Wagers Rage On

As of today, 19 students have been fasting for 11 days.

The enthusiasm of the folks behind the UVA Living Wage campaign is truly inspiring. In addition to the now 19 hunger strikers, dedicated supporters have been rallying from 10am - 5pm for over a week outside the Rotunda, maintaining a constant presence to remind the University of its obligations. I've been able to make it out to three of their recent rallies in the past week, and although the song remains the same, it becomes more inspiring each time I hear it. The collective spirit present at the rallies leads it to take on its own character that makes it even greater than the sum of our individual experiences, and, as more and more people show up, the voices becomes stronger and more colorful, creating a chorus that will not be silenced.

Joseph, a football player who's striking.

It's empowering to be surrounding by nearly one hundred people willing to march, shout, and strike for social justice. The strength of a united voice shouting "The people united will never be defeated!" or "1-2-3-4 No one should be working poor/ 5-6-7-8 U-V-A Living Wage!" cannot be denied. It's beautiful to see so many diverse people showing solidarity with the campaign, whether employees, students from different schools at UVA, community members, athletes, professors, club members, or other wagers from other universities. The collective voice of the wagers is full and powerful- it spans a dynamic range of experiences and backgrounds that overwhelms the heterogeneous voice of the Board of Visitors (who represent a very privileged, exclusive tradition).

The new relationships that form as supporters introduce themselves, ask questions, and share their experiences is similarly precious. It's nice to see a public space like the Rotunda steps being used for socioeconomic activism. I've met some inspiring people after rallies, including Joseph, a football player striking on the campaign and students who work alongside employees. The genuine compassion of all of the wagers is visible from the students who are loudly and passionately chanting to those who are on hunger strike and speak with a tired, raspy voice.

The hunger strikers outside Madison Hall last Thursday.

I couldn't help but be reminded of the energy I felt in the Fujimori Nunca Más march in Peru, especially as UVa wagers shouted, "Un pueblo unido nunca será vencido" in solidarity with UVA's latino employees. Yet the Living Wage is a different cause for me. It is more intimate and ingrained in the community that I live in. I interact with underpaid workers every single day at school before, in between, and after classes. Yet it is in my classes where I learn about the values of socio-economic justice and why workers' deserve a dignified wage. I don't want to continue to live in an environment of hypocrisy, which is why I am compelled to join in the discourse, dialogue, and chorus supporting the UVA Living Wage campaign.

It's frustrating, however, to not be heard despite the broad base of support. Five representatives of the campaign, including professors, grad students, and an employee met with President Sullivan yesterday. Although the meeting was on good terms, there has been no progress towards a living wage. How much longer will the hunger strike have to continue? The campaign needs more voices and more bodies for it to succeed. Get involved and speak out!

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UVA Living Wage Campaign Website
Sign the Change.org Petition 

Photos courtesy of me! Feel free to use under a Creative Common's License with attribution.