TheUnstitchd
Second-guessing and believing in themselves is a quality the younger generation always had. As a student is your duty to think for yourself and fight for what you believe in. The hope of the future always lays on the shoulders of free thinkers and of people who are not afraid to say what they believe in. So let’s see what are some of the most famous student protests of all times and if you have something worth protesting for or against what should you do in order to achieve success in the most efficient way. Let’s not forget that a student protest is not something you do for fun!
The protest of the Greensboro Four (1960)
Known as one of the most successful sit-ins movements of the Civil Rights Movement, the Woolworth’s occupation began with four young African-American students: Joseph, Franklin, Ezell, and David, studying at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technological State University. Prior to the protest, Joseph tried to use the Greensboro Greyhound bus station and he was refused. So he and his friends went to Woolworth diner sat down, asked for coffee and they were refused. They chose not to leave and everyone lost their minds. Other students protesting joined in and so one of the biggest protests against discrimination was born.
- The Tiananmen Square protests (1989)
One of the most tragic student walkout and protests in the world took place in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The then-recent revolutions taking place all over Europe, against different Communist Parties challenged the Chinese students. The started calling for accountability of the corrupt political class and for economical reform. Starting with a hunger strike, thousands of students occupied the Beijing Square. Receiving orders from the Party who declared Martial Law, the troops advanced and opened fire on the demonstrators and on the bystanders. To this day this is known as one of the most tragic genocides of all times, the number of deaths not being accounted for.
- The Velvet Revolution (1989)
The fall of the Berlin Wall was the biggest sign of the fall of communism. This was proof that Russia was losing the Cold War. So a series of revolutions across European countries that were under the Iron Curtain started taking place. 8 days after the fall of the Berlin Wall the Velvet Revolution started with thousands of students protesting in the streets of Prague. Taking their stand for 11 days forced the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia to step down and Vaclav Havel became President. This student-led movement is considered one of the most successful protests, entirely non-violent (giving the name of the Velvet Revolution).
- The Vietnam War protests
The sending of troops to Vietnam was one of the most criticized decisions of the United States. From France to Australia people opposed this war. As a sign of rebellion against a system that was forcing them to fight in a war they didn’t believe in, students started to manifest their right to protest. They lit their draft cards and used them to light candles with. When asked about their gesture, the students said that they were ” lighting a candle for peace on Earth ”. The draft stopped in 1973 when the United States pulled its troops from Vietnam.
What can YOU do: You have a cause that you believe in. Maybe the officials of your University are corrupt. Maybe the school system has issues no one tries to fix. If you want to protest, don’t forget that your education doesn’t take a break. Be sure you are up to date with your classes. If you struggle with your time between protests and assignments keep in mind that you can get essay writing help from Edubirdie and maintain your progress in class.
It’s important to keep your protest civil and not to harm anyone. Not you, not other people and definitely not your educational progress.
Students all over the world took a stand for what they believed in. Political changes, anti-war movements and social injustice were just some of the subjects of protests and revolutions that young people just like you fought for.
We live in a more civilized and democratic world thanks to them. We are lucky enough not to have to fight the same battles as they did. But this doesn’t mean that there are no injustices or social problems that are worth attention. We owe it to those young believers to keep making this World a better one!