We’ve seen it happening all over the world: Egypt, Libya and London to name a few. The people are in revolt—unsatisfied with their governments and the people that run their countries. As Americans sat and watched from afar, many asked if our country would soon face the same thing.
On September 17th, a small group of people gathered together to protest “corporate greed” and the “lack of legal repercussions” behind the financial crisis on Wall Street in New York City at Zuccotti Park. Since then, the movement has spread like wildfire to other cities—including Chicago.
Though their vision lacks focus, these people, or “occupiers” as they are being called, are angry, passionate–and loud. I’ve heard them many-a-times as they’ve stormed up and down the streets shouting various chants, collecting more protesters along the way.
But one huge part of the puzzle is missing. For some reason, college students have not played as much of a role in these protests as one would expect.
Looking back on the protests of the 1960s and 1970s, we realize just how important of a role the youth played in those movements. They were the ones that left class and organized sit-ins, boycotts and marches in hopes of making a difference in a country in which they wanted to be treated equally.
Students of today have no less of a reason to be angry. Just last year, student loan debt surpassed the total amount of credit card debt for the very first time ever, according to CBS News. Tell me that doesn’t sound alarming.
Sure, as students we have plenty of other things to worry about. Some may think these protests are a complete waste of time–and they very well may be. But we should at least educate ourselves and not be blind to the things that are going on.
This has potential to become something pivotal for our generation; we just have to start believing that speaking out really can lead to change.
“Occupy Colleges” is a movement in cooperation with “Occupy Wall Street” that is aiming to get more college students educated and involved with the protests. They are currently organizing protests and “solidarity teach-ins” at campuses all over the country.
Want to speak out and become involved? Check out their website at http://occupycolleges.org/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OccupyColleges.