Today, I was tabling for Student Health Advocates at the Muir College Health Fair. It was pretty low-key with about a dozen student orgs/wellness cluster organizations. There was a raffle going on for Jamba gift cards so the SHA’s and I took turns in going around table to table to fill out our raffle ticket forms.

I encountered a pre-health organization. As I was introducing myself and the SHA program, an individual asked me if I was interested in joining. I admitted to him, honestly no. I said my plate was already full and that I was just trying to introduce myself as an SHA, a liaison between the students on campus and the health education staff. 

He then proceeded to shout at me, “WHAT? YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT SICK BABIES?!” I tried to change the subjects by alluding to an item on his display board about breast cancer research for Asian women. I asked if he was familiar with the Asian Pacific Health Foundation and their team for Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure, since the race is coming up! Still, he persisted to criticize me for not joining his organization. He shouted, “THIS GIRL DOESN’T WANT TO JOIN OUR CLUB.” Like dude, what the fuck. Even worse, the four or five people around him shared the same disbelief. It seemed like he was taking it too far!

I told him, that as SHA’s we try to promote a healthy living for our fellow students; we encourage them to not spread themselves too thin in joining too many organizations since it may cause increased stress.  

Still, the message wasn’t getting across to this kid! He kept on making rude comments to me.. I told him that, as pre-health student organizations, we should be in solidarity with one another and encourage each other’s efforts, not necessarily put down one another for not being members of each other’s organizations

Eventually I had to walk away from the table. It left such a sour feeling in my stomach, that I “taddled” on him to the sweet student who was putting on the health fair for his residents. I told him that I was concerned with some of the org’s tactics for getting new members, not to cause any sort of drama. He shared my sentiments and then proceeded to confront the organization’s president, I presume. The President then chased after me to apologize on his organization’s behalf and what was said was distasteful.. I sort of just smiled my way through it, since in the back of my mind, I knew that he was there witnessing/laughing along with the whole debacle. 

My question is: why is it that student organizations are so absorbed with gaining other members that they cannot respect the efforts of other individuals who share similar missions. For instance, I don’t necessarily need to join HMP3 or Pre Health Club, since I am Pre-Health, but have decided to go the PA route and join the Pre-PA Student Organization. Ugh, it just boggles my mind.

Am I being too concerned with this? My partner said I should not worry about my own organization, but why be quiet and just let the kid put me down.. I should at least express my feelings - shit, my feelings are valid. And at least express it to others so the same thing doesn’t happen again. Ugh.

OH - and homeboy had the nerve to not return my raffle ticket! Get your own, you booger!