The spirit of being a student has lost its resonance in the 21st century.
The ideals of peace and freedom are not the focus of life anymore. In taking stock of the world and looking at our history, one has to wonder why UH students aren’t more politically active.
Looking back at the ’60s and ’70s, one cannot help but feel ashamed to be a contemporary university student. Where did the student movements and protests go? Is opposition to political and social orthodoxy really that old-fashioned?
When researching past student protests, it’s easy to find one ideal common to all of them: the government should serve the people – not the other way around.
The newest generation of students has no interest in anything that requires a struggle. Students are painfully ignorant of domestic and world issues, and’ UH is a community with little or no student influence.
Maybe high tuition fees, student debts and the neglect of student rights are not sufficient reasons to raise an eyebrow.
Why are students at other universities more involved? Are they more hip?
In 2008, news media outlets were flooded with student groups around the world protesting the Gaza War. Walking across the UH campus in December, however, it was unclear whether anyone was aware of the conflict.
Maybe exams, work responsibilities and personal activities prevented the students from monitoring the news. Several student organizations tried to raise awareness, but UH needs more student involvement.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who approves of the attacks on Gaza, made several public visits to the U.S. last October. He was met with strong protests at campuses such as the University of Chicago, Tulane University and the University of Kentucky.
Why did Olmert give speeches in places filled with groups opposed to his government? Put simply, student voices mobilize the country’s politics.
So why aren’t more students mobilizing?
Bissan Rafe is a biology senior and may be reached at [email protected]
