The student protests are fine. This is what college students do, though they need to be prepared for pushback from campus administrators, police and other law enforcement bodies when they start occupying buildings and offering up antisemitic sentiments.
Protesting probably gives them a sense of purpose and belonging, gives voice to their idealism, and maybe it gets them out of classes. But it’s difficult not to question the intensity of their civil disobedience. There often seems to be a gathering of steam coupled with the aspect of unrealistic demands, a tendency to jump on a bandwagon for a while, simply because it’s something to do, and not necessarily something they’re passionate about, or convicted by.
That being said, I don’t know what’s going on in their heads. I’m sure some are motivated by the senselessness unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank. Divestment from anything associated with Israel appears to be at the root of student demands, but I guess I wonder if this is all a bit of an overreaction.
And what role do current politics, including a presidential election, play in all of this? What about Russian influence, or other players who have a stake in the outcome in November? Is this unrest organic, or is there a component of nefarious outside influence that has roiled the waters?
David Brooks says watch out for the Chicago Democratic convention—it has the potential to be a replay of 1968. It’s almost as if someone’s been studying their history and dusting off an old playbook…
… in hopes of getting Donald Trump, of all people, back in office? Can’t happen.
3 Cents' 