There's a scandal afoot. The students are not happy. The students are fed up with the administration. The students are protesting.
The students of Howard University are displaying self-expression, but this time the faculty are at the receiving end of it. Although it seems surprising, this type of protest hasn't been covered yet on this blog.
According to the New York Times, hundreds of students occupied the main administration building. Apparently, members of the financial aid office have been embezzling money. As expected, this outraged the students, prompting the current occupation. However, the students also took this time to create a list of 9 different demands. Among some of those demands were to disarm the police on campus, provide better housing for students, and to fight against rape culture.
It is interesting that the students have used this opportunity of embezzlement to create even more demands. They know that the college is under close scrutiny and is trying to get back into good light, so it will be more willing to listen to those demands in the current moment.
It was a protest that continued for 9 days. The faculty agreed to meet most of the demands, one of which was a great success for the students, in that there will be a freeze on tuition cost. One important thing to note is that the call for the president to resign was withdrawn. One thing that I thought was particularly amusing was the comment by the president of the college (same source as New York Times): "Howard University has birthed generations of student activists and we will always continue in that spirit." This to me just sounds like he did not know how to respond to the situation. Yes, it's great that your college has nurtured student activists; but, the student activists you nurtured should not have to protest against you! There is clearly something wrong, and I found his response for some reason to be funny.
Howard University is a historically black college. It became an important aspect for the protesters there, as it was paralleled to history when one student said: "It's important for us to acknowledge that no significant change that has ever happened within the black community has happened without struggle." I thought this was an interesting point to make. It's interesting because the university and students are of the same race, so I'm not sure if the point is moot or if it just demonstrates even further how much work the community has to go through for fairness. I'm interested in hearing others' opinions on the subject.
This protest is a prime example of what an effective protest can produce. Because the university was placed into a situation of high stress and was receiving both public and internal criticisms, the university had no choice to take action. We can easily see, then, that protests actually are capable of causing great change and it's not just a bunch of people huddled together wasting time. It's a form of expression at its finest, with a collective community all trying to better their lives.
However, while it is an incredible moment for the students, there is a potential unfortunate ramification. During the accusations, it seems that a star student, Tyrone Hankerson, is being used as a scapegoat during the whole incident for the university. Before this scandal erupted, he was loved by the students. Afterward, they believed him to be involved in the financial aid issues and suddenly his always impressive clothing became a high point of scrutiny from the students. It is at this moment impossible to say if he was actually involved, but so far he has not been charged with anything.
This is one of the potential drawbacks of not just student protests, but all protests. There's an unfortunate mob mentality that emerges and people can easily get swept into the ensuing chaos and want to be a part of something. That at least seems to be what occurred for Tyrone Hankerson. It does not appear anyone thoroughly investigated all of the facts before accusing him. And now as more and more people came to believe that the model student was actually corrupt, his reputation proportionally fell. If he actually is innocent, it probably is not likely that he will ever be viewed in good standing with the students there again. So, while I think the changes are great, I have to condemn the rapidity of this other student's condemnation.
With that being said, we know that protests and self-expression have power. It's time to get ready. We, as students, have a responsibility to be aware and enact change when we deem it necessary. We have strong voices now, so when the chance arises, don't sit back.
The students of Howard University are displaying self-expression, but this time the faculty are at the receiving end of it. Although it seems surprising, this type of protest hasn't been covered yet on this blog.
According to the New York Times, hundreds of students occupied the main administration building. Apparently, members of the financial aid office have been embezzling money. As expected, this outraged the students, prompting the current occupation. However, the students also took this time to create a list of 9 different demands. Among some of those demands were to disarm the police on campus, provide better housing for students, and to fight against rape culture.
We are unstoppable, another world is possible ✊🏾 #StudentPowerHU pic.twitter.com/V1tT7qsMtm— #StudentPowerHU (@HUResist) April 7, 2018
Courtesy of @HUResit
It was a protest that continued for 9 days. The faculty agreed to meet most of the demands, one of which was a great success for the students, in that there will be a freeze on tuition cost. One important thing to note is that the call for the president to resign was withdrawn. One thing that I thought was particularly amusing was the comment by the president of the college (same source as New York Times): "Howard University has birthed generations of student activists and we will always continue in that spirit." This to me just sounds like he did not know how to respond to the situation. Yes, it's great that your college has nurtured student activists; but, the student activists you nurtured should not have to protest against you! There is clearly something wrong, and I found his response for some reason to be funny.
Howard University is a historically black college. It became an important aspect for the protesters there, as it was paralleled to history when one student said: "It's important for us to acknowledge that no significant change that has ever happened within the black community has happened without struggle." I thought this was an interesting point to make. It's interesting because the university and students are of the same race, so I'm not sure if the point is moot or if it just demonstrates even further how much work the community has to go through for fairness. I'm interested in hearing others' opinions on the subject.
This protest is a prime example of what an effective protest can produce. Because the university was placed into a situation of high stress and was receiving both public and internal criticisms, the university had no choice to take action. We can easily see, then, that protests actually are capable of causing great change and it's not just a bunch of people huddled together wasting time. It's a form of expression at its finest, with a collective community all trying to better their lives.
However, while it is an incredible moment for the students, there is a potential unfortunate ramification. During the accusations, it seems that a star student, Tyrone Hankerson, is being used as a scapegoat during the whole incident for the university. Before this scandal erupted, he was loved by the students. Afterward, they believed him to be involved in the financial aid issues and suddenly his always impressive clothing became a high point of scrutiny from the students. It is at this moment impossible to say if he was actually involved, but so far he has not been charged with anything.
This is one of the potential drawbacks of not just student protests, but all protests. There's an unfortunate mob mentality that emerges and people can easily get swept into the ensuing chaos and want to be a part of something. That at least seems to be what occurred for Tyrone Hankerson. It does not appear anyone thoroughly investigated all of the facts before accusing him. And now as more and more people came to believe that the model student was actually corrupt, his reputation proportionally fell. If he actually is innocent, it probably is not likely that he will ever be viewed in good standing with the students there again. So, while I think the changes are great, I have to condemn the rapidity of this other student's condemnation.
With that being said, we know that protests and self-expression have power. It's time to get ready. We, as students, have a responsibility to be aware and enact change when we deem it necessary. We have strong voices now, so when the chance arises, don't sit back.
I think that self expression especially in today's climate, is inevitable and is something to commended. However, I agree that there is a certain power possessed by the students that may not be fully realized. To be corny, "with great power comes great responsibility" and we must realize this in all its forms when we act, speak, venerate, condemn, etc..
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the quote, "It's important for us to acknowledge that no significant change.." I don't think the point is mute. Not all change within the African Community has to be contextualized through the fight for civil rights. I think your second point is more accurate.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see that students can make a significant change within their communities if they are dedicated and tactical. I liked how you evaluated both sides of the whether this college struggles more for recognition and change or the point is invalid.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your quote "but, the student activists you nurtured should not have to protest against you!" because this is so true in regards to the context of your blog. I have a friend who goes to Howard University but I have not yet heard about this protest. Nevertheless, protests like these are extremely important for universities and student activists. As more people join in on these movements, beneficial change will happen.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to me an excellent example of how a university could handle student protests, especially if said university is in a position of weakness: by congratulating the protestors and negotiating. Hopefully Penn State will learn this lesson as it deals with its own wave of student protestors (mostly regarding the graduate student controversy).
ReplyDeleteI recall first seeing this on Twitter, where a group of students were singing a Rihanna song "Bitch Better Have My Money". Although it was exploit I thought it was a great way to protest how the administration was stealing from the students. That's all I knew about this issues and your blog greater benefited my understanding of the problem.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very interesting, and smart how the students used this rocky time to make their demands heard. I think that this is very common in our society. When a company, institution, or any organization is already being targeted, it is much easier to get them to agree to other demands. I also think that the university is handling the situation in a pretty realistic manner. They clearly recognize that they are at fault and owe the students something which is why they have agreed to many of their demands.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to see students standing up for what is right, especially when it's their own administration that is in the wrong. I am glad that the administration is agreeing to their demands, but it's sad that it had to come to this for them to listen to the students.
ReplyDelete