Link Chapters

Hello everyone, 

Hope Spring Break is going awesome for everyone. 

So on March 5th at 10:30AM, Smith College LiNK hosted a 2.5 mile run called Run DMZ. We were so grateful that it went successfully. The weather was a little on the rainy and cloudy side but it did not stop 45 people from coming out and running for the cause!

We were so grateful to see that not only the Smith community but Amherst, UMass, and Northampton High School members were supportive as well. This was our first big event and the amount of awareness that was spread was unbelievable. 

It's hard to miss 45 people running across campus; we had many people come up to our table and ask us what was happening and what kind of cause we were working towards. LiNK's message was spread and we could not have been more grateful!

We had huge support from the athletic community. The trainers let us use a giant water canteen and Smith Crew lent us a tent to keep all of our papers from getting wet. It was really heartwarming to see that there really is a place for everyone in the issue; everyone is in a position to contribute. 

Here's the link to our Run DMZ recap video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlgYQwYw2Xo

Stay tuned for more Smith LiNK events!

We're excited to spread further awareness within the five-college commuity!

It's been an interesting year for us. The fall semester was a huge learning curve for everyone. I started a chapter in high school but running an org in college is a lot different. So many different contracts, forms, and reservation sheets. 

So in the fall, it was about getting on our feet. We were grateful Senate passed us as an org and didn't put us under the Korean org on campus. One of my biggest fears was that we would be put under KASS (Korean American Students of Smith) and that all the members would be Koreans who felt obligated to contribute to the cause. It's important that our campus realize that this issue deserves just as much respect and time as the other focuses and interests that are proposed. 

Our first general body meeting consisted of five people and for that I was grateful. Slowly we began to grow and now we're an org of about ten solid members and about 40-50 supporters. It's been wonderful seeing the support system grow. 

This past Saturday we had an event called Run DMZ (post about this to come...) with about 45 runners. I was delighted with the outcome. However, about twenty people who had signed up and paid, did not show up. This lack of dedication really frustrates me.

There are only so many e-mails, Facebook messages, tweets, and Facebook status updates I can post to make sure everyone knows the event is coming up. 

I've realized though that this is not something that everyone cares about. I've met people on campus who have clearly articulated their argument that this is an issue they have absolutely no empathy for. I don't agree with it but I've accepted this mentality. I've accepted that it exists and that it will take aggressive measures to get people to believe that it's their freedom at stake.

Being part of a chapter gives you a special responsibility. You have to challenge that mentality and really get people to not pity North Korean refugees but see them as equals and get people to realize that it is everyone's freedom at stake. That when one of us is being repressed, all of us are. 

Well that's it for now. 

Esther

Smith LiNK President