I was in my first year of university when the student council called on students to protest a new registration system that was to be implemented. Organizers called for a sit-in for as long as would be deemed necessary to get their concerns heard. Students left classrooms at 9:00 am, taped a sign to their chair and joined others in a student lounge for the protest. I didn’t take part, partly because I was a first-year student just trying to keep my head above water, but more importantly I actually thought the changes to the registration system were beneficial.
Leaving the building later that day I heard my name being called and turned around to see a guy from my dorm. He invited me to join the sit-in. When I declined he remarked, “No, really, come join these guys. Free pizza is coming later." I don’t know what struck me first…his use of “these guys” rather than "us" to indicate who the protestors were, or thinking the lure of pizza was enough to get more students to join the cause.
Protest movements have been influential around the world in changing laws, expanding rights, and even toppling governments. Without individuals committed to a cause and being willing to suffer for it, the protests would have accomplished little. But in acts of opposition people have sat where they were told they couldn't, stared down tanks, and demanded change when they were denied access to vote. Often, the price has been high--loss of life, imprisonment, injury--just some of the costs exacted.
I recognize the fact I live a life that is privileged. I didn't have to fight for pay equity, or the right to vote, and I have always been able to sit where I wanted. Such simple things, but monumental efforts needed to be undertaken to make these happen for people that came before me. So individuals united, raised their voices, and were resolved to keep the effort going until change came. Generations have, and will continue, to be the beneficiary of their struggle and sacrifice.
Which makes me wonder about the role of protests in the future. Because although we continue to see those kinds of actions taking place, we are increasingly impacted by activism that requires no commitment and demands no sacrifice. It takes little effort other than clicking a box on a computer screen or hitting the like icon.
A woman representing an online group proudly announced that their efforts were successful in shutting down a popular event in a neighboring town. The group hadn't spoken with anyone from the community, and no one asked them to advocate on their behalf. They simply heard about the event, posted their objections to it, and after getting 25,000 likes on their page said they represented enough voices to force the organizer's hand. They didn't live in the town, had never attended the event, asked for no face-to-face meetings or discussions of any kind.
So what are community leaders, business owners and governments supposed to do? They are confronted by a faceless, nameless group who don't have the ambition to ask for a meeting or the courage to give their name. But they have pull, because to not give in opens up their target to vitriolic, vicious attacks. It's not truthful, but it doesn't matter. It's not civil, but few care.
But it's also not right, because it is diminishing the efforts of those who seek real change and are using methods at their disposal to communicate, to inspire and to mobilize a call to action…those who truly stand for something and are willing to put considered thought, real time and actual effort into bringing it about.
Being part of a protest movement shouldn't consist of being trendy or on-point. If we are simply hitting the like button or re-tweeting a post so we can consider ourselves part of "these guys" and haven't given proper consideration to the topic of protest, we are bringing dishonor to the courage of the men and women who gave everything they could to confront the most challenging issues of the day. Their gains were many, but their losses were too. Let's ensure that as we continue to use the power of protest the losses don't also include dignity, character, truth and common sense. That's my outlook.
