Cory Massimino is a Campus Coordinator.
When I was about 13 I was suicidal. I was a depressed hermit about to enter high school with almost no friends and even less self-esteem. I had no ambition for anything greater and nearly got expelled for skipping class constantly. I eventually tried therapy, pills, exercising…anything. None of it helped. I was on the verge of killing myself for about four years. I found a reason to live in an unexpected place.
Liberty.
Around this same time I discovered Milton Friedman’s entire “Free to Choose” PBS series on YouTube. I was vaguely interested in politics at the time, identifying as a conservative, but this was something else. This wasn’t just about politics. This was an idea about how the world worked and how the world ought to work. This was about the study of human society, the miracle of the division of labor, the spontaneity of social order, respecting peoples’ personal autonomy, and doing anything peaceful. This was about being truly free to choose. This was libertarianism. It was a vision of something beautiful. Something I immediately wanted to see in action.
I watched the whole series and read Milton’s two major works, Capitalism and Freedom and Free to Choose. I was merely ankle deep in the world and philosophy of liberty but I was already hooked. I knew this was important. I knew this was worth pursuing. I knew a free world is one that I wanted to live in. I was angry when I saw the shackles that government has constrained society to for thousands of years. I wanted to change this. I needed to change this.
I treaded the waters of libertarianism for some time without ever fully immersing myself. For about three years I read more into it, but never found a way to actually get involved…until one night when I was watching Stossel and saw his show at the 2012 International Students For Liberty Conference. “Look at that!” I exclaimed to myself, “libertarians my age!” I immediately added some of the cool people I saw asking questions as friends on Facebook, liked the SFL page and was introduced to the online libertarian community. I added more and more libertarians and started devoting more and more of my time to the freedom philosophy.
I began writing for a UK based libertarian magazine, interned at a new media project called Define: Liberty magazine, and then then started blogging for SFL. I was doing it. I was involved. I felt like I was making a difference. Like I was contributing some value to the world. Like I found something I really enjoyed and was happily ambitious about. The blog content manager informed me of the Students For Liberty Campus Coordinator program for which I immediately applied and was later accepted. Now, liberty is my daily job.
Becoming a campus coordinator is simply the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I could spend this whole post talking about how SFL has enabled me to travel to amazing places for conferences, such as Las Vegas, San Diego, Austin, Dallas, Philadelphia, and DC. I could talk about how SFL has provided me with countless professional opportunities such as my work with Young Voices, which has gotten me published in the Daily Caller, Antiwar.com, The American Conservative, and other sites. I could talk about how SFL has made me a more confident, more passionate, more intelligent, and more skilled at advancing liberty. But I’m going to talk about the most valuable thing that SFL has ever and will ever provide for me: my friends.
I met the most sarcastic, amazing, and helpful New Jersey resident of all time. I’ve never had someone teach me so much about what it means to be an SFL leader.
I met a kick-ass blog content manager. She taught me about work ethic, dealing with change, and turning things in on time.
I met a caring anarcha-feminist who also happens to be one of the greatest writers and speakers in SFL. From her, I learned about being true to your principles despite all the haters.
I met the greatest SFL Regional Director ever who also happens to one be the most intelligent and hard-working people I’ve ever met. She has given me useful professional advice and assistance like no one else.
I met the most intelligent and dedicated individualist anarchist. Without him, I wouldn’t know nearly as much as I do about the freedom philosophy.
I met the coolest West Virginian ever. He’s taught me about professionalism and generally being awesome.
I met the funniest up and coming anarchist journalist. I wouldn’t be able to endure the negativity and sadness of social media without her.
I met the most awesome, SpongeBob watching, Misfits listening, comic reading anarchist. I don’t think I could make it through the day without talking and joking with her.
I met the most passionate straight edge, vegan, individualist anarchist who I love dearly. She’s gotten me through some of my worst emotional breakdowns and I can’t explain how grateful I am for her.
I met the nicest and funniest North American Executive Board member and Hofstra student. From him, I’ve learned about talking to people within the community, and being a responsible, but fun activist.
I met a super smart and fun soon-to-be economist. She’s taught me about professionalism and dedication.
I met a prison abolitionist who is the epitome of genius, empathy, and dance skills. I’ve never gone from such interesting, deep philosophical conversation to laughing until I cry, and back again with anyone else.
I met the most hard-working and fun-loving blonde Texan who also happens to be the single greatest liberty activist in the world. She has given me infinitely valuable professional and personal advice (and her Snapchat game is on point).
I met a superbly wonderful and kind feminist. From her, I’ve learned the most about humility.
I met the smartest, most fun cowboy who I would party with every weekend if I could. He’s shown me a bit about being amazing and inspiring despite horrible, horrible luck.
I met the smartest, most helpful and open-minded chemical bio-scientist. We’ve argued for hours about philosophy online and off and he’s made me reconsider my arguments like no one else.
I met the most creative and fun-loving anti-war activist. He taught me about being open and honest.
These friends have been the greatest gift of all.
Liberty gave me something to care about. Something to me ambitious about. Something to live for. Students For Liberty gave me a means to put that knowledge and passion to work. My friends have given me the information, inspiration, and love to make sure that knowledge and passion – to make sure my life – contributes to something valuable.
I can’t conceive of a greater gift.
