Activism in Academia

From the anti-war invasion of University Hall in 1969 to the 1979 Apartheid divestment rallies to the living wage sit-in at Mass. Hall a few years ago, Harvard students over the last few decades have rarely refused to cause a stir. This year, too, efforts to vocally carry on the tradition of ardent student activism at the College have been many and, for the most part, welcome. From four arrests in Miami to nudity in the name of animal rights, the College community has witnessed a respectable maintenance of its obligation to objection—if, at times, in the name of misguided goals. But, though students stood up this year for many salient social issues, there is, of course, still room for apathy.

One of the earliest—and most arousing—displays of commendable public outcry came far from Cambridge. Last December, a group of students followed Tom Hayden—the ultra-liberal ex-husband of Jane Fonda—to Miami on a trip funded by the Institute of Politics (IOP). The ostensible aims of the excursion were to observe a protest against the Fair Trade Agreement of the Americas and to “collect data.” However, the group’s innocuous observation quickly turned into active participation—and, unfortunately, involuntary detention by the local police. The incident prompted scrutiny of the IOP’s funding criteria. As we said in the wake of this incident, observing and even participating in protests are essential aspects of understanding the political process. We urged the IOP to continue current funding, as protest participation is a legitimate use of resources and an experience inimitable in the classroom. If the organization is committed to student activism—as it nobly purports—it will continue to support and encourage active participation.

In a less palatable display of dissent, the College was exposed to the bare bodies of bold protesters in the Square. This March, a group of daring demonstrators for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shed their inhibitions and stripped down for their cause. The rally spurred much criticism, as it was a display viewed by many as a perpetuation of PETA’s penchant for shock tactics. Though it’s difficult to denounce students for taking part in a protest, the PETA incident wasn’t worthy of undergraduates’ time. Students must be vigilant when it comes to differentiating between legitimate, worthy lobbying and over-the-top demonstrations. The latter only proves harmful to a group’s message, no matter how noble.

More recently, we saw the mobilization of many student groups to lobby for a Women’s Center. But while we appreciate the good intentions of all who rallied for the new facility, their efforts were misplaced. A Women’s Center is but a band-aid over the ever-present issue of gender inequality. Instead of mobilizing support for a seemingly separate but equal space for women, the groups should have channeled their activism into something more meaningful. Moreover, it’s unfortunate that the band of groups circumvented customary procedures of securing student space—obviously a highly valued commodity—as their wishes shouldn’t take priority over other groups asking for space.

Though these episodes of activism are just a few out of many, they’re representative of the prevalence of student activism on campus. While we may not always agree with their means of protest or their aspirations, we wholly support their good intentions. And students should continue to do more.

But one of the most oft-touted allegations against our generation is that it reeks of apathy. And while we can speak of admirable instances where students at the College defied that accusation, it’s certainly true that student activism on some issues—especially University-related—could be stepped up. Students at Harvard must remember that to complain of the status quo is not enough; they must be active in order to effect change. All too often, undergraduates bemoan University politics or policies and leave it at that. Harvard has never been home to the apathetic, and with the Harvard College Curricular Review and the landmark development in Allston both in full swing, we hope that students at the College will do more to engage in a dialogue with the administration over the coming years. Because as fun as it is to get naked in the Square for PETA, this University is at a crossroads, and we all need to be there to help guide it.