There is much to be said in terms of activism, particularly in students. A collective sense of wielding the power to bring about great change to the world surrounding them thrives through the corridors of academia. From Vietnam, to the Women and Gay Rights movements, to the Iraq War, to rising college costs, there appears to be an understanding that a collection of voices, in unison in feeling opinion or reason, can shift the tides of persuasion to their side. That said, it has become evident that in the year 2017, activism and passions of college students across the spectrum have all but dissipated.
Largely in part to polarizing issues, as well as a contentious recent presidential election, a deep sense of responsibility has been called upon by a generation who has, in part, begun to understand the power of their voice on multiple given issues.
Take for example, the issue of controversial speakers, like Richard Spencer, Milo Yiannopolous and Ben Shapiro whose views and opinions have been argued to include inflammatory statements targeted at marginalized individuals including Muslims, undocumented persons and transgender individuals. The students of University of California at Berkeley, in particular, rallied in protest against controversial conservative commentator Milo Yiannopolous. In an article on student activism in USA Today, one sophomore was noted as someone not particularly involved in activism, but given the call made by other students to protest Yiannopolous’s commentary, she was “starting to change her mind.” This is of no coincidence, given what can be perceived as a significantly polarized national conversation.
With regards to the Oswego State campus, the call for students to advocate on issues of consequence to the world surrounding them. From climate change, to domestic abuse and sexual assault, and protecting students and demanding to make Oswego State a sanctuary campus, there is anything but a shortage of on-campus activism. It is important to recognize the future ramifications of record numbers of students taking charge and becoming activists. The generation of students that has once again brought activism and advocacy to the forefront will go on to become the leaders grappling with the issues that test the world they live in.
This active and forward approach holds the potential to set a precedent of which the national social, political, and economic conversation is dominated by community organized, grassroots activism will become the norm in which people arrive at the decisions and policies that become the law of the land.
The importance of the strengthening, as well as continuance, of students becoming active voices in their world cannot go understated. In the future, history will recall that college campuses, the town squares of the U.S. and their students, played a significant role in shaping the world around them through their rigorous activism and advocacy.
