As a University of Guelph student, the CSA that accredits themselves as representing me, is failing to do so through a very inappropriate manner. As a student who is involved in the community, I find it very offensive and incorrect to be using a campaign slogan “get pissed off!” in order to provoke students to vote in the upcoming municipality election.

Today, I received a CSA handout that stated “Get Pissed Off!”, followed by random symbols with intentions of leading people to assume they have been substituted for profound language. The message is filled with general negativity which seems bizarre for a campus that is enriched with volunteerism, community, and a large campaign entitled “the Better Planet Project.” The Guelph elections should be a time for refreshing change, encouraging debate, and a time for citizens to better understand Guelph. The “get pissed off!” campaign does not represent any of these views that I have about the elections. The CSA campaign seems to scare away most students and discourage any further talk on the subject in fear that they will be aggressively turned down or yelled at for questioning certain debate within the elections.
After the CSA just launched a large response to Hate Activity On-Campus last week, it seems very contradictory to be promoting the message, “get pissed off!” It may be difficult to come up with slogans that encourage voting (“yes we can”, “rock the vote”), but do so through positive social action and community, because frankly, stating “get pissed off!” does not create a welcoming, inclusive community.
For this upcoming election, I will not “get pissed off!”, as I will be occupied educating myself on the candidates and making an appropriate vote for those deserving it. This will all be accomplished while encouraging my University peers to do the same through a positive yet engaging platform.
Jordan Thompson

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