Activist goes to bat for U.N.

Standing in front of a podium at McKenna Theatre last night, famed human rights activist Randall Robinson stood statuesque, with a look of courage and strength on his face as he gave a powerful speech on the future of the United Nations.

Robinson's speech came as an ending to a day-long conference at SF State commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations. The conference was sponsored by the Commonwealth Club of California and the global peace studies department.

In his speech Robinson, who launched the Free South Africa movement and recently convinced the administration to change its policy on Haiti, pointed a finger at the United States for its lack of support for the U.N.

"The U.N. is broke. The United States owes $1.4 billion to them and will not pay it back," Robinson said. "The U.N. enjoys no support from a single Republican in Washington. Our own governor declined to celebrate the anniversary of the U.N. The U.N. has always been a favorite scapegoat of politicians."

Robinson used an analogy from his childhood, when he would go to the movies not knowing what time it started. He would just go in at any time no matter if it were the beginning, middle or end of a movie.

"America always comes in at the end of the movie -- we never find out about tragedies in other countries until it's too late," Robinson said.

He also pleaded for all Americans to get more involved in foreign affairs and global issues, stating that, "One out of eight Americans can not find America on a global map."

Robinson has been a formidable voice for human rights in the world. He is the founder of the Transafrica Forum and acts as its executive director.

The forum is a lobbying group that focuses on Africa, the Caribbean and U.S. foreign policy. It also helps to train and prepare African American youths in the field of foreign service.

For Jamal Brown, an ethnic studies senior, the chance to see Robinson speak was a great opportunity.

"The fact that this great man is able to come here and give us a glimpse into his greatness is an achievement in itself," Brown said.

This sentiment was shared by Jim Syfers, co-chair of global peace studies and co-organizer of the event. "He is a very famous activist and a wonderful human being," Syfers said. "We are proud that we got him to come to SF State."

One of Robinson's concerns is for our youth. He worries that the youth of today are becoming more apathetic, reading less and not working to make a change.

For student Amber Williams, Robinson's speech inspired her to become more involved.

"I only hope that I could have as much, if not more courage than Randall Robinson. He has made me believe that I can really make changes come about," said Williams.

The human rights leader ended his speech by saying that he never thought he would see Nelson Mandela president of his country, and democracy in Haiti."

Randall Robinson had a message Tuesday evening that he directed to all of the young people of the world, no matter what color, or what river separated them.

"My message is to young people who are here tonight and who are not -- if you believe it can be done, it will be done. Do things for your world, because you are a member of the human family."

[ Golden Gater Online October 26, 1995 ]

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