AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2007 > April > 13
Friday, April 13, 2007
Campus Protests: A Nuisance Or Life Lesson?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A couple years ago, a group of college students came to talk informally with AJC reporters and editors about campus life. One of my colleagues asked how popular political organizations were and how many of the students had ever participated in an organized protest.
If memory serves, not a single student had ever participated in a campus protest, let alone marched on Washington. And, apparently, faith-based student unions are a lot more popular these days than groups for aspiring politicos.
Given that, I’m often amazed when I hear about high school students who have the gumption to protest something they find unjust. Remember the Lakeside High students who walked out last year after the principal’s removal or the Tri-Cities High kids who staged a walkout the previous year after a popular teacher was dismissed?
Well, the Lakeside students may be at it again today after the firing of the school’s longtime secretary.
I know there are principals and teachers out there who think the kids are just looking for a way to ditch class. But shouldn’t students also learn that sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in?
UPDATE: In case you hadn’t seen Kristina Torres’ latest story, the Lakeside students were true to their word. About 60 of them walked out of classes this afternoon. Now they’re circulating a petition to try to get the secretary reinstated.
