Raffaele Fantasia
Finally taking a stance against the poor political process in this country was a huge factor for me in joining the Socialist Alliance. The one thing that appealed to me about the alliance was its discreet but sizeable presence in Wollongong.
Whilst being frustrated with politicians who I only saw on TV, the Socialist Alliance was hugely different because I saw them on posters every time I caught my bus, or I got taken to their meetings when I wanted something more out of a Friday night.
I joined the alliance soon after Alvaro Guzman, representing the Bolivarian Student Front in Venezuela, visited Australia. The meeting that he addressed was the last bit of inspiration I needed to give a damn about the illegal and indecent behavior of the Howard government.
Of course I could have joined the Labor Party at the time, or the Greens, but none of those parties had a focus on engaging people who are busily studying or working to be active, or to learn and be inspired. The one thing I stand by the most when defending Socialist Alliance policy in the face of cynicism and conservatism amongst some students is mass action. As a powerless student, the alliance has bestowed an inner belief in me that no matter what happens in political chambers or corporate board rooms, there are a huge group of people — a majority — who are outraged about political decisions, yet are distanced from politics because it doesn't happen on the streets.
I've been to one rally so far and it was the most empowering thing I have ever done, and I am certain that the "End the lies" demonstrations on October 2-3 will be even better.
It was Resistance who teamed up to present the first campaign to lower the voting age in Wollongong, and successfully hosted a public forum and mock election on schools. The Socialist Alliance, of which Resistance is an affiliate, is the only party committed to young people's opinions and beliefs — not just who we vote for. The alliance, in the future, will emerge as a huge political force because of its generosity and the vision it shares with young people, and young people will be the driving energy for progress and power into the future.
[Raffaele Fantasia is a 16-year-old high school student in Wollongong.]
From Green Left Weekly, September 29, 2004.
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