By
The Wildcat Opinions Board
Nationwide, student activism is on the rise. While the tactics and issues of the activist groups may not fit the mainstream, it is vital that we continue to be tolerant of them. Activism is sometimes the only way to bring attention to an issue. No one in university administration would ever have paid attention to Students Against Sweatshops if the lot of them hadn't stormed President Likins' office last year. The incident made it clear that the voice of the student body couldn't be ignored.
Throughout these movements, disdain for the powers that be is endemic. Student claims of corruption at all levels of government belie their innate distrust in the status quo. The public, in general, no longer believes that government has its best interests at heart. Left to its own, the popular perception goes, government will serve itself, and leave the people out of the equation entirely.
However, the most important objection to student activism is the question, "Can students actually change things?" The answer is an unqualified yes. Even if student activism doesn't always show immediate concrete results, the consequences can be far-reaching. Many issues important in mainstream American politics today can trace their roots to student activism. It's difficult to say where civil rights or feminism would be without the universities.
Bumper stickers used to say "Think globally, act locally," and there may be some substance to that approach. It's entirely possible that recycling your single Mountain Dew can isn't going to have any effect on the greenhouse effect. But if everyone recycles their can, an impact will soon be seen. Similarly, a movement on one campus for monitoring of accused sweatshops isn't likely to have a great impact. But once the ball gets rolling, and once dozens of universities join in, something can change.
Social change requires a critical mass of support. As in many social interactions where the net effect on society will be positive, those that take up the banner first, and most devoutly, will be the ones that face the consequences of the movement. The civil rights movement could never have taken hold in mainstream American politics if it were not for the sacrifices of the men and women that first brought the issues to the attention of the public. They were arrested, sometimes beaten, always despised- but they won. These initiators are among the true heroes of America. Those that stand up for what they believe in, and stand up before the rest of the country, deserve our respect, despite their cause.
Should we support student activist movements? Not always. Like any group, these movements can be misguided. What is important is that we remain tolerant of these groups. Even if we don't agree with them now, it's entirely possible that they'll change our minds in the future. We need to give them that opportunity.
