By Jake Scott

April 19, 2009

Elmhurst College Students, staff and a pseudonymous faculty member identified only as “The Professor,” aim to change the world with their May 1 event which targets racism and will feature music to promote positive social change.

EC junior Kevin O’Donnell, head of Radio Freedom Underground, a local music-based organization combating social injustice, has teamed up with Allies of Change and The Professor to bring an event to Elmhurst College that O’Donnell describes as yet unseen.

“It’s unlike anything that’s happened on this campus before,” said O’Donnell.

“It’s essentially an informative, musical and semi-dramatic lecture.”

“[the event is] based around informing people about racism and the importance of being conscious of everything you say and everything you do and how it impacts the people around you. And even the institutionalized stuff that’s ingrained in our society you may not even realize you’re doing,” said O’Donnell.

The event will also feature local acts Mendelssoh, Fantastic Mammals, and Apathy in conjunction with the release of a seven-track CD, compiled by O’Donnell of various artists’ work, to promote the progressive message of Radio Freedom Underground and Allies of Change.

The CD, offered at the May 1 event and available on iTunes, will also include two bonus tracks, redeemable on purchase via an internet download in order to generate traffic to web sites promoting social justice.
The event’s goal and that of both organizations involved is simple.

“We’re going to change the world,” said The Professor.

A self-described white anti-racism activist, The Professor hopes the event and the work of both Allies of Change and Radio Freedom Underground will challenge the authority of the established order.

“The point I’m making is that racism has to stop.” 

The idea for the Radio Freedom Underground and the subsequent May 1 event came to O’Donnell in response to the hate crimes from earlier this fall and the subsequent rallies.

The events leaders hope to pull the Elmhurst College community back into the fold in actively dealing with diversity issues.

“Radio Freedom Underground started as a project right after that tremendously catastrophic incident we had [on campus] earlier last semester … At that big really we had someone kept saying, you have to get off your butt and do something. We’ll no body did,” said O’Donnell.

He added, “So I thought it would be a good time for someone to do something. I decided to put out an album with songs about racism and the responses of students on campus. Try to really bring the whole place back together after it was torn apart.”

In responding to these events both Allies of Change and Radio Freedom Underground deliberately chose music as the strongest vehicle to deliver their message.

“The kind of student that will not go to a lecture on culture theory may to go a rock concert,” said “The Professor.”

Borrowing from social change of history’s past, O’Donnell and “The Professor” see music as the unifying factor in combating injustice.

“Instead of trying to overthrow a government, why not we overthrow social convention and make a change in what’s considered the status quo by showing our togetherness as a community. And having an event where everyone one can come and bring something to the table. So really music I think is the only logical choice,” said O’Donnell.

“Music has always been part of social change in our country, any major social change. We as a culture rally around each other and one way we do that is through music,” said “The Professor.”

Roger Moreano, Director of Intercultural Student Affairs, has helped raise funds for the event and is a strong supporter of strengthening the EC community through social change.

“It’s really a testament to our campus that we are able to hold programs like this, to call attention to important matters,” said Moreano.

But, while the May 1 event will hopefully draw upon student interest and promote unity and involvement, Moreano would hope to see this evolve into a consistent effort by the Elmhurst Community.

“A program like this should be happening regularly, calling attention to issues of social justice should be on the forefront of people’s minds as they walk through here. These things matter to EC,” said Moreano.

“The Professor” echoed similar sentiments in discussing the option of promoting change.

“I feel that Anyone who knows how to solve the worlds problems is obligated to do so.”