Welcome to Riot Pens, where GU and students dive into the layers of college protesting regarding recent events.
Israel and Hamas have opened the floor for various opinions, conversations and ways to spread awareness of what is happening. Throughout the past few months, many people online have endured watching the gruesome events take place on social media. Networking apps has grown into a tool that people use to spread awareness about specific issues happening across the globe. The events between Israel and Hamas caused great stress and discourse throughout the timeline.
College protests have recently played a pivotal role in shaping societal discourse and advocating for change. Police officers and university administrators have clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters on several college campuses, arresting students, removing encampments and threatening academic consequences. Many Zillennials are speaking up about the lines between performative activism and spreading awareness throughout this conflict.
“I was following a young journalist in Gaza over the last couple of days, and unfortunately, 14 of her family members were killed due to a residential bombing,” Journalist Nia Shumake tells GU. “She posted a video covering her own family’s murder, followed by another post about how important it is for everyday people to post and spread awareness.”
College protests are potent tools for challenging the status quo and holding institutions accountable. Whether advocating for policy reforms, demanding greater transparency, or confronting instances of injustice and discrimination, students are embracing the importance of standing for what they believe in and bringing attention to an issue that’s constantly becoming a greater issue. The public is witnessing a plethora of misinformation being posted on the timeline from public figures to everyday followers, which is harmful to the point of sharing these posts. College journalists and professors are taking this moment to shed light on what’s happening on the ground, affecting everyday students’ lives.
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From the Civil Rights Movement to anti-war protests, universities have often served as hubs of activism, forging students to mobilize for causes they believe in. By harnessing the collective power of young minds, college protests are challenging power structures, dismantling systemic inequalities, and advancing progressive agendas, thus contributing to broader movements for social justice and human rights.
“A lot of people who have been following the events that have been happening for a while now are starting to notice this rise of empathy now for Palestinian people and what’s going on with them, and are attributing it to being able to see what’s happening directly, and having sources that aren’t just like the news,” says Ziora Ajeroh, North Carolina A&T campus organizer.
By witnessing the passion and dedication of their peers, students are encouraged to become agents of change in their own right, instilling a sense of empowerment and agency. College protests are indispensable tools for fostering social awareness, promoting activism, and driving meaningful change. As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the importance of college protests in advancing social justice and democracy cannot be overstated.
About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.