Schakowsky tells success stories; says small groups influence policy
and effect changes within society
By Jennifer Leopoldt
The Daily Northwestern
Using humorous anecdotes and serious observations, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky
told about 90 people about the importance of activism Wednesday afternoon
at the Allen Center.
"A small number of people can make a difference," said Schakowsky,
D-Ill. She represents the ninth district, which includes Evanston and Skokie.
Schakowsky's speech was sponsored by the Institute for Policy Research
as part of its distinguished public policy lecture series.
People with a goal can affect public policy, Schakowsky said. She told
of how she and a group of friends began checking the freshness of food
at grocery stores in 1969. Their project grew, and through inspecting stores
and publishing pamphlets, Schakowsky's group made stores put freshness
dates on products.
Schakowsky said the group's success changed her perception of what
she could accomplish, and she emphasized that she and her fellow advocates
made a large social impact without having any political training.
"We were the real thing - authentic, suburban housewives," she said.
Another of her projects was to go to Chicago's office of the Immigration
and Naturalization Services and monitor how the agency dealt with customers.
Officials began to send people home after they had waited in line for
more than three hours, and a guard told Schakowsky, "Move or go to jail!"
Because she was looking for problems, Schakowsky said she rejoiced
at the harsh treatment she received from the guard.
"You always want to rely on your enemy to do the wrong thing at the
right time," she said.
Schakowsky also addressed the problem of low voter turnout. She said
politicians need aggressive strategies to engage voters.
"People don't vote, even those who care, because they believe they
can't influence the outcome of public policy issues," she said.
Other people do not vote because politicians fail to address issues
that resonate with them, Schakowsky said.
"Politicians themselves contribute to the lack of public involvement
by misreading what people want," she said.
Schakowsky also said some people underestimate the impact small groups
can have, instead believing that only money matters in government.
"People power still trumps money power every day of the week," she
said.
Schakowsky said civic involvement has spiked since Sept. 11, and she
is waiting to see whether the trend will continue. She said people often
want to work with the government for the public good.
"I believe there is a longing to be connected, and when we Americans
are connected, there is nothing we can't do," she said.
Most people said they enjoyed the presentation, but Lisa Zelljadt,
a Weinberg junior, said she questioned Schakowsky's idea that people power
could win out over big money.
"I don't think that's necessarily true these days," Zelljadt said.
But Palatine resident Jeff Borgardt, 23, said he thought the discussion
of activism and enacting change was inspiring.
"It's definitely something people can get excited about," he said.
Ruth Prale, a 70-year-old Chicago resident, said she though Schakowsky's
speech could spur others to activism.
"She offered concrete ways for us to move forward, to better society
- that's what it's all about," Prale said.
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