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W.I.L.D. week presents various issues
By Drew Sandholm
 Media Credit: Jason Risberg Nicole Armstrong, Dana Zewtoe, Cory Johnson, Sara Berscheit, Darcee Jendro, McKayla Kroll and Jamie Hudelson gave a presentation about slavery, sweatshops and third world debt Wednesday afternoon in Atwood Lady Slipper room. The presentation was part of W.I.L.D Week, a student-planned and organized week of events about �World Issues/Local Dimensions.� Events continue through Monday.
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As the Minnesota Wild battle in the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, it could be easy to confuse W.I.L.D. week for a more hockey-related theme. However, as an acronym for World Issues/Local Dimensions, the student-planned and organized event is to provide for progressive and radical thought for peace and justice.
The weeklong event covers a lot of issues, including media violence, capitalism, animal rights and feminism, among many other topics.
Organized mainly by SCSU graduate student Julie Andrzejewski and SCSU graduate student Ayako Mochizuki, W.I.L.D. week is sponsored by 10 SCSU organizations and clubs. While events started last Monday all over campus, W.I.L.D week runs through next Monday.
Kicking off the week, third-year SCSU student and KVSC-FM deejay Mike Chouinard cut the most progressive tracks for KVSC-FM 88.1. Spanning tracks from all genres of music, most all tunes carried a radical theme. With a clear blue sky and temperatures reaching the mid-80s, a group quickly gathered in the Mall to listen to the tracks and enjoy the summer-like weather.
The campus premiere of the documentary video "Wrestling with Manhood" took place at the Atwood Memorial Center's (AMC) North Voyageurs room. This video questioned the World Wrestling Federation and its effect on the viewing public. With an audience of approximately 25 viewers, a panel of activist students, faculty, staff and community residents followed the video.
"This is the kind of material that is very disturbing. It is best understood in a group where we get a group of people from every walk of life," said SCSU assistant professor of mass communications and panelist Ilia Rodriguez. "This showing (of "Wrestling with Manhood") will have a great impact because it is hard for students to take in, but having a panel and group to watch and talk about it with was very helpful."
Examining the outcomes of war, a forum titled "Killing to Dying: The Consequences of War" was held at the AMC North Voyageurs room late Monday afternoon. Several panelists presented their opinions on the current military action on Iraq and U.S. foreign policy.
A premiere of "Counting on Democracy" was shown mid-Tuesday at the AMC Sauk room with students leading discussion. The documentary and talk questioned America's democratic society and political policies. Criticizing the 2000 presidential elections, the presenters accused the American government of illegal action in tampering with the vote casting processes.
Titled "America Behind Bars," a near half-dozen panelists raised questions regarding the adequacy of the U.S. prison system. Held at the AMC Watab room, the hour long event began at noon on Tuesday.
Temperatures might have been getting cooler, but things were heating up at the Atwood Mall as a group of SCSU students held a cookout of free veggie burgers. Including an informational table with literature on 'cruelty to animals,' the group provided an alternative to traditional hamburgers.
Inviting passers-by to donate their brand-name clothing, a group of SCSU students attempted to protest clothing made in sweatshops. Located in the Atwood Mall at noon Tuesday, all clothes donated were then donated to nonprofit Catholic Charities. At the table, a petition to stop production of sweatshop apparel was available.
At the same time, a small rally for peace was held. Intended to protest the recent U.S. military action and foreign policies, including Imperialism, the rally featured several student activist speakers. Varying in effectiveness, some presenters appeared prepared, others lacked organization and continuity in their speeches. No more than 50 people attended the event, entitled "Peace: War is Not the Answer."
Following the rally, some students gathered in the Atwood Mall to organize a change in water conditions for the local community. Stressing a shortage in usable water, the group made it clear how imperative water conservation is.
In the week's third premiere of a documentary video, several students showed "Paying the Price: The Killing of Iraqi Children" in the AMC Watab room. The video revealed the alleged misconduct of the U.S. military towards the Middle East, including Iraq over the past 10 years. After the showing, a discussion was held in which the audience was able to voice their comments and complaints.
Yesterday in the AMC South Voyageur room, several presenters held a discussion titled "Media Violence: How Harmful is it?" The panelists attempted to illustrate how harmful images are towards marginalized groups in society and the greater public. Touching on media violence, the discussion questioned the role of media in recent increases in violence nationwide.
In an early-afternoon presentation yesterday, an assembly of speakers spoke on the topic of "Global Poverty: Actions against Slavery, Sweatshops and Third-World Debt." The presentation was intended to illustrate the unfair and unjust treatment of workers in foreign countries due to the authority of large American corporations. This mistreatment, the group said results in third-world debt and increased poverty.
With great time and effort put into the weeklong event, almost every participant feels confident W.I.L.D. week had a positive impact on the campus of SCSU.
"(W.I.L.D. week) was a great success," said fourth-year SCSU education major and panelist McKayla Kroll. "People stopping by, showing interest showed we're having a great impact. You know we just want to create change and we are very passionate about our issues."
Check the Schedule of Events on page 3 for more information on the remaining W.I.L.D. activities planned for today and Monday, or contact Julie Andrzejewski jrandrzejewski@stcloudstate or Ayako Mochizuki [email protected]
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