Real change happens through action, not social media rants
It’s not breaking news that Donald Trump was sworn in as president on Friday, nor is it breaking news that the Women’s March on Washington took place the day after.
More than 500 people attended the Women’s March in Vermillion on Saturday. Men, women, children and even dogs marched in our college town in solidarity. Unity is an amazing thing that people can and should work towards, especially when it comes to politics.
Becoming unified with others over a particular policy or social cause is a powerful thing, and should happen
more often.
Under the First Amendment, we’re all protected to peacefully assemble. This is a right that’s been exercised frequently before and after Friday’s inauguration. If people feel the need to join together and make noise, then by all means, unite and protest peacefully.
Skip the Facebook rants and the online petitions – get out and protest, make a sign or donate to a worthy cause. With the population of college students being as large as it is, there’s no way we can be ignored.
Vermillion may be a small town, but there are many ways to get involved and show support for causes. Saturday’s march is a prime example, as was the Yotes Against Hate protest in November and the students that travelled to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration ceremony.
Coming together and showing mutual respect while peacefully protesting injustice is the best way for students to be heard. The use of peaceful protest is one of the best tool students have at their disposals. Becoming one with others makes a statement that we, as a nation, will not break. We, as a nation, will stand tall and stand strong.
Everyone is entitled to have an opinion, and everyone is entitled to express their opinion in a peaceful manner. The first step to change is being heard by the masses. As college students, we are prone to jumping on social media and mentioning what we think, as well as arguing with those who are on the opposite side of it.
It’s easy to get bogged down in all of political posts that are put up on social media, but sharing a photo or liking a status doesn’t do anything to spark change.
Students should actively participate in events like the Women’s March and stand up for what they believe in, whatever that may be. That’s the way real change is made – by going out and marching, petitioning or talking to
policy makers.
Change starts with those who aren’t afraid to act.
