The Independent: Students are revolting: The spirit of '68 is reawakening

[laststeamtrain]

Students are revolting: The spirit of '68 is reawakening

Campus sit-ins began as a response to the Gaza attacks, but unrest is already spilling over to other issues. Emily Dugan reports
Sunday, 8 February 2009


They are the iPod generation of students: politically apathetic, absorbed by selfish consumerism, dedicated to a few years of hedonism before they land a lucrative job in the City. Not any more. A seismic change is taking place in British universities.

Around the UK, thousands of students have occupied lecture theatres, offices and other buildings at more than 20 universities in sit-down protests. It seems that the spirit of 1968 has returned to the campus.

While it was the situation in Gaza that triggered this mass protest, the beginnings of political enthusiasm have already spread to other issues.

John Rose, one of the original London School of Economics (LSE) students to mount the barricades alongside Tariq Ali in 1968, spent last week giving lectures on the situation in Gaza at 12 of the occupations.

"This is something different to anything we've seen for a long time," he said. "There is genuine fury at what Israel did.

"I think it's highly likely that this year will see more student action. What's interesting is the nervousness of vice chancellors and their willingness to concede demands; it indicates this is something that could well turn into '68."

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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/students-are-revolting-the-spirit-of-68-is-reawakening-1604043.html

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Good.

It's about time Great Britain got a little cognitive therapy. The Surveillance State they have allowed to be built around them is proof of that.

A Student Revolt is a very potent political force. I would love to see it over here. Sadly, I am afraid the majority of students over here are too concerned with the epistomology and ontology of Fitty Cent to do much more than roll over, yawn, fart, scratch their genitalia and go back to sleep.

[laststeamtrain]

4. Are the students over here also scared of being charged with terrorism?

Getting the 'John Walker Lindh' treatment?

How deep seated is 'The Fear'?

Maybe this time 'waves of labor unrest' & 'student revolts'.

What is to be done?

When will a leader arise?

I kid.

I just get excited sometimes.

It's probably nothing.

[MineralMan]

2. Students are revolting? Well, duh...

I mean, they're shiftless, lazy, and drink too much at those frat parties. Why, they're the most worthless bunch of oversexed, pampered little wusses I've ever seen.

Oh...wait...

Never mind. I see that you meant another meaning of the word...

[laststeamtrain]

5. Shades of Mel Brook's History Of The World Part II: "The peasants are revolting" n/t

[HooptieWagon]

7. Mel Brooks may have lifted that line from

a "Wizard of Id" comic strip... I recall seeing it in the early seventies.

[zeos3]

8. "No kidding, they stink on ice" eom

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. Is that like an offensive tackle???

:rofl:

[FatDave]

9. Do you have reservations?

Yes, but I'll give you a chance.

[damntexdem]

3. Oh, students can be a pain; but I wouldn't call them revolting.

;-)

Actually, I don't see that much activism on campuses. In the 1960s, there was the draft to up the ante, and many had recently been involved in the Civil Rights movement.

I would like to see massive student activism make a comeback, but I'm not holding my breath.