ERIKETA COST
Life and Arts Editor
Cameron Kasky’s convocation speech involved a lot of self-care advice, thoughts on activism and references to his African American history class.
The Marjory-Stoneman Douglas shooting changed his life. He and his younger brothers survived one of the most tragic mass school shootings in US history, and he was at just 18 years old.
Kasky seems to have been through a lot and learned more than I could ever imagine an 18 year old to go through.
As President Hefner put it, the convocation theme Be The Change is all about engaging in conversation and speaking about topics that may be uncomfortable.
Kasky opened up his speech with complete honesty regarding this — all his efforts towards activism, change and uncomfortable conversations have not always treated him well.
“The question becomes: can you continue to do this [activism] without burning out,” he said.
Sometimes the work can be so heavy and the pressure so high, that one loses touch with the self.
“I disconnected from who I was,” said Kasky, as he mentioned falling down a challenging road dealing with bipolar disorder.
The media doesn’t help with this disconnect, either.
“The coverage is a performance. It’s the same white moms being interviewed … and everyone says they’re sending ‘thoughts and prayers,’” he said.
The spotlight on his school made him want to rewrite this script and enforce more change and action, rather than just thoughts and prayers.
“Everyone was going to be looking, so what if we could use the opportunity to be the change?” he said.
But the change is more than just tweeting and talk.
Kasky introduced a made-up term “slactivism.” It’s when you simply use hashtags and Twitter as your “activism” platforms. Not that those are bad, but they won’t get you far.
So where can you start with true activism? By educating yourself.
“People don’t do a simple Google search of their own state’s gun control laws before marching,” said Kasky. “Use resources … you have to understand what it is you are fighting for. Know your state’s gun laws.”
Being aware of your surroundings is also key to change. Especially if you want to be an educator.
“It’s all of our jobs to know where we are, who is entering, who is leaving … keep an eye out for anything suspicious,” said Kasky. “Watch for patterns, and report anything suspicious. A lot of shooters get reports saying ‘we really thought he’d be a shooter.”
Nikolas Cruz was nicknamed the “school shooter” before he ended up being one. More than that, he often wrote obscenities and slurs in school desks, brought knives and bullets to school and bullied other students.
“The one kid who everyone said would be violent, acted violently. He got reported, and the school did nothing,” said Kasky.
It seems like this is what Kasky means by slacktivism. People tweet, pray and speak about how they want things to change. But it all comes down to the administration in these schools all over the country. Students need to be kept a close eye on.
Especially if they are bringing bullets and knives to school.
Kasky ended his speech emphasizing the importance of taking care of yourself.
Try not to lose sense of your identity through all the heaviness of it all.
“I learned about this phrase ‘dual consciousness’ in my African American studies course,” said Kasky.
Basically, it refers to two perceptions of the self: how you view yourself, and how society views you.
You know yourself better than anyone else. Stay true to yourself, and don’t let another person’s opinion of you define or distract you from what is true.
“Being underestimated is an incredible tool. You can’t let someone’s opinion of you change your opinion of yourself,” he said. “Don’t let others paint the picture that is you.”
The lecture was sponsored by the Maytum Distinguished Lecture Endowment and the Williams Visiting Professorship Endowment, established through the Fredonia College Foundation.