Lack of interest in protest does not equate to apathy

The Hippie Generation went on to become the Baby Boomers, leaving a tall bill for the upcoming generation to fill. But in the 1990s, we Gen-Xers (which, depending on who you listen to, encompasses anywhere between all and none of the student body) have, in many ways, left our predecessors' legacy of activism in the dust. Most - but not all - of us are much more complacent watching the drama unfold on the "Real World" than staging a protest.

Like all else, this rule is not hard and fast. There still exist those on this campus that believe that the only way to further their ends is to stage a rally. They feel very, very strongly about a particular issue or group of issues, and they are willing to stand on top of the tables, shout and make all a ruckus to get their point across. Their mindset can be that of brazen zealotry peppered with a sense of self-righteousness.

Examples of this ideology are littered in cities and campuses across the nation. Religious zealots such as Rev. Fred Phelps of the Topeka, Kan., Westboro Baptist Church are clear examples of overly strong reactions to equally strong feelings. While he claims to stand on principle, he has clearly let his lofty-yet-idiotic views cloud his sense of taste and reality. Picketing a funeral, for God's sake? I think not - nowhere in the Bible does it say, "Thou shalt be a disrespectful ass."

Political zealously is equally common. It can be found on both ends of the political spectrum - from the pro-affirmative action rants to the tireless drumming of the morally corruptive power of the media that that 1996 presidential election loser made so popular.

The problem I've always had with this mentality is the sheer girth of it. I don't care to be told that one cause - no matter how valuable and vital - is of ultimate importance. The success-at-any-cost (or by any means necessary) attitude is not something that endears people to me. Rather, it makes me fearful that I might someday find myself in the crosshairs of an overzealous campaign (well, actually, I have been, but that's not important now).

I'm not talking about people who simply feel strongly about something and do something about it. If you are a part of a group that advocates a particular cause or means of action, by no means think that I mean to put you down. Political discourse and activism, while sometimes counterproductive in my opinion, is as much a part of our national culture as baseball and apple pie. It crosses the line, however, when all sight of other things is lost and normal logical thinking that should take place doesn't.

I, too, share very strong feelings about many political issues. Affirmative action, civil liberties, money-hungry capitalism in lieu of sound social policy - all are issues in which my yea is yea and my nay is nay. But am I gonna stage a protest? No. Stand on a bench in the Diag and accost passersby? Nyet. I might be willing to get into an argument here or there about it, but I'm not gonna exhaust myself. It's not at all that I am politically moderate, but rather that I am of a moderate temperament.

Does this make me the type that will not go to a rally or protest to defend a cause I believe in? Yes. Does it make me weak in my convictions? No. Does it make me apathetic to goings-on around me? Not at all.

Many are all too fond of labeling our generation as a bastion of apathy without any hope of promoting societal change. In fact, I had the pleasure of hearing one of this fine state's gubernatorial candidates say something to that effect just last week (I won't tell you who, though). But the thing that such critics and pundits miss is that contemporary student activism hasn't disappeared so much as it has simply changed.

I want to bring about change in this country, but I believe that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I want to help change things from within society's structures, not by fighting them from outside. There's something wrong with the house - do you burn it down or try to fix it?

I want things to change for the better, but I want to help do it my way. Not necessarily the path of least resistance, but one that doesn't send me headlong into the way of everyone that disagrees with me. Not to sound too Gen-Xish, but the way I want to achieve my ends are easier to accomplish and, for me at least, a better means.

- Jack Schillaci can be reached over e-mail at jschilla@umich.edu

Slam It to the Left

Jack Schillaci Slam it to the Left

10-20-98