Anisa Hamid
January 29, 2025
Human beings are one of the most curious creatures on earth. Even in our day-to-day interactions, we demand answers to subconscious questions that are harbored deeper than we’re aware of. All the questions boil down to one primal request; “Who are you in relation to me?” Seeking an answer is why we develop parasocial relationships with influencers. It is why we easily dehumanize politicians. Seeking an answer to this question is seeking asylum. Within us all, there is a desire to be seen and understood. So, when we think about the people who we elect as representatives, that innate desire starts to resemble less of a fascination and becomes more akin to self-preservation.
On Thursday, January 23 at 1:00pm, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a sort of pizza party for engagement in the lobby outside the Learning Lab. Upon arrival, you were encouraged to sign your name on one of their latest petitions, and in turn earned a slice of pizza. A simple, yet efficient marketing tactic brands typically use to boost public favor. However, how efficient was this proposal? and even more pressing of a question, what does this say about the values and priorities of the SGA?
These weekly pizza gatherings are an indirect plea for conditional support; it’s paying for morals. This can unintentionally communicate to the student body that the SGA doesn’t believe it’s possible to have an audience intelligent enough to understand when they are being socially manipulated. Or even worse, that the SGA doesn’t value their cause enough to intentionally craft a respectable audience. Which would begin to oppose the values and mission they have claimed to support. Both integrity and reliability come into question.
I can’t help but wonder, would it be more helpful to garner a target audience? Sure, the SGA ought to represent all students. But surely empowering those new intersectional reaches couldn’t hurt? I also can’t help but question the apparent emphasis on administrative validation, rather than networking between powerful attending leaders of the school. Club presidents, liberal arts majors, or even creative students might be willing to assist with the behind-the-scenes labor. Whether that be through better organization or delegating government responsibilities. If only they knew help was requested and appreciated.
If we ask the average CCP student what SGA is, we get few broad answers. If we ask them what their purpose is, even amongst the closest followers, we wouldn’t have self-assured answers. Truly, they do not care. Unfortunately, people are selfish. They want to know what you can give them that isn’t provided. Like providing a slice of pizza after an intensive lecture, the mission of any advocacy group (if that is essentially what we are to understand them as), is to fulfil the needs of others, before others recognize an unmet need themselves. What students care about is being seen and heard, without having to be spoken to. They do care about you being consistent on promises you deliver. Human beings rarely ask for perfection. Hell, most of us do not even set minimum standards for our intimate relationships. What most of our non-negotiables though, is to be heard. Even if that is all you can provide for the moment being. Maybe SEPTA TransPasses cannot happen tomorrow, but 100 students feeling heard is a better outcome than 100 students disappointed.
Along with providing general invitations for the SGA to reflect, I have had my own questions and statements about the student government. What I’ve noticed personally is that there isn’t much clarity in their mission. The more questions I asked, the less clarity I obtained. In fact, I began to become overwhelmed by roundabout answers, not to mention the additional confusion of receiving various answers at separate times by different people. I suppose that could be a deterrent for anyone who genuinely expresses interest in committing to the SGA as a supporter or potential member. I am beginning to feel like not only might it be helpful to change the goal post, but maybe the goal, or at least become more specific. In addition to this, after the group dispersed, volunteer pizza eaters began to cause chaos amongst themselves after the meeting was over. So, if all theories are false, we have evidence that the audience wasn’t (or shouldn’t) be who we’d want as active members.
I do believe what they are doing is both well-meaning and has worked some. A group of youth, determined to be critical of authorities is what this world is missing right now. They are all passionate, dedicated, and I have heard great personal stories about members of the SGA (especially 2nd Vice President Jar), during nearly every encounter on campus. Maybe some good publicity is all it takes to get this ship sailing smoother, and all that means is allowing yourself, and your cause, to be expressed more concisely and precisely.
The Independent 
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