It will be interesting to see how the calculus on how these conflicts affect the election. Reality is there are only 2 viable parties currently and neither one has a person worth supporting. This will create a younger generation that is further jaded.
While I am proud of younger folks taking a stand at University, I do wonder how naive, unrealistic, and impressionable some of these youth are? I think you can have a view on this and support the Palestinians without becoming radicalized in the process. I remember being involved myself in this kind of action when Bush Jr. re-invaded Iraq and looking back I was so worked up I thought the sky was falling, being a radical took over a lot of my identity.
I also think once you become aggressive, which some have, you lose the ability to influence others to see/respect your concerns. I guess I worry about them being manipulated by bad actors now, or moving forward. Unfortunately, this will affect their lives/careers and they could be putting themselves in harms way. While it is great for them to be calling attention to the unjust genocide I wonder if it would be more effective to write/publish scholarly articles and essays on this time in history, outlining the history that lead up to this? You know most will just see this as a group of angry privileged wealthy leftist who have been brainwashed by their radical teachers. The other disturbing reality is the radical Islamic world, such as Hamas, Iran and their factions, and/or your average Palestinians still want them dead along with the rest of America and the West.
I guess what I am trying to say is one can feel compassion for the innocent in this mess, without investing your full heart and identity to a cause that is complex. I worry that those youth believe they know everything, and are downplaying how dangerous and complicated this issue is, and are being manipulated in some ways. Its more like you cannot oversimplify a solution here, it takes a full on diplomatic effort, and being angry is not always the most effective. A calm and measured resistance opens up the issue for more to see, for more to question. This microcosm of resistance does cause a problem for the Zionists that want to control the optics, the protesters have to be very careful about how their movement appears when you zoom out and look at it, and to not be baited by bad actors to discredit their message.
Perhaps I am wrong to feel like they should temper their idealism, young folks are idealistic, but I know how it usually ends.
I still commend them for speaking up and I hope they have a clear, peaceful, and organized message as the world is watching.
If they really want to protest the university(s) use of their tuition dollars, they should drop out and stop paying them. A mass resignation.
Absolutely!!becoming 'radicalized' against your government who is committing genocide while lying and gaslighting you into thinking you're an anti semite and a radical is a good thing.
the status quo is radical. opposing it is not.
becoming 'radicalized' against your government who is committing genocide while lying and gaslighting you into thinking you're an anti semite and a radical is a good thing.
the status quo is radical. opposing it is not.
The old Ben Shapiro "they're not real Jews"
Sure, but obviously there is a spectrum of what is radical. If simply opposing this war and calling for a ceasefire is radical than I am also radical.
I think I would draw the line somewhere that students should not physically attack other students for their cultural views or views on this conflict, and that students should not blow up administrative buildings or something like that. Not am I suggesting this is happening, but I feel like it could if tensions continue to escalate.
The crux of my post is simply, if one is passionate about a cause and wants to effect change, there is a tact necessary to be persuasive and not lose sight of an organized way to convey your stance. When emotions run hot things can get convoluted. Additionally, it is important to view the situation realistically so that the expectations of what you can accomplish are not fantastical, or better yet, have a tiered approach of high level goals and smaller more achievable steps to build to those larger goals.
Lastly, I have become apathetic. While I want to better the world I have come to accept that many things are out of my control and if my happiness is hinged to a narrow lens of perception that wants one thing or another to change for the positive, I will probably be very unhappy. I think it is great to be informed, and to speak your mind true to your heart's desires, this takes courage and I commend it. But sacrificing all the other aspects of your life to live as a bleeding heart is in my opinion a bit of folly. I guess I feel as I aged my activism has taken on a different measure - a balance in all things kind of approach. My political views are only a part of my overall views and I have more patience and tolerance/acceptance of the flawed world than I used to. I also view humans/societies/nations as mostly highly flawed. But I have to get along in this world and while I attempt to counter all the injustice, it is not at the expense of my overall mental state. Call me selfish. We all need music/art/laughter/friends & lovers/entertainment/drugs etc. to distract us temporarily from the evils of the world.
Should I take a bigger stand? Possibly, but I'm kind of done trying to save the world or right the wrongs of mankind. I can do what I can in my own thinking and personal interactions, but I do believe personally, in a peaceful approach. I know at times peaceful approaches are not a viable option.
Back to the topic of the university students, it just feels to me that they could fall into a bit of tunnel vision of the cause. The cause is righteous and they have my support. Perhaps I am wrong, I am not there with them. Its more like I worry about "group think" regardless of what side you are on. And I also think adopting reactionary and hateful views closes down the opportunity for genuine discourse, which I believe is more effective at change.