New Mexico State University’s Black Programs and the American Indian Program hosted a Civic Engagement Build event on Tuesday, March 18 for American Indian Week, inviting students to foster community and learn about becoming more involved with the campus and the Las Cruces community.
Bobbie Green, the president of Doña Ana County’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Betty Corran, a Las Cruces city councilwoman, came out as speakers. Both speakers were present to discuss issues faced by students and ways they can strengthen their voices to fight for change.
“Students have a voice; it’s an untapped resource that we want to take advantage of, and students should take more advantage of,” Green said. “The best way for them to do that, I think, is to hear from those of us who are more vocal, those of us who are civically engaged. City Council member, president of the NAACP, we are vested in [the] community, in social activism and advocacy. I became involved because there was a need, and I saw a void, and I thought I maybe should step in and try to fill that void.”
Green explained the value young voices have and the excitement older community members have when they see young people becoming politically involved. She stressed the value young voices have if they are willing to speak out for themselves.
“I was at a NAACP meeting or convention, and the young people didn’t have a seat at the table,” Green said. “They all got up, and they all spoke up and said, ‘We are members of this organization, we should have a seat up there with the rest of the leadership. Why don’t we have a seat?’ And we all listened to them. And yes, they got what they asked for.”
The speakers encouraged discussion on current issues students face at NMSU and ways to address them. Whether that be by gathering a group of like-minded people to demand change or an individual approaching the city themselves with their concerns.
“One quick thing students could do is come and speak at city council public comments, 1 p.m. on Monday afternoons,” Corran said. “If several students came and spoke about something they saw as important, it would be on our radar differently than it ever is. That’s why it’s really powerful.”
Dylane Carlise, a participant and Miss Native American contestant, came to the build to engage with staff and other students. She talked about her takeaway from the build and how she plans on taking it into her everyday life.
“Definitely not to be afraid to speak out,” Carlisle said. “I know that sometimes it can be hard because, like they said, you can be scared to talk, are intimidated [by] people who are of a higher professional level. But then again, your point of view or perspective is the most powerful one that you can have.”
Due to the low student turnout with only two students coming to the build, the event organizers and speakers expressed their hope to see a better turnout for events like the Civic Engagement Build. They aspire to reach more students and talk to ones they have yet to get a chance to.
“I wish there had been more young people here, more students here, that we could talk to,” Green said. “I’m hoping that as the word gets out about these events, this dialogue, that the students will want to come.
