Week four- Peace Movements

This week’s lecture struck a chord with me.  Everyone knows that many famed protests have been at the hands of united students.  The Berkeley protests, Tiananmen Square, the Greensboro Sit-in, etc… but to really consider the impact that so many young people have made, frankly, made me feel a bit inadequate.  I have not participated in any major political movements.  I vote, and sometimes volunteer as a pollworker, pay taxes, and sign petitions.  But that really isn’t enough.  The world has not changed.  While the Red Scare and civil rights equality are not major concerns in the US these days- which is when we last saw major student activism in the US, our world governments are still considerably lacking.  I am aware of this.  I am not the only one.  I know there is suffering and that injustices are committed daily across our planet and in my own backyard.  So I wonder, what has changed with student thought?  Why are we, as a generation, so self consumed that we idly sit by, watch CNN, and sign with sadness, rather than taking our voices and opinions to the public?  And demand a change?  
 

I considered the U.C. Davis students that were pepper sprayed during their peaceful sit in.  I’m proud of them.  Not necessarily for the political action, but rather their action of character.  They stood up for what they believe to right, fair, and good in a peaceful manner.  Their bravery and larger scope of society in our egocentric world inspires me.

Young, idealistic, with ample time and lack of responsibilities, students can be a force to reckon with.