I got the chance to learn last week about an incredibly important piece of legislation making its way through Congress this year. It’s called the Dream Act, meant to help tens of thousands of children illegally brought to this country by family members to gain rights that all people should have access to.

As I sat in this meeting, I was struck with disbelief at the size and the depth of the issue that exists. I had no idea how many people were affected by poor immigration policy.

The Dream Act is a baby step toward the absolutely vital immigration reform that is aching to be addressed in this country. But this meeting was more than that. I was smacked in the face by my own ignorance. The issue is alive in our country, even on this campus, and I had no idea. Even worse, I had no idea of what to do about it.

I’m a student studying social justice, so how in the world could I be caught so unaware? Is it impossible for a suburban white boy to pay attention to these issues? Why hasn’t Gustavus told me about this until now?

Maybe I haven’t been paying attention. Maybe it’s not a part of the agenda here at Gustavus to advance causes like immigration reform. I don’t buy that. In President Ohle’s introduction to a Nobel Conference luncheon, he said, “Gustavus cannot be everything to everyone.” And you know what, he’s right. I hate to break it to you, but our marine biology department is not coming anytime soon.

But the wonderful part about living in this community is that, dare I say it, our voices count. At a college seeking justice, people have a responsibility to listen, and through this avenue we can create change with every little step that we take. Write to Chef Jake (chef_jake@gustavus.edu), write a letter to the Weekly editors (and submit by Monday night at five), or voice your opinion in any one of our student orgs. I don’t care if it’s for the College Democrats or Republicans or the Greens or the Dentistry Club. There are voices that need to be heard.

I have come to realize that I was not angry with Gustavus the other night while I was learning about the Dream Act. I was mostly angry with myself. I was busy. We are here to be educated. Yes, we have readings to do. Yes, we have rehearsals that we must attend to keep our scholarships. But we need to make time for the things that feed the needs of the world and equally important, the needs of our own souls. The more we do for the things we care about, the things that give us energy and passion, the better we will be able to care for others.

There are already plenty of people saying what they want Gustavus to be. Some of them work here, some are on the Board of Trustees, some are donors. I also know of some 2,500 people invested in this college right now. They are often referred to as “students.”

It’s time to think not only about what Gustavus wants us to do, not what a future employer wants us to do, but also about what we want to do with our time and our energy at this institution and in our lives. We are Gustavus, friends! If we want the college to care, to change, to represent the values that we hold, we have to demonstrate those values. For ourselves, and for everyone’s sake.