Sydney Life

More than once I’ve witnessed a lacklustre showing at a uni protest and thought wistfully of the so-called golden years of collective action, when everyone had a social conscience (or perhaps just the looming spectre of mutually assured destruction is just a sexier issue than Voluntary Student Unionism, I don’t know). Yesterday's Pro-Choice protest also made me somewhat reflective, but for a different reason. It’s not that people don’t care about this particular issue. Not at all. It’s just that both sides have such strong beliefs, and such solid reasons (in their own convictions, at least) for these beliefs, that any interaction between the two inevitably reaches stalemate.

A lunchtime public address, presented at the University of Sydney, regarding the desirability of closing Australian abortion clinics. Gee, I can’t imagine why on earth that would possibly lead to a student protest. A loose circle of about a hundred students assembled today outside the Chemistry building. Some held pro-choice signs, others were armed with wire coathangers evoking images of backyard abortion horror stories.

It was cause for small celebration when word came through that the speaker had been moved to, you guessed it, the University Chapel of the Resurrection on City Road. After a democratic (arguably unnecessary and time wasting, given the intentions of the people present) vote to make sure we were all down with the revolutionary urge, we marched to the chapel to stick it to The Man.

A Pro-Choice vs Pro-Life rally is always going to be heated, just like the debate itself. Those who believe women must fundamentally be able to exercise their reproductive rights are never going to change their view. Similarly, Pro-Lifers (and I can’t help but note that they really need a name change) are seldom likely to wake up one day and say “Oh wait, maybe it’s not really killing, after all.” I do not mean to make light of the issue in any way; on the contrary, it is an issue very close to my heart. However, this rally only cemented in my mind the fact that some ideological debates are never going to be resolved:

The Catholics took their side, up against the railings of the chapel, which was by now firmly locked to keep the rabble out. The rabble (i.e. the protesters) took their side.

The students had their ubiquitous megaphone, so they were heard. All the time. And they certainly weren’t going to let the other guys play with it.

“Get your rosaries off our ovaries!”

The Catholic representatives in this spectacle yelled to be heard, faces reddening, spittle forming at the corners of their mouths. Got their apoplexy on, old school. Possibly the most confronting was one middle aged fellow, who dangled his crucifix for the camera, danced and clapped to the students’ chants, saying “I can’t change your minds, so I’m just here to enjoy myself. I’m having fun! This is fun!” A somewhat perplexing reaction to the issue, but there you have it.

Finally someone on the other team (because it was well and truly reaching game status by this stage) suggested we “take it to the lecture theatre” to discuss the issue like rational adults. Well mate, that was the idea, until the supposedly public address was moved to the sanctuary of the Catholic Church. Nothing like preaching to the converted.

And so, as all things must come to an end, the gathering eventually dispersed. As I left, I couldn’t help thinking what each side must have been reflecting upon. I imagined students, heading to an afternoon tutorial or chilling at the pub, thinking, “Those crazy Catholics....”

And the Catholics, all seven of them, maybe went upstairs and listened to the mystery speaker tell them things they already believed with all their conviction, reclined in their leather chairs with a pre-dinner snifter of port and said to themselves: “Those crazy students. God Bless.”

Comments

Wow! An excellent account and a spot on opinion. Well done Cath, love your work! :-)

Posted by: Ghassan | August 19, 2006 10:52 PM

hi! this comment is actually unrelated to your entry, sorry, but i'm a year twelve student and just wanted to ask someone who actually goes to usyd and is doign an arts degree: what kind of job can you get with it? because i would like to become a journalist one day, maybe, but right now i just want to keep learning about things im interested in (mainly english, history, biology), and everyone tells me that doing that will mean unemployment. thanks for reading, any comments/advice/pearls of wisdom greatly appreciated :D
-Hum

Posted by: humyara | August 20, 2006 09:20 AM

Anyone of you guys watch Theatresports at Manning?? They have an awesome impro show and they have a WEBSITE/BLOG or something.

Check it out.

http://www.megadave.com/theatresports/

Posted by: Lenny | August 20, 2006 11:27 PM

Hi Humyara,

You and I have a lot in common! My family and friends thought I was crazy with a capital C for choosing to switch to Arts, rather than Arts (Media and Communications.)

But I think that uni is a time for you to study EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. It's not like high school, where you're there to study a limited number of subjects, with a view to completing the HSC. Your three or four years at uni should be committed to studying anything you want. So, if like Alex, you are passionate about architecture, you can devote your time to that. If you're committed to changing the world, one bigot at a time (like Ghassan!) you can study Law, or Sociology, or Government and International Relations. And if, like me, you want to research twentieth century radical student movements, you can study History.

The point is, uni is more than securing a job. Many of my friends graduated last year and have since found full-time jobs. I am constantly amazed at how many of them have taken a great big slice of humble pie and admitted that they were perhaps a little too hasty to choose 'trendy' degrees which they thought would land them fantastic jobs immediately. The fact is, employers want graduates who are skilled in many areas; and often, it's advantageous to have graduates who are 'clean slates' - they can be trained in a manner specific to a company. This is why employers are impressed by graduates who succeed in generalist degrees, like Arts, Science and Commerce.

It's commonsense that you will do better in a degree that you actually enjoy doing. If I had followed the path my Year 12 teacher suggested to me (and become an English teacher) I don't think I would have performed very well, because it's not something I want to do. If you are passionate about something, I would encourage you to do that. You are far too young to forsake your dreams!

If you are interested in becoming a journalist, the best head-start you can give yourself is by actually writing and submitting your stories to magazines, newspapers and online productions. Having a degree specifically in 'journalism' is becoming less and less relevant. Having a full CV and portfolio is far more important, in terms of actually getting a job as a journalist. You can start by writing for your local paper, or a student publication. At Sydney Uni, we have two great regular publications: Honi Soit and The Bull.

Remember that your parents and friends are only looking out for you. It's good to keep what they are saying in mind, but ultimately, it's your choice. You need to be comfortable with your degree: you're here for at least 3 years, you may as well enjoy it!

Cheers (and many thanks for letting me ramble about my favourite topic in the world!)

Lauren xo

Posted by: Lauren | August 21, 2006 10:13 AM

Hum,

Lauren is spot on, as usual :)

One thing I would add is this. If you want to be a journalist, that's awesome. And one of the best things you can do to prepare to be a journalist (apart from learning the mechanics of writing well) is to get informed. Get a good general knowledge base (think history, literature, philosophy) and learn how to be inquisitive, not to take things at face value, and how to stand up for your beliefs while still being open to the possibility of changing them.

Best place I know to do that? University, hands down.

Do what you love. Some of the most wonderful people I know are those who have opted out of the "career ladder" myth.

Posted by: Cath | August 21, 2006 11:57 AM

" Get a good general knowledge base (think history, literature, philosophy) "

and science. There's a professional journalist commenting over at labrats (Weathergirl) who you should talk to.

Posted by: Black Knight | August 21, 2006 09:39 PM

hah, I hate autofill ;)

That's the wrong URL under my name in my previous comment. . .

Posted by: Black Knight | August 22, 2006 10:32 AM

thanks for all the help guys :D

where is this "labrats", bk? url, please?

Posted by: humyara | August 23, 2006 10:14 PM