Environmentalists shouldn't hassle debt-ridden students
(Published
in The Daily Lobo, November 16, 2007)
I’m
sick and tired of constantly being asked if I have a moment to spare
for the environment by the people with clipboards who stand around campus
all day long. No, I don’t have any money for you, so buzz off.
Everyday I am bombarded by them, desperately trying to get me to donate
money to them. The other day one of them followed me to class, pressuring
me with questions. Today when my friends and I walked by one of those
guys and told them that we didn’t have any money, he shouted back
at us, “You guys suck.”
Maybe we do suck for not donating $10 a month to the environment, but
we’re also poor college students with low incomes and bills to
pay. It’s only going to worsen the situation for that guy by him
being hostile toward us. Nor do they know whether we’re helping
the environment in our own ways. I recycle and ride my bike on a regular
basis. Does that not count?
They want us to sign their forms and give them money, but they can’t
be nice and courteous to us. Can they blame students for not wanting
to give out money? How many of us actually have $10 to spare? Most of
my friends are battling with debt and don’t have a single dollar
to spare.
If these people are going to be permitted to be on campus, they need
to have better etiquette. Mr. Shove-n-stuff will never get any money
from anyone with an attitude like that.
|