Actions speak louder than words

Hiba Ahmad
Contributing Columnist

A discussion merrits awareness, not much else. A discussion of global problems is necesarry however it’s action that is needed in order for these problems to have any change. This past summer I had the opportunity to broaden my horizon and travel to countries that I’d only read about in a history textbook. While I was lost in wanderlust in England, France and Germany, I also kept myself informed with what was happening in the rest of the world. The increase in violence in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict throughout the summer was my main concern. Seeing images of innocent civilians being buried under rubble due to decades of cultural intolerance not only broke my heart but ignited a genuine interest in the topic.

Amazingly, I stumbled across one pro-Palestinian/anti-war protest in each country. Young adults from all backgrounds crowded the streets and passionately voiced their opinions. Sure, having tear gas sprayed into your face or running from the Parisian police wasn’t fun, but we were there making a difference. It’s amazing to see how finally the voices of thousands of French citizens were heard, and today French legislation  is conducting a vote to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.

When I returned to the U.S. I was humbled to see the massive protest that took place in Washington, D.C., regarding the same topic. I was invigorated by the sight of fearlessness the protesting young adults displayed along with their passion for fighting for what they felt strongly about.

The conflict in Palestine and Israel is only one of the many that wreak havoc in the world today. Now I find myself sitting with fellow students, patiently listening to them talk about the issues they’re passionate about. It’s reassuring to see that students are willing to step out of their realities to focus on global issues; however, talking is simply not enough. I can’t help but feel disappointed when people express that they are not involved in any outlets to combat the issues they feel so strongly about.

With the advent of social media like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, students believe that simply posting a picture or tweeting their argument is enough. As a population we need to realize that being aware of issues and acting upon them are two different things. If we look back into history we are able to see a plethora of examples of student activism.

Think back to the students at Kent State University who organized anti-war protests on their campus in the midst of the Vietnam War. They were brutally shut down by the Ohio National Guard. Four students were killed, nine were injured, and one was permanently paralized. That didn’t stop protests. Throughout the nation, students continued to voice their pro-peace arguments across college campuses in an organized fashion.

However, some small accounts of student activism have taken place at VCU and local campuses like Howard University in D.C. The protests were regarding the current situation of police brutality in Ferguson, Missouri. Students peacefully stood in the Compass with their hands raised or with signs that said “Don’t shoot” to support the families that have been affected by police brutality not only in Ferguson, but throughout the United States.

This is a step forward in the right direction, but it’s not enough. Students who feel passionately about a topic need to utilize their skill sets to professionally advocate. If you’re a writer, then write for the campus paper or a local news agency. If you’re an artist create pieces that you can display around campus. Talk with professors or faculty members on campus to see if there are any organizations that need volunteers.

The time has passed to simply sit back and watch the world go up in flames. Our generation will be at the frontline in battling the rising issues that are only beginning to make headlines today. As a society of intellectuals we need to utilize the tools like social media to raise awareness, but it can’t stop there. Hands need to get dirty and voices need to be raised. We are the future leaders of the world; it’s time to rise to the occasion.