Protesting for a better tomorrow

By Katy Lackey and Katie Lent

As seniors approaching graduation, we look back and struggle with the notion that our country has been at war for the entirety of our college careers. The past four years have provided the opportunity to protest, challenge government policies and question what it means to be a participating global citizen.

We have lived with the elephant in the room: the war in Iraq. Many of us think the war doesn't affect us. Our generation is fortunate enough not to live under the fear of a draft, and many don't know the feeling of having a loved one fighting in the Middle East. But it's false to say we're not affected. We're allowing this war to pass without educating ourselves or opening dialogue.

We do, however, believe our generation cares a great deal. Perhaps the lack of conversation is because the war has become so complicated. With the increasing destruction and destabilization of Iraq, we acknowledge that we cannot simply pull troops out, but we also know that the course our administration has taken thus far is not working. Reasons for entering Iraq are no longer our only concern, but rather, where to go from here. This sense of confusion, combined with the lack of education, results in a false sense that student activism isn't effective.

Last week's article, "Protesting not what it used to be," claims that protest is dead because it doesn't work. History shows that in fact protest does have an impact: think Vietnam, Civil Rights and recent challenges to proposed immigration laws. Perhaps protest itself can't change everything, but it does have the power to bring people together to fight for justice.

Our responsibility as Americans doesn't end with elections. It's crucial that we take the responsibility to ensure that those elected carry out the will of the people.

There comes a time when we have to stand up together for what is right. Regardless of the political banter and the complication of the situation, we must not lose sight of what's important. Thousands of people are dying. As global citizens, we must stand up. We attended the march in San Francisco with Students Together Organizing for Peace (STOP). We were shocked and disappointed to notice the lack of student involvement.

So, we challenge you to stand up for what you believe in, for those who have died in this war and for those still fighting. Regardless of your stance on the war, we challenge you to educate yourself, to reflect on the effects of war, to engage in dialog and, above all, to take action and join the movement.

Katie Lent is a senior Spanish and communications double major. Katy Lackey is a senior religious studies and psychology double major. Both are members of STOP.