Letter from the Editor

This semester marks the one-year anniversary for Stand Up, and while we’re still facing the struggles of any upstart magazine on such a large, diverse campus, we are now, as ever, fully committed to bringing about progress for the school and community we love. Our small, yet devoted fan base is growing thanks to our passionate staff of artists and writers.

Of course, our anniversary is not the only important event signaling a change in the community this year. The 2008 election could very well be one of the most important events in our nation’s history, and while each and every American will be affected by the events of the months to come, Athens and the University of Georgia itself will be see an even greater influence from the lesser known.

With every new class of freshmen come new activists, new writers and the potential to set in motion a revolution, a transformation of the mores that surround and suppress us. This community, like so many more college towns around the country is the breeding-ground for new ideas and leaders, many of whom, if our job is done correctly, will be highly influenced by the work we do.

The goal of any publication is to inform. Others face the greater task of attempting to motivate, to inspire. This is not only our goal, it is our purpose. You don’t have to be a card carrying ACLU member, a bike riding vegan or a Lennon loving protester to fall within our demographic. We are just as open to ridicule as praise. In fact, many great movements faced scorn in their early years. Debate is our goal, discussion our mission. Our concern is global, our focus local.

— Stephanie Jackson