The Socialist Student Union (SSU) is an up and coming organization sure to trigger conversations on campus.
As leaders of one of Capital’s newest organizations dedicated to addressing socioeconomic and political issues, co-founders Arielle K. Johnson and Nick Bochenek said that SSU will bring increased awareness on campus to issues, including poor working conditions in Central Ohio, disadvantages faced by minority groups today, and perceived political biases within the university community.
SSU is intended to be an “action orientated group… [that] accurately represent[s] the political and social interests of leftists,” Bochenek said.
Both leaders made a point to mention that SSU will in no way infringe on the activities of organizations already involved in advocating for the concerns of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
“We thought about it a lot when we first brought up the idea of starting this kind of organization, and the fact that we wanted to focus on those who are voiceless and oppressed,” Johnson said. “But we have organizations like SAAAC [Students for the Advancement of Afrikan-American Culture], Pride, and WEA [Women’s Empowerment Alliance], so we had to create something that was overarching yet still political enough that it isn’t going to take away from what the other orgs are doing in their own fight, so I think we are distinctly political for that reason.”
Both Bochenek and Johnson think SSU can help the mentioned organizations, and both hope SSU will be seen as a natural ally.
The two co-founders were also equally adamant that SSU will not be a group dedicated to merely discussing leftist political theory and to leading the Bernie Sanders pep rally. Members will also take an active role in service projects focusing on racial and economic issues.
There is particular interest in partnering with pro-union nonprofits to actively assist in the campaign to raise the minimum wage. Johnson and Bochenek predict that an independent newsletter will soon be produced by the organization.
As for membership itself, it was reported that SSU has 15 members on roster, including some first-year students who came to Capital with the intention of starting a Socialist organization.
“I think if we didn’t have a base… we wouldn’t have gotten as far as we already have,” Johnson said.
While both Bochenek and Johnson admitted that any significant change in the campus climate will take time, they agreed that only 10 members are needed to get an organization going on campus.
“I think we are doing something that is important and that matters, and if people don’t want to care, fine, but we are still going to be in your face about it,” Bochenek said.
When asked what inspired them to create this organization at Capital, both Johnson and Bochenek mentioned discussions they had during Philosophy Club meetings, and with Professor Sean Walsh, who is the organization’s adviser. However, it was also stated that this organization is wholly independent and will even freely criticize flaws perceived in other Socialist organizations.
“No one should be safe, not even us,” Bochenek said.
Both co-founders expressed a desire for passionate and idealistic students.
“[We want students who can] give their time and who are serious about things like economic inequality and racial injustice,” Johnson said.
Students who wish to learn more information about SSU can contact either Bochenek at nbochenek@capital.edu or Johnson at ajohnson983@capital.edu.
