fandomhigh | OPEN MIC STUDENT COUNCIL QUORUM

Entry tags:

!club: student council

OPEN MIC STUDENT COUNCIL QUORUM

((OOC: let the games begin. GO! (edit: Bingo Cards are done! Yay! Now go play.)) (second edit: This will be open for discussion until 10pm US CST, Friday, 10/7. If you want to chime in, do it before then. After that time, comments will be locked.)

"Hello and welcome to the Open Mic Student Council Quorum. This is going to be a cross between a Crossfire event, a debate, and a party. We want you to get to know your Student Council candidates - all of them - better. A lot better. To that purpose, we've invited all of them here tonight. However, as this was not a mandatory event, we don't have a roster yet of who will show up. Feel free to write your questions in, we'll make sure they all get them whether they show tonight or not.

Here's how tonight is going to work:

1) Each Student Council Candidate will be asked 5 questions from the quorum directors (that's us), and they will have 1 minute to answer the question to the best of their ability. We'll be keeping score and awarding points for how accurately each question is answered, as well as style and delivery. At the end of the night, the representative with the most points will win a prize.

2) When the 5 questions have been answered, the floor will be opened to the audience for the Crossfire section - to ask the Candidates anything they want. HOWEVER, the questions must be on topic. Questions phrased with vulgar or offensive language, or questions about personal lifestyle choices or habits will be striken - and the asker will be asked to leave. So phrase your questions carefully. We're here to learn things and have fun.

3) The Candidates may ask each other questions in the Crossfire section. Feel free to go head to head over your issues. Well, verbally, anyway.

4) I mentioned fun, and to that effect, we have Buzzword Bingo going. Each of you was handed a set of Buzzword Bingo Cards and a pencil as you entered. Here's how it works: Each card has the name of a Candidate on it, and many, many buzzwords pulled directly from the debate last night. When you note any Candidate using a buzzword in any of their answers, tick it off on their Bingo Card. The first player to declare a Bingo wins a doorprize. The first player to get Bingos on more than five cards gets the grand prize.

The Prizes:
Single Card Bingo: First 12 people will each win 1lb boxes of chocolates from Wonka's Sweet Shop
Two Card Bingo: First person to get one wins a $15 gift certificate to Deb's Diner and Retro Store
Three Card Bingo: First person to get one wins a $30 gift certificate to Deb's Diner and Retro Store
Four Card Bingo: First person to get one wins a $50 gift certificate to The Emporium
Grand Prize: a $100 gift certificate to Red's Tattoos

((OOC NOTE: For the sake of our sanity, here's how it's going to run.

The "(Candidate name) Questions" threads will be locked to only the Candidates - please, no ooc comments or non-Candidate posting in them.

The "(Candidate name) Crossfire" section will be open to any IC comments. Please direct your questions to the Candidates in their threads.

Please keep all OOC comments in the "OOC" thread" - we ask because we'll be cutting and pasting from the other threads as the night goes on.

This post will remain the same - a secondary post will be linked for people who want to catch up without scanning a billion comments.

If you have questions for the moderator - and for right now, that's me - there will be a seperate post in my non-comm journal and you can ask them there. I am turning email notification for this thread off.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1. Everyone at school talks big about diversity, yet non-human students have been used as scapegoats in the campaign, have been treated as criminals before being proven as such, and are made to feel like second-class citizens, especially those who aren't pretty enough to be considered "passing." Can you outline your plan to prevent further discrimination?

I think that it's simply a matter of treating all students fairly and equally, regardless of appearance or genetic make-up. The administration has shown a no tolerance policy for discrimination and persecution and I think advocating support of that policy is the best path.

I don't think that it even needs to be said that I oppose discrimination in all its forms- some of my best friends aren't exactly human, and I myself am not your typical girl. However, I really think that it's important that all the students realize that fear and hatred aren't going to help anyone.
As secretary, I think that I could help this by publicizing any efforts the school makes to decrease animosity between groups. I mean, if some of the students who are more, shall we say, unkind, were to realize that they were pretty much alone in their opinions and that their opinions had no actual basis or support in fact, I honestly think that it could help to ease tensions.

"Discrimination is tyranny of the highest form. Each being, be they vampire, demon, alien, mutant, or other, has a right to freedom from the oppression that so many students feel day in and day out. As President, I would lead the council to develop student policies that uphold the freedom of all to live in a hate-free environment, as well as peer counseling for any disagreements that arise."

Rory clears her throat.

"I would first of all like to say that I had absolutely no knowledge of the unfair ad placed against Belthazor. I view every student on this campus as equal to each other, and I have always treated everyone as such. Once in office, I plan to create activities for all students to participate in, as well as a dating service. And as Student Relations Officer, I will make myself available to anyone and everyone who feels that they need someone to talk to - whether it's because they're persecuted, afraid, or otherwise. I will make it my job to ensure that at Fandom High, no one has to be forced to feel bad because they're different."

Well, discrimination stems from the fear people have of something or someone different from themselves. The first thing we need to do is to show that we aren't something to be feared. The non-human students are here for the same reason the human students are; to learn. We are all just teenagers trying to make it through high school. In order to get the students together we need to plan more social events in order to support inter-species unity.
And we need to have the administration working with us on a policy that is absolutely intolerant to discrimination. By the administration putting it's foot down the students will stop the injustice that is going on now.

"One of the things that I am planning to do if elected, is to hold weekly meetings in which students will have the opportunity to learn about the other species. Also, I will use all the resources in my power to help fight the discrimination. I am aware that someone on my campaign posted up an anti-demon video, however, I am aghast that someone would stoop to such a low. Yes, it was a bad thing. But making it public in such a way was not any better."

To put it simply, I would make it clear that discrimination would not be tolerated. Any student caught discriminating against non-humans would be made an example of, and any staff would be brought to the attention of the pricipal and the dean. In conjunction with the school administration I would make certain there would be stiff penalties for discrimination against non-humans...and non-humans discriminating against humans.

A big part of leadership is leading by example. I hope that by continuing to deal with all students in the same manner, I can encourage others to do the same thing. I plan on being available to, and on working to do what is right for all the students at this school.

"I owe apologies on two counts. First, during the weapons ban discussion, I lost my temper. I made arguments that may have been twisted to suggest it would be appropriate for non-human students to be subjected to physiological limitations on their abilities to equalize power between them and humans.

"My intention was to state that my weapons were as much a part of me as, for example, Phoebe's powers are of her. While I still believe my weapons are psychologically linked to me, I've changed my mind about that argument. I can put my weapons down where someone else might misuse them. Phoebe cannot do that with her powers. They are different, no matter how much my weapons are a part of who I am. My apologies for any contribution to the feeling of having been scapegoated." Beka nods to Draco and Alanna, the only participants she's seen so far that she knows to be non-human.

"Second, I offer my apologies to Cole for the outrageous smear campaign. I had nothing to do with it. I suspect I know who did, but I have no proof. If I ever get any, I will turn it over to the Administration immediately to decide what to do with it.

"As to what I will do to prevent discrimination, I believe Alanna has already touched on the plan we developed together when we were running mates. Though we aren't any longer, I still favor the plan. I outlined it last night, so I'll just remind you that I called for: informational seminars, mixers, and mediation sessions. In addition, if there is sufficient interest, I'll inquire of the Administration about one-on-one cross-species mentoring.

"Where I'm from, the humans are a persecuted minority. Discrimination and race-based oppression is just plain wrong."

No disrespect to my competition, but most of the people running for office here are human. I think it's pretty important that someone be elected who is not human to make sure their voice is heard on the council. Unique perspective and all. I think I could help prevent slights and misunderstandings.

Marty walks in late and apologizes. He looks very tired.

"From a security perspective, it's about making sure that every students rights and lifestyle can be protected and that nobody is ignored. In order to relieve fear and discrimination I think it is important that we start a group whose goal is to reach out to all the different students here so that we can learn from each other."

"I will make sure that the money I am taking care of for the school will be spent on things for humans, and non humans," she states matter of factly.

"You know, non-humans aren't so bad, as long as they're not trying to kill people. Well, except for zombies- they're always bad," she adds.

Phoebe's eyes glitter and it is obvious that she is still very upset about some of the campaign tactics.

"First of all, I wish to offer a public apology to Belthazor. That video being made public was an underhanded attack and it really had no place in the campaign proceedings. It was the catalyst for the decisions I made regarding how my campaign was being run.

"As for the term "pretty enough", what constitutes beauty in any form? What one may consider to be beauty, another would consider the most hideous thing on the planet. Example, a dear friend of mine, Evie, has a pet that most people would be terrified of. Her favorite animal in the world is a King Cobra. To her, that Cobra is the most beautiful thing in the world. To others, the Cobra is a thing to be feared. Which one of them are right?"

Phoebe swallows, looking a little bit scared, but then she lifts her chin.

"What constitutes being a human? What constitutes a non-human? That's the problem, we can talk about diversity, but people's definitions of diversity, human and non-human all seem to differ." Phoebe avoids looking at Cole, still looking a bit scared that she was doing this. "I'm a witch. I have powers and can do things that others cannot. Am I human or a non-human? Who decides that? Does someone get to decide that I need to be executed because I'm different from the other students? How am I different from Belthazor? He has things that others do not, so do I. Does that mean I should be discriminated against?

"I agree that there is too much discrimination at this school, and that it needs to be addressed.

"My plan is a simple one, and it mirrors Alanna's actually. I would like to organize events or meetings to get both humans and non-humans a chance to learn about each other and see that no matter what label is stuck on us, we're all so much alike. We're living beings and it's only right that we find a way of communicating and interacting with each other. If we get to know each other a little better, there wouldn't be so much fear."

*Elizabeth looks slightly pale still from her illness, and is not quite as effervescent as she would normally be in a situation like this*

It is not only discrimation against non-human students that must be focused on. The United Nations have warned the worldleaders that their plans to "make poverty history" will fail as long as they do not act against gender discrimination. Obviously the school environment is a much smaller one than the world; but what we learn in school, we will go out to spread in the world.

Individious, irrational social discrimination has no place in the world, and civil rights demand that they should not exist.

The problem with the discrimation at Fandom High appears to have been statistical; the individuals are being discriminated against because of the stereotype held against the group they are associated with, in this case, non-humans.

A series of measures would need to be undertaken. We are at an advantage that there are no discriminatory rules in place which would need to be abolished. They can sit at the front of the bus. However, something would need to be established to ensure the effective protection of them against discrimation.

However, whilst we ensure that there is no further discrimination against the non-humans of the school, we must also assure that other discrimination will not be tolerated, else whilst protecting the non-humans, will we end up discriminating against the rest of the school?

In my home dimension, discrimination has historically had to do with politics. Here, however, I have noticed that it has had more to do with pure unadulterated bigotry.

The only way to ensure that there is no fear resulting from prejudice is to constantly force people together. Sooner or later, differences will be resolved or at least buried. I believe that given some time, the students at Fandom will become resigned, if not accepting, to other students.

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OPEN MIC STUDENT COUNCIL QUORUM

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