Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow (Or the Day After)

After months of snow, ice, slush, killer winds, and frost-bite temperatures, spring has finally come to town.

Yahoo!  Time to enjoy the May sunshine, watch the flowers come up, and dream of sand dunes and sea gulls.

But before we all start waxing down our surfboards, let's remember that the arrival of nice weather doesn't mean we can put our brains on hold and stop thinking about the world (which as you've probably noticed is in pretty sorry shape these days).  Wars, environmental catastrophes, racial tensions, sexism, economic inequality, poverty, and violence know no season.  Rain or shine, hot or cold, Earth continues to be a planet in crisis.

Which is why all of us, even while enjoying blue skies and balmy temperatures, must continue to pay attention to what's happening in our midst.

Hopefully you got to at least a few of the many programs on social and political issues that NCC sponsored this semester.  They addressed a range of important issues, everything from dealing with global food shortages and containing the Ebola epidemic to bridging America's racial divide and stopping terrorists from wreaking havoc on the world.  Serious subjects to be sure, but ones that clearly deserve our attention.

This week brings even more to ponder. On Thursday, May 7 at club hour, there'll be two programs at NCC on topics that are important to us all.

First, the Women Students Association is holding a Speak Out--a student-led discussion--on relationship violence (11:30 a.m., Nassau Hall, Rm. 222).  Participants can share their thoughts on the telltale signs of a violent relationship (which aren't always clear at first) and discuss actions students can take if they feel they're in such a situation.  Even if you're not in a threatening relationship yourself, listening to others will be educational.

At the same time, in the College Center (Rms. 252-253), NCC's Campus Services Committee is sponsoring a presentation on another critical topic: Fracking.  As you may know, fracking is short for hydraulic fracturing, a process that involves drilling deeply into the earth for natural gas reserves. While fracking has its supporters, who tout its economic advantages, it also has its critics, who fear that the process could contaminate water supplies and cause other environmental problems. At Thursday's program, you'll learn more--and maybe make up your own mind.

That's not all that's ahead. On Tuesday, May 12, the Student Government Association is hosting a discussion (11:30 a.m., College Center, Multipurpose Room) on the state of higher education, including recent developments here at NCC.  If you haven't noticed, the winds of change are blowing across college campuses these days, and not everyone thinks what's emerging is all good.  Drop by the CCB at club hour and you'll find out what's happening, how it could impact your education, and what you can do about it.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, can we still enjoy the spring?  Of course--there's no other season quite so innocent and idyllic, no other time so full of promise and possibility.  But while we're taking in these great days, let's not lose sight of the big picture.  Now more than ever, the world needs alert, aware, thoughtful young people--folks like you.  No time to mentally check out . . .