Former
Obama advisor to green jobs, Van Jones, while speaking on David
Axelrod’s Institute of
Politics at the University of Chicago, lectured his
liberal colleagues on the current situation involving safe spaces on
campus. The previous week, Axelrod hosted Corey Lewandowski, former campaign
manager to Trump, while students protested the event and believed that allowing
Lewandowski a platform to speak may "normalize" Trump's presidency.
This thought seems to be a completely irrational fear over words. We must
question, not police, ideologies that do not agree with our own. I would prefer
to hear all opposing views, giving myself the ability to question and reinforce
my belief system while gaining a more realistic, complete view of our
situation. Axelrod pointed out that protesting is part of our democracy and I
would argue that it is an essential tool we must use when necessary.
One thing
to consider is the purpose of protests; I feel that we are using it
counterproductively and only weakening our argument. If you attempt to shut
down everything you disagree with, you are being close-minded and people will
begin to take you less seriously. Jones had a great perspective about the
true adversity his parents had to face during the vicious civil rights battles
in our country. These battles are not comparable to the fight on campus today. One
quote from Jones that stuck with me was, "You are creating a kind of
liberalism that the minute it crosses the street into the real world is not
just useless, but obnoxious and dangerous." I completely agree with this
and understand the scary path that college campuses are heading down. If we are
unable to find a way to present and defend our arguments in a logical,
respectable and responsible manner, we are doomed to continue slowly
dismantling free speech on our campuses. Over time, this will certainly carry
over into everyday life, ultimately leaving our future generations with a
limited perspective and inability to think, or speak rationally, having to use protest
as our only defense mechanism.
One example
of using protest inefficiently was during a Georgetown University sit in during
2015, when students successfully pressured officials to change the name of two
buildings that were named after former school presidents who sold slaves for campus funds. While the sit in was aimed at fighting racial inequality, settling for building name changes hardly seems like a major victory. Changing the name of a building does not change the history; in
fact, it may only hide history that we should confront together. Selling humans for funding is certainly one of the many disturbing lessons from recent human history. As despicable
as it was, I view it as a reminder of how far we are capable of advancing in such short
time. I would argue that Georgetown has evolved for the better, becoming an increasingly diverse, inclusive campus open for anyone to attend and receive a first rate education. While I understand how this may be upsetting and controversial, I cannot
help but question the effect of such protest. How are we missing the
point so badly? We do not have to celebrate or hide our past, we should learn
from it and attempt to make more meaningful gains for people everywhere.
The sit in for racial inequality at Georgetown University
Haidt, Jonathan.
"Van Jones’ Excellent Metaphors About the Dangers of Ideological
Safety." Heterodox Academy. N.p., 2 Mar. 2017. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
"Student Activism and Free
Speech." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2016. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context,
frccwc.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/HMQTQY977146368/OVIC?u=west59484&xid=eada658e.
Accessed 9 Apr. 2017
Riecken, Astrid. 2015. Washington, DC. Time.com. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
I definitely agree with where you're coming from regarding college students and protesting. With this last election, everyone was so against Trump coming into office but had very little legitimate facts to back in up. It was the same for many people on the other side as well. Many voters were against Hilary based on scandalous behaviors that came about in the media, but didn't understand her politics. Without educating ourselves on the topics we are protesting, we end up with ideas that are counterproductive. Do you think that maybe students should be more integrated in the debate topics instead of just protesting?
ReplyDeleteHello Patrick,
ReplyDeleteI liked the question you used for the title of this post, and think it is an important one. My short answer would be that the loudest voices are protesting to get their own way. I wonder if the most recent campus protests are solely students attending that college, or are others joining on the fight? I just learned a certain college is protesting Chick Filet from moving onto campus stating they want to protect their “safe space.” Chick Filet provides a tasty and, healthy option for people who need to eat on the go. People who don’t like it have the freedom to get their food elsewhere. I agree violent protests are counterproductive. I compare it to resorting to the laziness of using vulgar language instead of thinking about what one feels, and believes, and then expresses it in a way that can make a difference. The example you provided of the “sit in” is very insightful. If you were given the task to organize a peaceful protest, what issue or topic would be worthy for you to accept this challenge?
Hi Patrick,
ReplyDeleteYour article brings up many great facts. I love the example of them changing the name of the college due to it being named after someone who sold slaves. I believe that is an important example. Students used their voices to state that was not ok to have a building named that, and their freedom of speech helped them out, and they were able to accomplish what they set out to do. I also agree we should not hide the past and learn and grow from it. That was an excellent way to sum it up. I would like to know more on your views of protest that become destructive and violent and see how it plays into this topic. I look forward to reading more