Activism: A Catalyst For Change

Thomas Cushing educates students about the Chicago Climate Exchange, an international market providing companies with incentives to reduce carbon emissions.

Artist Statement

Marco Rosales
Class of 2011
Major: History
Hometown: Glendale, Arizona

Change
We are inclined to focus on the consequences of a failed economic system instead of identifying the structural flaws at the core of market collapse. We understand and accept that the unemployment rate is increasing, that inflation is on the rise, and that thousands are left homeless, hungry, and without hope. We rarely, however, have the courage to look beyond suffering to challenge the system in which we live. In order to halt the onset of the recession and to come out of this trying time stronger than before we must change some fundamental elements of our economic, political, and social system. These photos document a number of individuals who have taken the initiative to enact change in their communities and abroad. By taking an active role in civic engagement these labor organizers, union workers, organization presidents, and activists are setting in motion the process of social change.

The U.S. and other superpower nations are deliberating over what shape the cure for global recession will take. The pressure is on them to fix this mess and to fix it fast. Whatever policy Obama and the U.S. government implement will only provide temporary, if not futile, remedies to this multi-faceted problem. Real change will only be achieved when all aspects of our imperfect system are targeted. This, however, is not only in the hands of our politicians. This crisis eventually will affect all of us and so we must all focus our efforts to fix it. The unemployed, the lowest wage workers, middle class citizens of all professions, students, small and large business owners, politicians/ public servants at all levels of government, and most importantly, children need to challenge the ways in which we function as a society if we want to survive through what seems the end of the American era.

The seeds of reform and restructure have already been sown and can be seen in our everyday lives. People constantly strive for a better world even when there actions don’t reverberate beyond their communities. My images capture these moments. Moments when people are getting to the root of the problem. When union organizers and workers act in solidarity to obtain union recognition they are altering the employer/employee relationship and subsequently realizing more economic freedom for the working class. The recent phenomenon drawing considerable attention to the welfare of our environment offers opportunity to rethink our entire way of living. The sustainability movement is not simply an attempt to save the rain forests and whales anymore. It has transformed before our eyes into a multifaceted solution to the problems of over-consumption, labor exploitation, and peasant displacement in third-world countries. In our communities, the shift to sustainability offers an alternative to our weak service based economy. Sustainability efforts take many forms. From simple acts of recycling and consuming local produce to the broader effort of creating “green” or sustainable jobs. These actions slowly transform our society into one that respects the environment, promotes equality, eliminates exploitation, and ultimately restructures and revamps our economy. Similarly, when the citizens of this country take to the streets in the name of justice and equality, leaders are compelled to listen. Activists provide the fuel for our society to enact real social change. They are prime examples of individuals taking the initiative to enact change in their communities.

Attempts to better our world are seen all around us. We simply need to adjust our perception and we will become aware of the perpetual struggle for progress. My images bring these attempts to light. By highlighting and showcasing small acts of progress, these photos reveal how we all, through active civic engagement, can enact change in our everyday lives.

Activism: A Catalyst For Change

Thursday, May 7, 2009

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