USC Students Learn About Community Involvement

USC students, faculty and staff, elected officials and community leaders will talk about ways that young people can effect change in communities through involvement in the political process.

The event, titled “Engage L.A.,” is part of the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement, which bands together 20 universities across the country to increase young people’s interest in electoral politics, promote civic education and encourage careers in public service. USC is the only participating university on the West Coast. Other participants include Harvard’s Institute of Politics, which started the campaign, and Tufts University.

Panel discussions will focus on the role volunteer efforts, education, politics and public policy play in communities. Keynote speaker is Assemblyman Mark Ridley Thomas. Other participants will include “Sweet” Alice Harris, of Concerned Parents for Watts; Damon Azali, of the Bus Riders’ Union (click here for the opposing view on the Bus Riders' Union); and representatives of other groups such as the African Millennium Foundation and Blazers Youth Center.

The event is Monday, Sept. 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at USC University Park Campus, Von Kleinsmid Center, courtyard. Enter campus through Gate 3 at Figueroa Street and USC McCarthy Way. Parking is free with a press pass.

Events will be held at 20 participating colleges and universities as part of “Political Awareness Day.”

One question - how come there are no conservatives or Republicans speaking? It is "Political Awareness Day," not Liberal Awareness Day. Oh, I forgot, its a college campus. If you are a conservative, Republican or even moderate college student and you are concerned about extreme leftist bias on college campus - with no room for equal time for opposing viewpoints - check out Students for Academic Freedom. Their goal is not to do the same thing as the leftist professors and shove conservatism down people's throats, but to create an open environment on the college campus where all opinions can be safely expressed. Sadly, in many college campuses, this is not the case.