2008 Woodie Awards
Peace protestors fail to attain MU student support
Brian Graney
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: OpEd Page
Initially I found the peace protest in front of Miami University's on-campus Seal to be refreshing and certainly a change of pace for this school. It is always encouraging to see college students become actively involved and discuss issues beyond celebrity gossip and pop culture. But as time as worn on, I have grown increasingly impatient with the peace signs and the protest for a war that began more than four years ago. These protestors have quickly become a constant presence on the Seal. Every daylight hour is spent holding signs made on notebook paper and giving passersby peace signs like we are reliving the year 1968 all over again. And throughout this protest, the bronze Seal and its surroundings have become lost in the unoriginal signs and hot air that now emanates from its location.
With its protection inscribed in the First Amendment, the right to protest should be practiced not to garner attention but to make a point for those listening. That is why protestors usually focus their efforts on influential places such as the United Nations in New York or the White House in Washington, DC. A quaint and quiet Midwestern college campus is not exactly where decision-makers will be hearing peace protestors. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid do not make it out to Oxford very often. The only listeners will be people such as me-students late for class who are unable or unwilling to put up with peace signs and political agendas when all we want is a spicy chicken sandwich from Bell Tower.
The number of protestors has increased considerably since this hijacking of our lovely college Seal began. All the various lost causes of Miami have joined in on the fun, including the notorious Students for Staff-an organization apparently unable to realize when the battle has been lost. With all the Miami activists on board, it is sad that I now must avoid the Seal on my way to class. The Seal was once a tranquil place with welcoming benches and a fun superstition of avoiding the seal when exams are looming. Now, ironically, the serenity of that picturesque setting has been lost in a circle of peaceniks who seem to have been born in the wrong decade.
With its protection inscribed in the First Amendment, the right to protest should be practiced not to garner attention but to make a point for those listening. That is why protestors usually focus their efforts on influential places such as the United Nations in New York or the White House in Washington, DC. A quaint and quiet Midwestern college campus is not exactly where decision-makers will be hearing peace protestors. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid do not make it out to Oxford very often. The only listeners will be people such as me-students late for class who are unable or unwilling to put up with peace signs and political agendas when all we want is a spicy chicken sandwich from Bell Tower.
The number of protestors has increased considerably since this hijacking of our lovely college Seal began. All the various lost causes of Miami have joined in on the fun, including the notorious Students for Staff-an organization apparently unable to realize when the battle has been lost. With all the Miami activists on board, it is sad that I now must avoid the Seal on my way to class. The Seal was once a tranquil place with welcoming benches and a fun superstition of avoiding the seal when exams are looming. Now, ironically, the serenity of that picturesque setting has been lost in a circle of peaceniks who seem to have been born in the wrong decade.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Carrie
posted 11/09/07 @ 2:23 AM EST
The worst is when they harass and yell at you for not smiling or looking at them.... that doesn't seem very peaceful to me.
Chris Scott
posted 11/09/07 @ 5:06 AM EST
Wow, it is amazing to see this much anger directed at a peaceful protest! I think the protesters should be applauded for their amazing dedication of being at the seal every weekday. (Continued…)
Sami Schalk
posted 11/09/07 @ 10:12 AM EST
I think the attitude in this piece goes beyond commentary to blantant mockerky that leads me to have little respect for the author. Yes, the peace protest is long and seemingly without an immediate or focused goal for the Miami community (and I have issue with that), but at the same time at least they're doing something, they've caught people's attention enough to end up in the paper. (Continued…)
rex wessel
posted 11/09/07 @ 11:04 AM EST
Wonderful article, brilliant satire. I admire your ability to perfectly lampoon the way a completely ignorant person would interpret the situation and write a column about it. (Continued…)
Armando
Armando
posted 11/09/07 @ 5:43 PM EST
Eh....I go by the same people too...yeah...they are there but most of the time they are actually pretty nice...plus there is no telling how much of an impact a single group of people can have. (Continued…)
Joanna
posted 11/10/07 @ 10:11 PM EST
Such a sarcastic reaction to a peace protest is typical of the Miami spirit of living in a bubble where nothing should even dream of disturbing the inept bliss of dating, binge-drinking, and thinking of nothing beyond the personal bellybutton and future corporate career of the vast majority of the student population. (Continued…)
The Patrick
posted 11/11/07 @ 12:15 PM EST
In response to the article written by Brian Graney I would like to say, thank you for living the example of the typical "Miami Student." Your mentality is the type of thinking we at the seal would like to change. (Continued…)
The (other?) Patrick
posted 11/12/07 @ 7:27 PM EST
On behalf of the kids at the seal, we never mean to heckle anyone, and if you don't want us to tell you peace, we will sit quietly as you walk by. In exchange for this respect, please pass by and at least let the war cross your mind. (Continued…)
Post a Comment