 | "In the wake of the gun violence walk outs and demonstrations nationwide, the public dialogue surrounding student activism has picked up its pace, repeating a very American cycle of history." |
In the wake of the gun violence walk outs and demonstrations nationwide, the public dialogue surrounding student activism has picked up its pace, repeating a very American cycle of history. Students are once again raising their fists against a system and demanding that it meet them halfway. Watching the student protests in response to the Parkland shooting feels unsurprisingly similar to reading about Civil-Rights era politics and protest. As students in present-day America are fighting for a place in the conversation of their lives, it is clear that generations upon generations have waved the same flag of passion and tradition through their voices in their own time. Throughout history, student activism has become a staple of the American education experience, each generation now associated with their own uprising. Politics are ever-evolving and progressing. When progress is needed, it is also important to look back on the deep roots of the past.
Some of the earliest youth uprising were workers strikes. In the Industrial Revolution, women and children worked long, harrowing hours in unfit environments. Many American teenagers were forced into the industry and education became a luxury of the rich. Young people were heavily involved in the historic mill walkouts of the 1830s, Newsboy strike of 1899, and the huge worker uprisings (most of whom were young immigrant women) of 1909. Those strikes set the stage for hundreds of social movements that utilized successful walkouts and boycotts, many of which defined entire periods of history.
Some of the earliest youth uprising were workers strikes. In the Industrial Revolution, women and children worked long, harrowing hours in unfit environments. Many American teenagers were forced into the industry and education became a luxury of the rich. Young people were heavily involved in the historic mill walkouts of the 1830s, Newsboy strike of 1899, and the huge worker uprisings (most of whom were young immigrant women) of 1909. Those strikes set the stage for hundreds of social movements that utilized successful walkouts and boycotts, many of which defined entire periods of history.
As more youths starting attending school, similar tactics were used to force administrative leadership changes and many students would walk out of school to participate in the labor strikes during the Great Depression. Moving into the Civil-Rights era, teenagers fronted the lines of some of the most influential protests in American history. Activism and revolt practiced especially by students of color shaped much of the education system we know today; the Brown v. Board of Education decision being among the most prominent. The case was filed after the walkout of over 450 students of color from a segregated school in Virginia over terrible conditions and classroom crowding. The walkout inspired many others, and eventually ended with the desegregation of schools.
One of the other pivotal acts of student protest during the Civil Rights movement was the Children’s Crusade of 1963. The Children’s crusade was a non-violent demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama of over a thousand students walking through town. They were met with hoses, dogs, and police cars. They were jailed but still perilous throughout the entire struggle. The Crusade demanded the attention of international eye and brought acknowledgement to the young people of the movement. The success of the Civil Rights movement greatly inspired students to act on their own suffering, and to bring about change through activism.
Post-sixties activism evolved against the right-wing politics of the time. As congress made budget and program cuts on schools, the feminist liberation movement started to take full effect, and students were often in middle of it all, leading revolts and counter-protests in response to homophobia and sexism in schools, and in the leaders of the government. In a country with as many countless political problems as the United States, activism has become a pivotal part of a student’s experience in school.
Today, students are demanding change on both national and community levels. Students guided the public eye to the politically disregarded issue of mass shootings and assault weapons that are currently being legally circulated throughout the country. Once again, students are fighting for their right to a safe learning environment, just as they had less than sixty years ago. In this country, you learn that if you want something, than you must act upon that desire to achieve something. Young people have assumed that mindset and assimilated it into their lives, legacy and education throughout the history of the United States.
It is no surprise that we can band together to create enormous change in our governments on a micro and macro level. What is really surprising is the fact that anyone would doubt that we would, seeing as the path has been laid before us time and time again.
Post-sixties activism evolved against the right-wing politics of the time. As congress made budget and program cuts on schools, the feminist liberation movement started to take full effect, and students were often in middle of it all, leading revolts and counter-protests in response to homophobia and sexism in schools, and in the leaders of the government. In a country with as many countless political problems as the United States, activism has become a pivotal part of a student’s experience in school.
Today, students are demanding change on both national and community levels. Students guided the public eye to the politically disregarded issue of mass shootings and assault weapons that are currently being legally circulated throughout the country. Once again, students are fighting for their right to a safe learning environment, just as they had less than sixty years ago. In this country, you learn that if you want something, than you must act upon that desire to achieve something. Young people have assumed that mindset and assimilated it into their lives, legacy and education throughout the history of the United States.
It is no surprise that we can band together to create enormous change in our governments on a micro and macro level. What is really surprising is the fact that anyone would doubt that we would, seeing as the path has been laid before us time and time again.