Noam Yekutiel Sibony | Contributor
Featured image: A timeless holiday tale of the YFS’ student unions actions and their 2017 Annual General Meeting. | Noam Yekutiel Sibony
T’was the night before the Annual General Meeting, with a familiar twist,
Not a student was aware, however, it did exist.
An email was procured, as a mental health bulletin—with care,
In hopes that very few would actually be there.
The next day students sat, all snug and in their classes,
Meanwhile club upon club, gathered in the masses.
The YFS President in her chair, a hall at first seeming hollow,
Had just sat herself down, for a long day to follow.
Up from the back, there arose quite the racket,
It was the Revolutionaries, or Fightback (have I lost track yet).
And away to the side, as other clubs assumed seating,
I was ecstatic for my first Annual General Meeting.
When all were United, Students ready for Action,
Not a space had been left for opposing faction.
I paid no mind, as what to my eyes would appear,
The anti-oppression officer defending, stationed to the rear.
With Big Brother and Winston finally ready to engage,
I knew in a moment, Vice-President Equity had taken the stage.
More thundering than expected, a rallying cry,
Spouting profanity in her motions, earlier unbeknownst to I.
“Now, how many of you agree?” followed her strenuous talk,
Near every student raised their hand, I was certainly shocked.
“And for those of you who dare to defy what we say,”
“You and I will have to have a little talk… later today.”
With students perplexed, with this undemocratic way to vote,
It ended up feeling, as though that was all that she wrote.
Most seated stayed quiet and remained in their lane,
Yet one man rose up, fought back against the grain.
Off to the microphone he so hastily flew,
So to voice his concern, which was all he could do.
Polite with the rep before him, he presented the inflection,
Still, nothing could help the plight of his complexion.
His comments were dismissed as racist, policing,
To then blame all of the students, their guilt only increasing.
Others chimed in, demanding transparency.
Yet, motion after motion had to be shut down—apparently.
It only makes sense, that the one chance students get,
To enact meaningful change, can the YFS so easily forget.
As the day came to a close, ripe with walkouts, disruption, and fear,
I anticipated yet another empowering strike and Free Tuition rally this year.
So in the words of our Student Union, for change—one thing certain is this:
We truly must “Rise Up, Retaliate, and Resist.”
