Student Activism

Three decades ago, hundreds and thousands of student protesters marched for civil rights and an end to the Vietnam War. Today's activists say they are just as passionate about change as their predecessors, fighting for causes ranging from gay rights and environmental protection to affirmative action and workers' rights. But they complain that they do not get the media attention that they deserve, leaving the impression that students today are apathetic. Many of today's activists say they have been inspired to activism by their professors and that teachers should encourage students to care about and press for social and political change. Others, however, say that such behavior is inherently coercive, since professors grade students and thus have power over them.