“Everyone’s rights are the same, student or not, your voice will be heard”, stated one 19-year-old McGill student in reference to the tuition hikes.
Students took to the streets on March 22 to strike and speak out against tuition hikes. Students of all different backgrounds united on common ground, utilized their rights as citizens and stoop up for their beliefs.
Some might deem the inexperience or young age of students as inhibitors to their ability to affect social change. I disagree. Activists are defined bydictionary.com as being “vigorous advocates of a cause.” This means that power dynamics and social standings aside, mere passion can ignite change.
In the democratic society, people’s voices are respected, no matter who they are. We, as citizens, can unite in our shared beliefs, and funnel this collective spirit to take action.
Surrounded with information in university, students can stay informed and are constantly challenged to back up their opinions. Morally driven, contentious and often even rebellious, students are the critical analysts of the world and are the catalysts of change.
For example, the #6party at McGill University represented a group of students demanding the university to take action. Their occupation of the James Administration building drew considerable attention from peers, faculty and university staff. Regardless of the criticism they received, it is undeniable that they were able to exert a certain force on campus, demonstrating the extent and capabilities of student activism. As one 24-year-old female student from UQAM shared at the strike Thursday, “Heck, we’re not sitting on the couch! I’m here because I care!”
As UC Berkeley professor Edward Sampson expressed in an article, “Youth has always been a period of restlessness, of searching for unbounded energy.” It is these generations that will comprise the future. Student activism varies widely, and can range from topics on education issues, humanitarian and equity rights, or foreign relations. If the goal is to disseminates passion or a shared identity, anyone can speak on these topics.
In terms of activism, it is not a matter of who the activist is, because each person has an equal right to have and express his or her own opinion. We live in a society where freedom of speech is welcomed, and that allows citizens of all kinds, including students, to express their opinion. Otherwise, we’d be living in a caste system where our speech is predisposed by our social standings. If the activism of students is deemed disrespectful, excessive, or disruptive, then it is not a question of student activism, but of peaceful activism, which should be observed no matter the circumstances.
Cover photo by Haidan Dong.
