As we have recently studied social movements and student activism throughout the 1960’s, I began to ask myself the question, is student activism dead?

Student activism in the 60’s was very prominent, and was a huge force to be reckoned with. It had finally began to put pressure on the government to address institutionalized racism, and also been the catalyst to the end of the Vietnam War.  Yet today, in a time where social injustices are high, students are incompetent and callous.  As the generation raised on Jackass and American Pie, we have seen a drastic change in university culture in the past decade.  To my generation, wars are what happened to our grandparents and human rights violations are things that happen in other foreign countries. We have mistakenly taken the stability and freedom of our democracy for granted and have become the most passive and politically ineffective generation in living memory. Law makers purposely overlook the interests of young people because they are aware that voters ages 18-24, are the least likely to turn out to vote.  The student riots of 2010 showed promise in regards to progress for change, but were very much short lived.  Our generation of students need to wake up and realize that change will not come unless we put an end to these injustices.

Student Activism in the 1960’s

Student Activism Now