Infamous Scribbler

Name:	Infamous Scribbler
Location:	Gurnee, IL

My personal volunteering highlight:

I organized and participated in a sit in at my college over the issue of tenure to Norman Finkelstein, a qualified anti-war professor. The school bowed to pro-war sentiment and denied Finkelstein tenure. I helped to organize students and faculty to defend Finkelstein, which culminated in a 3 day and 2 night occupation of President Fr. Holtschneider's office.

More about my volunteering with progressive organizations:

I am a camp counselor at Circle Pines Center, a summer camp that emphasizes environmental and pacifist activism.

I was the President of DePaul Students Against the War and the DePaul Activist Student Union. I led several delegations of students to anti-war rallies and successfully led the campaign to Boycott Coca-Cola at DePaul Univeristy. I am currently writing a 'People's History' of DePaul University which focuses of the history of civil rights, lgbtq activism, and other movements in DePaul University's 100 year history.

I was an intern for the Hotel and Restaurant Employees union, helping to support the strike at the Congress hotel and to organize the unorganized.

More about my work on current campaigns and issues:

I have worked for a few progressive candidates. I volunteered on John Laesch's campaign for Congress in IL-14, and was a staff field organizer for Tom Geoghegan in IL-5. I am currently becoming involved in another electoral campaign for a progressive in Illinois.

What motivates me:

Anger and Love. Anger at the way the world is, and love for the people who live in the world.

This isn't like a cheesy movie where I say 'the system killed my brother, now I will kill it.' First of all, I'm an only child, second of all, in the real world people have motivations that are much more complex than that of hollywood rambos.

I'm motivated by the acts of kindness and mutual aid that people commit every day. When they unite to improve their way of life. I'm motivated by a desire to be free. To be able to make my own choices, without having to worry about how I will pay for health care. I'm motivated by the rebellious spirit of rock n roll.

How I try to motivate others:

Developing personal relationships built on trust are the building blocks of social movements. Standing up alone against an anti-union boss is terrifying to a sane individual. Standing up to the boss with a group is empowering. When you know you have a friend who will stick with you through the good times and the bad, your fear disappears and you know you can stay motivated in activism.

Where I see myself in five years:

With the economy the way it is, I have thought about going back to school, where I could go into history, education or law. I could continue to be involved in academic freedom issues, as well as access to education issues. I would like to continue my involvement with organized labor and the anti-war movement. I sometimes consider running for office, though I am unsure which would have the most impact.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:

Don't Get Sick, Get Angry.