COLUMN: #CMUnique: A message of hope
Our campus community is just another crowd. A crowd of students and teachers, men and women living their lives the best way they can.
Despite the rural location of the crowd we all call home, Mount Pleasant and the student body is a crowd that often doesn’t get credit for its uniqueness.
More populous regions of Michigan often shun mid-Michigan as amalgamation of hick towns and boorish Caucasians.
Assumed to be a sea of similarities, lacking inspiration and diversity, many outside observations miss the multitude of human gems at work here.
Just like the rest of the world, we have a vast collection of people here who set themselves apart from traditional customs, and can serve as inspiration for those who might not “fit in.”
To capitalize on this often ignored culture in the city and across the campus of Central Michigan University, Central Michigan Life embarked on a series of human interest pieces at the start of this semester.
Our hope is to share the stories of people breaking down stereotypes in their own lives, and convincing others that anyone – regardless of backgrounds or beliefs – has a place in our sleepy town.
It is essential for the continued social evolution of our community to expose what makes us unique, informing others and bringing hope where it may be lost.
We’ve endeavored to inspire women that they can fight as hard as men toward physical prowess and grit, through our coverage of mixed-martial arts fighter and dedicated mother, Autumn Hale.
We’ve shown our readers a redefinition of spiritual faith by bringing ordained priest and gay man, the Rev. Wayne Nicholson, into our pages.
Most recently, reporters met with Kevin Andrews, a hard-working newsman who has been blind since birth. His story of passion and overcoming obstacles will no doubt give confidence to anyone struggling with disabilities or merely questioning their motivation.
The incredible men and women we’ve met along the way should serve as a reminder to our readership that anything is possible. When people give up on their differences, and work on being who they want to be, our mission has reached fruition.
To every young woman struggling with body issues or a perceived gender gap, Hale demands you fight on.
For young people too afraid to embrace what they really are, who question whether or not the world has a place for them, Nicholson’s message is simple: God is Love.
And when Andrews hits the pavement to get the facts, and holds people accountable, he does it with zeal that inspires anyone who has ever doubted what they can achieve.
This project has captured the heart and imagination of CM Life, and now it is your turn to experience what is truly #CMUnique.
