THE FOUR YEAR In his now renowned “Comment No.1” (1970), Gil Scott-Heron voices proclamations of revolution while he criticizes the white, so-called-activists of the 1960s. With his hallmark baritone voice and a foul taste in his gritty words, he condemns the “four year revolutionary with a hole card,” a reference to the pseudo-activism often times exhibited on college campuses nationwide. Fifty years later and his commentary on the lack of social awareness and inclusivity remains as relevant as when he first spoke his piece. Living within the bubble of any institutional university, you will soon begin to notice a popular trend among student-ran organizations. That is, of course, the call for sociopolitical activism.
Everywhere you look, there’s a different problem that requires your immediate attention. THE TIME IS NOW! ACT NOW! ACT QUICK! THE WORLD NEEDS YOU! For what, exactly? Curiosity reels you in. After a brief chat with some of the members about the club’s mission, you feel inspired. You’re ready to answer the call of justice. You’re ready to fight for free healthcare, labor rights, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, climate change, or whatever it is that this particular organization does. You’re not entirely sure, but you’re feeding the homeless next week. You soon immerse yourself in this new venture of social revolution. Your new catchphrase becomes a half-hearted “fuck the system,” and the Bernie sticker on your Hydroflask shows the world you’re ready for systemic change. You read one article on socialism, and consider yourself a communist now. Throughout your college experience, you indulge in miscellaneous and unrelated volunteer activities, but don’t stop to think about its sustainability. You briefly wonder why there is so much literal shit in
