for anti-war sentiment. They are working to continue the Iraq Moratorium, creating a dorm movie series and working with groups like IVAW (Iraq Vets Against the War). This would educate the public about the atrocities and costs of war.

In addition, SDS brings a number of speakers to campus and has a monthly movie series each semester to educate the public on various issues. Upcoming events include hosting activist Michael Albert who will speak on creating a better world in regards to race, gender, power and class, and the pursuit of equity, diversity, solidarity and self-management (Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. in the Union Ballroom). SDS is also showing the movie “The 11th Hour,” which deals with environmental issues. The screening will be part of our movie series and will take place Monday Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge.

Many of these goals and actions seem simple, but they just need a lot more student support and inertia. None of these activities are planned to change the world in one day, but we believe in thinking globally and acting locally to affect change and to implement real influence on how the world work.

If you are interested in making this change to our campus and our world, please consider coming to a meeting. We meet Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Union.

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