In the backdrop of Main South lies Clark University, an academic institution that stands on a tradition of geography, Sigmund Freud and, infamously of them all, the gentrification of the neighborhood. This issue of gentrification was raised recently with the proposal of building new student dorms by demolishing buildings on Main St, leading to questions on Clark’s influence in the historically working class neighborhood. Clark has tried to bridge gaps, with the biggest example being the failed proposal for a “Community Empowerment Center” – a building with the purpose of holding community engagement programs. However, the university was unable to get enough federal funding for the project, and as of today, they still have not gotten the funds needed to pay for such an establishment. 

Speaking of pay, “What’s outrageous? They won’t pay us” is being chanted on the Clark Undergraduate Workers Union picket line at the time of the writing of this article. Hundreds of Main South residents drive by the Main St picket,  many honking, raising their fists out the window, and even taking videos of the picket line. With many residents taking part to show support for the striking workers, it begs the question if Clark actively cares how the Main South community sees them. To many of the residents here they drive by the “palace of power” (commonly known as the Alumni Student Engagement Center), and can only think about how the people that work there are actively buying up property in their neighborhood as a part of their business and completely disregarding the community. Now that they see that there are students on strike they are going to assume that not only does Clark disregard the neighborhood but also its own students. 

In addition, many of Worcester’s own politicians have voiced support for the strike, including Mayor Joe Petty and Khrystian King, who won the precinct of the surrounding areas of Clark in the 2023 mayoral election. With such massive support from the city government, how else are Worcester and Main South residents supposed to feel other than negativity toward administration? 

For the sake of the workers and also the relationship with Main South: Clark, agree to card check neutrality.