Our Opinion: Students should stay active in politics, because the world doesn’t stop for Dead Week.
Organizers held the Raleigh Tax Day Tea Party Wednesday night at the State Capitol to protest irresponsible government spending, and about 1,200 people attended the event, some of whom were students from the University.
The gathering was part of a nation-wide protest that got its inspiration from the Boston Tea Party of 1773 before the Revolutionary War.
Jason Smith, sophomore in management, said the event would have been better if the orchestrators of the event had advertised and mobilized students more. He said up to 10 percent of the participants were students and there would have been more had the event been better advertised.
Even though the organizers could have advertised better, it is refreshing to see young people interested in politics and caring enough to get involved and do something.
During the 2008 presidential election, there was a noticeable spike in the youth vote and involvement. November’s election had the most youth turnout since 1972, according to the New York Times. Youth interest in politics usually slumps after an election, and it’s reassuring to see students still care enough to gather together over an issue.
Despite its lack of mobilization of students, we applaud the group for using the event to also help the community by collecting nonperishable food to donate to a local food bank. We encourage people who lead or participate in events like these to follow the example the Raleigh Tax Day Tea Party gave by using these events to help those in need.
Who says students at the University can’t start political movements of this magnitude? If 12 hungry students can gather together to start the Krispy Kreme Challenge, which had more than 5,500 participants and raised more than $35,000 for the N.C. Children’s Hospital this year, then students can do anything they put their minds to.
We are not encouraging people to start protests randomly. Students should just not lose sight of what is going on in the world outside of campus.
Activism comes in different forms, whether it be protesting, talking to your legislators or working with the government. Get out there and have your voice heard!
