Student leaders who blackball student advocates

I am an individual who likes to become involved in organizations that are primarily focused on progressive change. Whenever I commit myself to something, I like to believe that I am dedicated 100 percent to helping others in whatever way I can.

Recently, I sided against one of the organizations I am a member of because I felt that it was not doing its job of being a representation of the student body. What bothered me was that these members, or "student leaders" as some like to dub themselves, were not actively trying their best to help the student body in a way most beneficial to them.

Issues that students have are being ignored and unanswered, and for those brave enough to try to step out of the status quo, it seems as though they are being "blackballed" by their peers. As a result of my going against the grain and fighting to help educate Prairie View voters on the issues at hand on the referendum, it seemed that my fellow leaders were becoming extremely disappointed in me and my actions. Is it fair to want me out of an organization because I'm "leaking" information to the student body that pertains to them, or is it that I'm leaking something that was intended to take advantage of the students? I can't seem to understand how a STUDENT organization can continue without communicating with the STUDENTS.

It is embarrassing that members of the same organization can walk around and deliver information that is completely different from one another because they are not talking among themselves. How can students be expected to do their civic responsibility and keep up with things if they are being poorly educated on important issues?

Many of "those other" leaders fail to possess a sense of loyalty to their peers. How effective can you be as a leader if during your tenure in whatever position you hold you worry more about yourself and others like you rather than the majority of those you represent?

The problem with our student leaders is that most of them are so concerned with self. They are so committed to benefiting from everything and sadly they forget the true reason they hold such positions or titles. They are the STUDENT LEADERS, yet they devote their time and energy to things that don't matter. These people are taking advantage of the people who trust them to fight for what's best for the general student body. Instead of seeking things within the school system to help students whether it be financial or academic. They get caught up in being puppets for the administration.

I can no longer get angry with the administration or staff of Prairie View A&M because they are not to blame. Their job is to provide us with an education and they are doing just that. Our student representatives are supposed to be helping us gain the most out of everything else. Instead, they believe that it is more important to advocate things students really don't need or care about.

The leaders of the university often confuse the term elite with elitist. To be a member of the elite means to be a part of a select number of people representing a larger number. You can compare this to W.E.B. DuBois' talented tenth theory; there will always be leaders who are thrust ahead of the pack because of natural ability and drive. What most importantly makes them leaders, however, is their ability to prepare for and communicate to those they lead. Elitists; I believe is how most of our "student leaders" behave. They act as though they are superior and deserve favored treatment. What's even worse is that most of them treat the "average" student as either inferior or as the child in a parent-child relationship who needs someone to take care of things for them without their opinions being considered. Granted they were elected to serve as a voice but that does not dismiss their responsibility to accurately voice the opinions of those who elected them. Once one obtains a position, their opinion is no longer THEIR opinion; it becomes an opinion based on a collective people. Voters, I think we should also take responsibility for the fact that we elected people who have a knack for sounding good but working poorly.

Therefore, I think that the student leaders of the university should first analyze themselves and see how they are failing the students before criticizing those who are actually advocating for them. Maybe if they stepped up their game others wouldn't have to make them look bad.

--Whitney Harris