As an activist myself, I have to issue this pseudo-apology. After reading your letter, Sarah, I have confusing sentiments. On the one hand, my long-held impatience with the apathy on the Claremont campuses affects my opinion, but on the other hand I am reminded that you and your friend are not "the enemy." Granted, in any situation where someone’s cause is at stake, one has to be aggressive, but when the hearts and minds of your greatest potential allies (in this case, the students) are at stake, why waste your energy by alienating yourself from your fellow students.

I agree that the person who accosted you in the dining hall went too far. I do not agree that people should not be allowed to solicit their fellow students for signatures and such, but I cannot see such demanding behavior as you describe as useful in any way. The greatest movers and shakers in the world knew when to be humble: Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa. We do not win friends by telling them they are our friends, we ask them to be our friends–and there is no harm in asking.

I am sorry for your troubles and I hope this does not convince you that all activists on campus are like this. I personally think one of the greatest goals for campus activism would be to give it a sense of pride and respect that the causes it works for deserve.

Sincerely,

Andrew Cvitanovich ‘02