When I worked at the Rocky Mountain Collegian back in the day, I spent two years with the opinion desk writing a column I called ‘Bridging the Gap.’ In those days, I was considered a ‘non-traditional’ student because I was older than the average person in most of my classes. In fact, I was closer in age to some of my professors than other students.

The faculty advisor of the paper thought I could bring a unique perspective to the opinion page for several reasons: 1. My age; 2. I’m a veteran who spent time in more than one country; and 3. I’m a lesbian. So, I spent two years with a regular slot on the editorial pages.

Because of that gig, I was also asked to contribute to the local daily, the Fort Collins Coloraoan. My last semester, I shared a weekly slot with other college editorial columnists in which we each contributed one column a month. We had varying opinions of life as we were all in different age groups. It was an interesting contrast.

At the end of the semester, the graduating seniors had the opportunity to write a farewell column to the Collegian and the student body. Here’s mine.

Writing columns gave a chance to raise controversy, promote dialogue

Jae offers students advice about getting involved with a cause, not being afraid, and the effect critical letters have on columnists

This is it, the last week of classes for the Fall 1998 semester. As finals close in on us, my mind turns toward the days after finals and graduation.

In 11 days, I graduate. It’s been an interesting four years. It’s been tough, but rewarding. I’ve put many social occasions on hold to stay home and complete that pesky homework assignment due Monday. I’ve sat in front of my computer many a Sunday afternoon writing this column.

Those columns that generated heated discussion are the ones I cherish the most. Why? Because, with those columns, I fulfilled my purpose by making you think.

When I started writing this column for the Rocky Mountain Collegian two years ago, I wanted to write about those things that were controversial and thought-provoking. I didn’t always succeed, but I hope you at lease read what I wrote and thought about it. The times I did succeed were wonderful. I liked picking up the paper the next day and reading the editorials telling me I was wrong or full of it. Some of those letters even made me step back and rethink my perspective.

Those were the columns that made me realize there are still some of you out there not afraid to get involved. And that’s been my point all along.

We live in an apathetic society. My goal the last two years has been to shake you out of that apathy. I hope I succeeded.

My hope is that you take what I’ve given you over the last two years and apply it to your own lives. Think about the controversial topics. Step into the fray and fight for your rights, because nobody else will. Don’t just sit around and commiserate about what’s wrong with the country today. Go out and do something about it.

The intent of our founding fathers when they drafted the First Amendment was to open the marketplace of ideas and encourage public debate on the issues that affect us all. It’s up to you to stand up and let our congress-critters know exactly what we want and need.

And it’s up to us to get into the voting booth every election and vote them out of office when they haven’t lived up to our expectations. The voting booth is one way of speaking up.

Make the political personal, and the personal political. There are still topics out there that make my blood boil.

But my time here is at an end and I must leave those topics to my successor, whoever that may be.

I don’t intend to stop writing about the issues. I’ve learned that by remaining silent on those issues that you care about the most, you give tacit agreement to those who disagree with you.

Get involved.

Write letters to the editor.

Stand up and let your voice be heard.

It’s the only way you know for sure that someone is standing up for your rights.

Good luck with your studies. I’m off to the working world.

~~

I spent the years since graduation advancing my Tech Comm career. That gig lasted until a bigger corporate fish ate the smaller company. After that, the business model changed to be less employee-focused and more profit-focused. Quality control fell off and I found it harder and harder to comply with the relaxed standards, pushes for sloppy release, and rework caused by shortcuts. When I dared to discuss the issues, I was branded a trouble-maker and eventually laid off. Since then, this blog has kept me from losing my mind. I also remain politically active, though not as much on the front lines as I used to be.

The message of this column hasn’t changed since I graduated: Fight for your rights, because nobody else will.