Get involved!
Some time ago, I spoke at UC Merced about our Asset-Based Community Development work, and we had a good conversation about how participatory research can help the UC come up with better answers to the ills of this world. It is the process of getting community members engaged in the
solution. It is one thing to look at a problem as an outsider and come up with solutions; it is another
thing when the people who have to live with the problem get to be part of coming up with the solutions. Too many times, have we come into a community and diagnosed the problem, determined a solution,
and then tried to implement it without even asking the people.
I told the students that a demonstration against issues is one thing; doing something about it is a totally different thing. While demonstrations are one way to bring attention to a situation, doing something
about the situation is an effective way to come up with answers. When a student sees inequality around
race, mentor a child of color to help them succeed. If you demonstrate against abortion, you need to be committed to walking with the mom and baby for the next 18 years. If you don't think there are enough
youth activities in town, join a city parks commission that helps direct the course, volunteer to become a
coach, invite the neighbor's kids to your pool, or ask your church to open the gym and staff it. If you wonder why non-profits don't do more, join their board, donate, and invest your knowledge into them. If you are frustrated with politics, why not have conversations with people from the opposite party just
to learn more without getting frustrated?
There is so much we can do to change the course of the future, to ensure that people's voices are heard, and to take our part in changing our world. Yes, demonstrate to highlight an issue's importance, but then do something!
The UC students have many opportunities to engage with the community, and each one of us should also do something to make Merced a better place to live.