Students for a Democratic Society: energizing campus activism

In the midst of today’s evolving campus climate, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is addressing contemporary issues and aiming to give all students a voice.

SDS is a club rooted in activism. According to the SDS constitution, its mission is to empower the community to rally against injustice and educate students about struggles in their community.

Junior historic preservation major Bailee Porteous, the club’s chair of media, said that the club is here to represent not only the national SDS organization but the town of Cape Girardeau itself.

“SDS is an activism organization where we follow the national SDS and some of their beliefs, but along with that, we represent the town of Cape Girardeau. Some things we believe in are helping the housing crisis, and the drug epidemic that's going on. We also oftentimes rally for ending the genocide in Palestine in a ceasefire, and we also stand for women’s reproductive rights. We stand for the rights of people as a whole,” Porteous said.

Sophomore social studies education major Catelyn Roberts chair of the board for SDS, said that the club's main goal is to be a student activist group and to stir change here on campus.

Roberts said that what makes them different is they don’t associate with one specific political party.

“The biggest difference, first and foremost, is that Cape SDS isn’t aligned with any specific political party. The things we fight for can be more left-leaning, but we are not affiliated with any party. We aren’t influenced by party agendas and party platforms,” Roberts said.

SDS is rooted in student voices. Junior historic preservation and anthropology major Carlee Ashby, the club’s secretary, said she joined the club because of their ties in activism.

“I love culture, and being able to use my voice in a way that benefits others who do not have access to use their voice or are ignored. This club gave me a great chance to help raise awareness and use that voice,” Ashby said.

The club was started in March by members Roberts and J.T. Baysinger. Roberts said they started SDS because no one was like them on campus.

“A lot of the political organizations on campus here aren’t activism based. They’re more based around raising support for their specific parties. We founded this group specifically so that there was a place further left on campus to help inspire activism, so people know that students, we do have a voice,” Roberts said.

Porteous said that they engage students through events like protests across campus and that the club has a lot planned for this upcoming year.

“We have a couple different protests coming up. We have a reproductive rights protest coming up here in September, and more information will be out soon. In October, we are holding another protest for a ceasefire and the end of genocide of Palestinans,” Porteous said. “We are also holding a bake sale at the beginning of next semester, and all the proceeds will go towards teachers in the Cape Girardeau area to get them supplies for themselves and their students.”

The group is in the University Center every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., conducting voter registration drives and providing information about different candidates to students voting in Illinois and Missouri.

As the club grows, Roberts said their goal for the next year is to increase membership.

“I want to see our membership grow a lot. We want to make sure we’re making strides in the community and getting in touch with people so people know we exist,” Roberts said.

For more information, find them on Instagram at cape.sds or visit their website.