Activist dances for social change

Her dancing and colorful, skimpy outfits make her appear extremely carefree as she draws cold stares from onlookers on Locust Walk. But Kathy Change has the weight of the world on her shoulders. As founder and leader of the revolutionary Transformation Party, Change is on a crusade to free Americans from socially legislated morality and the restraints of capitalism. She said earlier this week that she believes individuals should be more free in how they express themselves. "People need to stop being anti-body, anti-sex," said Change, not stopping a moment from her flowing dance steps. "It's a holdover from Puritanism. People need to do more fun things. It's people being happier, that's what it's all about." Change was married to Frank Chang, a leader in the Asian-American Cultural Movement and a professor at San Francisco State University. During her five years with him, she became very involved in his cause and learned much about activism, as well as acquiring a better sense of her Asian ethnicity. "He was my cultural hero," she said. "I devoted a lot of time to the movement. I was happy to have an identity." But Change said she feels that the ethnic movements are concentrating on the wrong types of issues. "They need to stop focusing on what's different and come together," she said. "I think the melting pot is a great idea." After she and Chang separated, she became involved in her own movement to implement goals of change -- such as drug legalization and preservation of the environment. She even legally altered her name from Chang to Change. "It's more descriptive of what I am interested in," she said. Change said if Americans do not reform current society, it will be destroyed. "We have to change or we're up for some unpleasant times ahead," she said. "We're about to lose everything. The economy's about to collapse." Change attributes the economy's eminent doom to the national debt and the unreliability of foreign investment. "We don't own a scrap if you subtract the national debt," she said. Change, who on sunny days is a common feature in front of Meyerson Hall, distributes literature, talks to inquisitive passers-by and waves flags that advertise peace and environment to bring publicity to her movement. Around campus, Change is remembered for her eccentric attire. On warm days, she can be found sporting a shell bikini top and loincloth. When it is cold, she wears a leotard, she says. "People say, 'Put some more clothes on and people would take you more seriously," she said, adding that she does not heed their advice because of her pro-body, pro-freedom views. Change is mainly supported by her boyfriend and has a studio at 38th and Lancaster streets which she calls "Punk Rock Row." She also performs massage and makes her costumes in her spare time. One of Change's main goals is to become the "universal write-in candidate in any state or any country." "Anytime there's a ballot and a bunch of people they don't want to vote for, they can write in my name," she said. "Eventually I'll be the municipal clerk and the local dogcatcher." Change said that if individuals would like to help further her cause, they should start by becoming more optimistic in their everyday lives. "People can talk about a positive, creative vision of the future," she said. "It's the only thing worth talking about in my opinion." She said they could also organize programs and talk to the media about the cause. "The power of students is limitless," she added with a grin.