What we can learn from our European cousins
It is nomination time yet again for students, in the hope of filling the numerous vacant positions in YUSU and other student organisations. Yet as they await the unlikely stampede of bright, exuberant and enthusiastic nominees, the majority of the student body cower in the sidelines, retreating to the safe realms of prevailing student apathy.
However, the lack of enthusiasm shown towards elected office sheds light on a larger problem, namely the general lack of responsibility or awareness to political issues shown by the majority of students at York. Only a marginally small number fall under the sphere of being ‘politically minded.’
Are we so satisfied with our university experience that we do not feel the need for active participation in the political arena? Maybe we are more career orientated; is being a student protester a bad career move? Maybe we just have it too easy compared to our European counterparts. We wait in the hope that beyond graduation, we will slip happily into the ‘real world,’ acquiring successful jobs and prosperity. But what if the ‘real world’ is one of dark instability? At a time of economic adversity, unnecessary violent conflict and environmental crisis, many students are dejected, filled with pessimism over their future.
Things are heating up across Europe, with French students proving that revolutionary attitudes certainly did not expire in the eighteenth century. President Nicolas Sarkozy was forced to postpone controversial education reforms after high school students fought in running battles with police. Authorities enforced blockades at school entrances to curb the outcry of chanting, whilst branding the students as ‘anarchists.’
As the availability of graduate jobs spirals to an all time low, que a renewed sense of radicalism from university graduates. The fear is of a European-wide student uprising, following the angry rebellion by unemployed graduates in Greece. The cost of damage nationwide since December last year has reportedly exceeded $1.3 billion. Their actions may well be anarchic, but it shows that students on the continent are not afraid to take action.
Back home, demonstrations over the Gaza conflict, which involved twenty universities nationwide, shows the initial sparks of political awareness in England. We aught to also commend the dedication of Tom Daltas, who endured a three day hunger strike here on the York campus last month, highlighting awareness of ecotarianism. Daltas rignited York’s passion for student activism, despite mockery by some for the method of his campaign.
Now is not the time to be apathetic, but to join the exciting increase in student activism which is evocative of previous decades. The 1968 protests, a result of extreme social change, began primarily on university campuses. Can you imagine today’s students storming Heslington Hall and turfing out the Univeristy executives from their swivelling chairs? It happened in ‘68.
The consequential waves of the ‘68 generation swept the entire population. It is not good enough to sit and complain; students at York need to give up their time to pursue change. Online campaigning, whilst an invaluable source of the modern age, does not go far enough. I am talking about real action, not merely joining a Facebook group.
Hopefully, York will see a large turn out at Central Hall later this month as students convince the university to adopt an ethical investment policy. The Amnesty demonstration is relying on students to take action and recognise that our tuition fees are funding immoral industries.
All actions are part of a grand vision of student mobilisation; from the extremes of hunger strikes and student rallies, to simply joining your JCR or the GSA. Seemingly small measures can yield big results. Do not be put off by apathetic pessimism. Follow the European vibe and let York campus become the frontline battleground for student change.
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