10 Rampage
Juan Williams warns
News
FCC of the ‘sleeping pill’ By Brandon Alexander Rampage Reporter Fox News and National Public Radio political analyst Juan Williams addressed the campus of Fresno City College on Thursday, bringing with him conviction and a clear vision for America’s youth. “Don’t let them sell you the sleeping pill,” was the main message as Williams delivered an inspiring and spiritual speech titled “America Picks a President.” For a very long time, according to Williams, voting was the very last thing on the minds of young adults in America. As a result, American youth have historically been ignored during presidential campaigns. In the wake of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, according to the Center for Research and Information on Civic Learning and Engagement, Photos by Ramiro Gudino many more youth are participating Juan Williams fields questions. in the political process. “There are people out there that try to sell you a sleeping pill and tell you that you they’re about to make a difference.” Williams made the case that the older can’t make a difference,” he said. generation is the one that takes action such Williams attempted to cure the “my as watching the news, reading it, giving vote doesn’t count” syndrome that many money to political campaigns and getting American youth seem to have, saying that involved in the political process. This means people who get involved in the political that their issues are the issues, and that those process and people who vote do in fact make of the youth and young adults have been a difference. secondary. “You’d better believe that we “You don’t vote,” explained Wilwouldn’t have the choice between Barack liams, “so politicians don’t have to pay Obama and Senator McCain if it were attention.” simply a matter of leaving it up to the old Williams said emphatically, “It’s political establishment in this country,” said your decision, your mistake.” Williams to the crowd. FCC student Brian Errington, 19, In a press conference held shortly who attended the speech, said he was esbefore the speech, Williams also pointed pecially touched by Williams’ words. “I out that the bulk of Obama’s support in the felt really bad after the speech was over,” Democratic primaries came from young Errington admitted, “I’ve definitely got to white people. This was during a time when go get registered!” Obama’s “Blackness” was being questioned Williams also addressed the women throughout the African tAmerican comin attendance pointing out that there has munity. been an incredible shift in political power and asked them to pay attention to the fact that campaigns have been targeting networks and shows with large female audiences. “Women who get out and vote are going to determine the outcome of this election,” said Williams. Williams also spoke of his involvement with Nelson Mandela and highlighted Mandela’s accomplishments telling students, “I hope that you don’t swallow the sleeping pill that not only steals your energy, but steals your potential to make a difference and to be a voice in this Juan Williams inspires FCC students. election.” Williams discussed the Montgomery Williams even credited Obama’s bus boycott of the ‘50s, and the example of candidacy largely to the involvement of Rosa Parks and the women’s political counAmerican youth. “If it weren’t for young cil saying, “People who come together and people who really identified with his ideals organize, who realize their own power are and have become a part of his campaign, the ones who make a difference.” Barack Obama would not be the Democratic Williams even invoked the memory party nominee.” of the late Dr. Martin Luther King saying Throughout his speech, Williams “The power that exists when we come urged students to pay attention to the issues together brings the spirit of Dr. King to and think of themselves in reference to the life.” election. He stressed that we’re at a pivotal Williams delivered a powerful and point in history and that politics is a “hard moving speech. His words will undoubtedly ball game.” put politics and the election on the minds of “You have the potential to be agents those who heard them. “This is much more of change starting with this election,” Wilthan a race between two individuals; it’s reliams told those students in attendance, “You ally a map of who we are as Americans.” have to be the kind of people that know
October 15, 2008