I didn't finish reading it, but it saddens me that people did not care enough for people like Nilda. She says her story and I relate to it so much. Without my father who came from Columbia with nothing, I would be nothing. He worked so hard and continues to work so hard to provide for his family and I don't think I would be where I am today if he had died and hadn't provided for me. I would be another Nilda struggling to pay for college. Education is a Human right and should be free. Here's something I've been struggling with however. It is free to take out books from the public library so anyone can educate themself for free. I'm sure there are people who didn't go to college who are more well-educated than people who have and it pains me that that education goes to waste because they didn't have the money to pay for a piece of paper that says they are educated. Kinda like in good will hunting where will didn't go to college but he proved he was more intelligent than the college student in the bar scene. That doesn't mean I don't think college is valuable, it certainly provides more opportunity to be a more educated person. I don't know where I'm going with this, but I felt like bringing the topic up.

ok guys, it's late and i just finished reading the piece, i will try to respond as best i can.

I thought it started off really strong, and the way the piece talked about how personally the tuition hikes affected many of the students was really powerful. I think it underscores the nature of many movements of oppressed people, where ppl are really fighting for themselves and their right to exist. A lot of the "snapshots" of the individual students really drove this point home. One critique i have of the piece is that i think it has excess information and could have been more concise. I guess printing it out and highlighting what i thought were the most important parts would make it easier to digest.

Anyway, as Iana pointed out, a big issue in this struggle was finding a balance between holding the buildings and not alienating people or failing to connect with them. The way blockaders made supporters wait a long time in the cold to get in really showed how this distrust can break down a movement. As the author pointed out, the activists should have found more ways for other students and supporters to get involved. I think that also brings up the issue of people trying to balance their activism with their responsibilities to make a living, study, and be a part of a community. Many times these efforts seem to conflict with each other, it makes it hard for people to get involved. I remember when we were talking about supporting JREC last year i brought up the idea of students receiving credit for their involvement in saving their school, as a way to find common ground between these two seemingly different pursuits. I guess in the case of the CUNY struggle the teach-ins were an attempt to combine activism with education.

I want to respond to what Liz said about the validity of a non traditional education such as studying at the public library. I think this is a completely legit way to learn and believe really strongly that the educations we make for ourselves are as good or better that being matriculated through someone else's idea of what and how we should learn. I think that's what misled youth is all about, it's definitely what i'm all about.

Also, responding to what iana said about "so far in my experience the best outreach i'e done and seen done has been between people who already know each other."

i agree with this and share the same experience. I think in many cases it's better to start by forming really tight connections with a small group of ppl, rather than trying to reach a bunch of ppl in a more impersonal way. I also see the value in printed materials though. I've met a number of people from all over the country who've read and been inspired by misled youth's zine, even some who photocopy and redistribute it. I guess having both is best. As far as making materials that people don't toss out, i think being really creative with both the visuals and the writing is imperative. And being down to earth too, nobody wants to be preached at, they want to know why the issue is relevant to them personally. Nice artwork keeps people from throwing the material away, if it looks good they might hang on to it. Also explaining how to get involved and including contact info is important if you want ppl to do more than just read the thing.

that's my 2 cents

sarah