Cameron Clarkson is a sophomore political science major, writer, and activist from Saint Paul, Minnesota. After just a short time at Howard, he felt compelled to make a difference. Appealing to the average student, Cameron and his running mate Rachel Sanni are working to create sincere change at the university at all levels. Here is a personal look at Cameron away from the campaign trail.
What made you decide to come to Howard?
I came to Howard University for a number of reasons. When I graduated from high school I knew three things for certain: I wanted to get out of Minnesota, I wanted to go to an HBCU, and I wanted to study politics. In the end, I chose Howard after meeting Dr. Carr at the 50th SNCC anniversary at Shaw University. He was one of the most brilliant men I had met. I wanted to go to school wherever there were more people like him.
How did you become interested in student government?
The first time I was inspired to think about student government was before I officially attended Howard. I was at accepted students day and I met then HUSA president Bryan Smart. I watched how he interacted with people. He spoke to everyone from the custodians to the administrators the same way. I knew I wanted to learn to be that type of leader. One who can make everyone feel like a part of the whole.
What is your take on the state of Howard University?
Howard University is in a precarious situation. We are in the middle of a academic renewal process, a tuition increase, and a national recession. We are the Howard generation that is caught in-between two eras. Buildings are under construction and plans are being finalized, but the student body is paying for services they simply aren’t getting right now. However, our campaign firmly believes that the issues we are facing today can be solved with student ideas and creativity. Rachel and I are running to represent those ideas.
How is your campaign different from your opponents’?
Our campaign is different than any other for a few reasons. Firstly, we are campaigning differently because we will govern differently. We are running to represent the modern Howard student, so we focus our campaign on social media instead of printing handbills or a bunch of posters. Secondly we will solve issues differently. We realize that the fastest way to make a strong case for change, whether it be fixing broken bathrooms or changing shuttle routes, is through quantitative data and political action. The students are the most powerful people on our campus and our administration will prove it.
If you could only implement one part of your platform, what would it be and why?
If we could only implement one part of our platform it would be to create a Department of Health and Wellness within the executive cabinet. We are the only candidates to include health on our platform and it is an issue that HUSA needs to address because it is such a huge part of the student experience.
What is the biggest change you want to see at Howard?
The biggest change I would like to see at Howard is something that is hard to see tangibly. I would like to see the way students think about their political power altered from one of docile apathy to one of self-determination and responsibility. We have the power and therefore the responsibility to advocate for ourselves, to build our community and economy, and to become healthier stronger people. Those ideas form the foundation of our platform.
What do you want the student body to know about you as a person and your campaign?
I want the student body to understand one thing about me. I am running to get the job done. I am not looking for a title, an office, new stationary, or a stepping stone to something else. I am running because we need someone who can get results for the student body. It is time to try something new. It is time to come up with our own solutions.