Activism in America shows it still has some fight left

Publication Date: 09/24/2007

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So maybe there's hope for activism after all.

After spending three years at college, I've been generally disappointed by the lack of interest in politics and social issues exhibited by our generation. But two recent events have provided me some hope that activism might not actually be completely dead.

The rally last week in Jena, La., along with the unfortunate Tasing of a student at University of Florida, highlight the fact that people in this country still demonstrate against injustice.

Last fall, at the high school in Jena, La., three racists hung nooses on a tree on campus that was "reserved" for white students to sit under. Naturally, racial tensions in the town escalated, and six black students allegedly assaulted a white student. According to news reports, the victim received a concussion and multiple abrasions to his face, but attended a school function the same day. The six students were arrested and charged with attempted murder. The deadly weapon the students used, according to authorities, was a pair of tennis shoes.

Now the students are facing decades of prison time for a high school fight. But a movement started to bring attention to the case of the "Jena 6." Last Thursday, more than 10,000 people descended on the town for a protest march against the injustice. Prominent Black-Americans, including Jesse Jackson and radio host Michael Baisden, were present to bring national attention to the latent racism that still exists in our nation.

At University of Florida last Monday, U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) was addressing questions posed by those attending. One student took the mic and started grilling Kerry. He was adamant in his assertion that Kerry actually won the 2004 presidential election against George Bush. "Amidst all these reports of phony, bogus stuff going on, how could you concede the election on the day?" He wanted to know why congress hasn't impeached Bush. "If you're so against invading Iran, why aren't you saying, ‘Impeach Bush now, before he invades Iran?'" He also wondered if Kerry was part of the Skull and Bones organization at Yale.

All three questions are very valid and poignant thoughts to ponder. Unfortunately, university police didn't think so, and tried to drag the student out of the auditorium. After resisting, he was Tasered for his troubles. (Check out multiple YouTube videos of the incident by searching "university Florida Taser.")

In a country where it seems to me that nobody takes any initiative to voice opposition against injustice or corruption, these two incidents have allowed me to feel that maybe, just maybe, there are people out there who actually have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.

The saga of the Jena 6 has become a symbol of the racism that still exists in our county's power structure. And when thousands of citizens felt the need to voice displeasure to the government, it reminded me of the things I've learned about the golden age of the civil rights movement in the '50s and '60s.

Then there is the courage of one student who wanted to ask some real questions to a senator and was electrically shocked for caring about the future of our country.

I hope the example that these two events have provided will give motivation to others in our country who are considering speaking out. There is nothing more purely democratic than loudly espousing your views to the public.

Perhaps the lull in activism is coming to an end. Or maybe the timing of these two incidents was a coincidence. I sincerely hope the former is true.

Michael Nolan is a senior in the School of Civil Engineering. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.nolan@purdueexponent.org.