Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

N.C. State students distribute free hugs
By Luke Young
Technician (N.C. State)
11/28/2006

(U-WIRE) RALEIGH, N.C. — Many people walk around campus with their heads hung low, completely detached from everyone else, save the random nudge or gesture. Through devices such as iPods and cell phones, many seem to have devalued basic human contact in favor of solitude. But Professor Tom Hoban and his sociology students are trying to change how people on campus interact with one another.

Students in Sociology 440, social change, are holding a "Free Hugs" event in the Brickyard Today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the event students will be holding signs and passing out hugs to anyone who wants one.

The students said they hope these random acts of kindness will have a positive impact in peoples' lives.

"The 'Free Hugs' are part of a growing international movement," Hoban said. "This student-led event is aimed at promoting more harmony and happiness here on campus."

According to Oscar Faria, a SOC 440 student and junior in social development, the idea came from the Internet.

"It's a campaign a man named Juan Mann started, meant to reach the gap between strangers that this society has created," Faria said.

Two years ago Juan Mann began the Free Hugs movement to spread some love in his hometown of Sydney, Australia. A video which was later posted on YouTube.com featured Mann walking through a crowded mall with a sign reading simply, "Free Hugs." It took Mann 15 minutes to get his first hug, but soon after that the people started rolling in.

The video gained massive claim on YouTube.com, receiving over 5.5 million views and 23,000 ratings. Popularity of the video landed Mann an appearance on Oprah and has spawned Free Hugs movements across America, in over 24 countries, and now on the North Carolina State University campus.

Along with the agenda to promote happiness and a sense of belonging, the students of SOC 440 are using the Free Hugs event to gain support for some causes they are currently working with. According to Morgan Keesee, a senior in social work, the students are addressing a myriad of issues.

"My group is promoting environmental conservation, educating students about recycling and other stuff on campus," she said. "We also have groups promoting peace, healthy eating on campus, youth ethnicity education, sensible drug policy and economic equality."

"We hope to showcase some of the student activism that is underway," Hoban said.

Even with a lot going on, Keesee said students "will be giving out a lot of hugs, all day long."

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