 "Photo: Coyote Chronicle")
Nathonas Duro had to work three jobs to get into college.
She made a countless number of sacrifices to be able to afford being a CSUSB student.
Today, she’s fighting to make sure members of her family won’t have to face as many sacrifices as she had to.
That’s why she decided to rally students. She organized an event to protest against fee increases and classes being cut.
She’s the heart behind last week’s walkout.
“It was hard to get here,” said the 22-year-old Sociology major. “That’s why today we have to fight.”
Duro is already involved in more than eight campus clubs and organizations.
The 32 percent fee increases announced this summer frustrated her to a point where she had to get involved.
“I sacrificed so much and I want to make sure that the sacrifices I made are the right ones,” she said. “I’m not just fighting for myself, but for the future.”
The idea of the protest emerged while Duro was speaking to students. She realized that most of them were upset about the cuts.
She also heard some people talking about a walkout.
However, the idea never left the Student Union. Therefore, Duro decided to start a movement by herself.
She insists she isn’t doing this only for her. In fact, as a senior, Duro will probably never benefit directly from all of the actions she’s organizing.
“However, if nobody does something now, it’s never going to get done. I couldn’t leave campus knowing that the students are still going to be paying more,” she said.
Duro convinced other people to join her. Together, they started to work.
She had to work every day and night, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., talking to people and convincing them to rally.
“It was extremely difficult,” Duro said. “I’m very passionate. That’s what carried me through.”
This passion comes from the conviction Duro has that students deserve better treatment. For her, the issue is about whether this nation wants to have an educated work force.
“This is our future,” she said. “We come here to get educated and to make a difference in the world. This is our moment. We have to get out there.”
Duro also wants students to be more aware of the changes that are happening. According to her, if students are well-informed, they will protest more.
“Hard decisions like budgets cuts are made when the voices of the students go quiet and when we are not here standing up for our education,” she said.
Last week’s protest is only the beginning, Duro believes. She says she wants to continue to fight, especially for her family.
“I have nieces and nephews. I want them to be able to go to college and contribute back to their community,” she said. “I want them to have that opportunity. My turn is over. It’s their turn now.”
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