Introduction
Activism by university students has always been discouraged by administrators with many of these activists finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. The 1960’s were characterized by racial discrimination and the oppression of the rights of students from free expression. These protests were considered acts of massive civil disobedience and most students who were found participating in such activities ended up in jail. It is during this period that Mario Savio joined the University of California, Berkeley and used speech to mobilize his fellow students to participate in peaceful sit-ins to demand free speech rights. Activists with the intention of fighting for the rights of others and eradication of social injustices should pay attention not to subject those whom they are fighting for to harm by ensuring that they engage in peaceful demonstrations.
Discussion
I believe the move by the University of California to deny students the freedom of free speech by closing the free speech plaza was a violation of their rights to free speech. The arrest of Jack Weinberger who was the leader of the free speech movement was a great violation of their free speech . When the police car came to arrest Weinberger for defying the ban from using the Sproul Plaza the students surrounded the police vehicle in a barricade that lasted several hours. The student involved in the demonstration only did so in a nonviolent protest. I have always been a strong believer of peaceful demonstrations. Savio used the police car as the platform for the speech that he gave to the many free speech activists that joined him and Weinberger to defy the ban from using the Sproul Plaza, but Savio was careful to remove his shoes to avoid damaging the police car. Savio was aware that his quarrel was not with the police no was it with it the police car but with higher bodies in power. He acknowledged this fact by ensuring that he did not cause any more damages that those he wanted to change. I have never been a politician myself, but I believe that people have a freedom of expression which institutions are violating by imposing bans on students who are only trying to make changes in the society by expressing their personal views. Following this speech, the Berkeley student newspaper, the Daily Californian, named Savio a messiah who had come to the rescue of his fellow students waving his hands on top of the police car . When Savio spoke, his fellow students listened and followed him like the leader he had risen to become. Savio was an exceptional leader who was no afraid to lead his leaders from the front. I believe the problem with most of our leaders in the society is that they are in the habit of exploiting their subjects while they continue to enjoy the provisions that their subjects are toil so hard so that the system can be maintained. This was a pure act of bravery.
Among the many issues that I find oppressive included the bureaucracy that dominated the United States in the 1960’s. Other issues include the cold war nationalism, social, renewing the systems that advocated for democracy in the society, social and political inequality. Being a Latin American in the United States, Savio’s actions were deemed by many people as an act of martyrdom, due to the prevalent nature of racism in the United States. Despite these challenges, the protests by the FSM fellow had reduced the number of crackdowns at the University premises . The free speech movement/ FSM was not interested in the radicalism that dominated ordinary politics. The movement is a calling for the youth of the 21st century to embrace activism and to openly protest to that which does not settle well with their beliefs instead of the usual tendencies for most of the youths to simply comply and go with the flow. Savio was willing to go against the wishes of the authorities and challenge them for what he believed to be right.
Unjust Authority has become a common phenomenon even in our current society. Activism in the 21st century is almost inexistent with the only traces being in documentaries and television shows, films, and protest songs. During the 60’s, the speech was enough to encourage a massive number of students to participate in a peaceful sit-in at a time when the act was considered an act of massive civil disobedience leading to mass arrest on the university grounds . Along with the many admirers that the speech attracted, the speech also brought Savio many foes. While some saw Savio as a spiritual leader who had been sent to save the masses, others saw him as a threat to the security of others, especially those who had differing ideologies from his. Savio was considered as one to undermine the authority, and they even considered him dangerous. He was accused of opting for confrontations instead of negotiation regarding the free speech matter. In his defense negotiations only lead to compromise and the rights of people could not be compromised but given to them. It is during these negotiations that most of these activists’ ideologies are turned with the use of threats and rewards which often cause them to turn their backs on these people. Those in authority understand that without such leaders, the followers will be scattered and continue to target them through negotiations, arrests and in many cases including Savio’s, expulsion from these institutions.
As a liberal I prefer to speak the language of rights passionately, fluently and convincingly to express how the authority in the society has taken away the rights of its subjects. Savio was willing to risk getting arrested, and was not hesitant to protest when the need arose, and when he was sure that those in authority had violated his rights and the rights of others in the society. Moral issues such as racial inequality have to be addressed in the society. The youth and the society cannot compromise with ideologies that are violating to morality in the society. I wanted to see the system reform to offer everyone with the justice that they deserve. Savio’s participation in the FSM was purely attributed to his religious and moral principles. As a Catholic, his religion greatly shunned the actions of the greedy and the materialistic in the society while it looked to protect the poor and less privileged in the society. As a young boy, Savio had remained a staunch Catholic, who even intended to become a priest later in life.
California was one of the many states in the United States where racism had dominated in the United States during the 60’s; many blacks were involved actively in activism and protests to fight for the rights of the black people . When Savio was invited to assist register African-American voters by the southern civil rights movements, he readily accepted, despite the many risks that came with being affiliated with the movement and the fact that Savio was in prison at the time. Prison had not changed his passion for social justice. Most activists will choose the self and abandon the needs of their followers when the consequences of their actions become too harsh. I was moved by the great courage of the blacks who were willing to risk their lives to fight the evils that the blacks had been subjected to as a result of racism. This was a greater motivation for Savio to continue in the fight against social injustices. This newly acquired faith was not only attributed to their religious beliefs, but instead, they were driven by ethos. It was not until after many years that Savio was able to admit how participation in these liberal movements had caused me personal freedom. Before his participation in the FSM, Savio had been a stutterer, but on the podium, he was able to speak fluently . This is one of the many indicators of the great passion that Savio had for his beliefs. Fighting against social injustices was what felt right for him, and he pursued it with passion, a clear mind and without letting his emotions get in the way of his mission.
Universities are now considered less violent due to the reduced or close to nonexistent incidences of mass protests by students. This is despite the many issues that affect these students in these universities. These include issues affecting students and racism as well as matters of equality which have seen students die at the hands of terrorism. Cybercrime is also on the rise as students, and especially those of the younger generation falling victim to such social injustices. Instead of students taking the front line to advocate for these issues, students have made a U-turn and have instead alienated themselves from these social injustices (Berryhill). The number of students who are likely to involve themselves in matters that affect the society such as elections is negligible, as many have despaired and decided to conform to the new system. Universities are considered more peaceful while the number of social injustices remains on the rise. America and the society can become a more just society if more people are willing to speak up and fight for social justice in the society.
Most activists and liberalists have always been associated with violence and radicalism. Speech was Savio’s most powerful tool, and he always believed in the need for peace. His only intention was to see the society become more just. The 21st century is full of social injustices with everyone opting to compromise and no one is willing to stand up to fight for the rights of those in the society who are oppressed . I am not entirely sure that Savio helped the University of Berkeley achieve free speech entirely but am sure he made an impact on many lives at the time. The fight for justice is tough in a society where social injustices are common, and the status quo has degraded democracy. We are forced to live with leaders who are greedy and materialistic and who will stop at nothing to achieve their personal gains, while the consequences of their actions leave individuals struggling for survival, and there is no time to engage in activism which is vital to ensure that reforms are realized in our social systems.
Among the many lessons offered to the young generation by the activism demonstrated by Savio include his ability to alienate himself of emotions such as anger (Dunayevskaya). He was a clam speaker whose calmness and ability to think critically even under the pressure of being in front of a crowd of over 1,000 students. His actions were based on principles which he believed in and was unwilling to compromise. He was willing to put the welfare of those he protected before his fame and popularity. Savio knew when the situation called for him as a leader to call off a sit-in, especially when he thought that the act would put his fellow students in danger. The most remarkable thing about Savio is the fact that he was relentless in his protests despite the many challenges. Savio morality went beyond the self a he was willing to fight for those beyond his social circles such as the blacks even though he was not an African American. He was eventually expelled from the university and was forced to endure a harsh life. However, he later got back on his feet in the 80’s where he became an official in higher learning. He continued to address the issues of those around him who were oppressed by fighting to see the fees at higher learning institutions be subsidized.
Most activists in the current society avert to violent protests which often warrant arrest and fail to protect the welfare of the very people they intend to protect. Political correctness has remained a controversy in the society today, but it is doubtless that most activists who have tried violent ways have failed to succeed in their endeavors. Many lectures acknowledged that Savio was indeed a great orator and that his speech was objective and as passionate as they were never driven by emotions, but instead, they were driven by moral principles and a desire to see a social justice become a reality in universities and the society as a whole. Savio was keen to alienate himself from hate speech during his activism activities. While most Protests at universities are driven by emotions, Savio was careful to go through the 14th amendment and his religious principles. As a result of clearly constructed thoughts, he was able to touch the hearts of many administrators, lecturers and students at Berkeley. Savio’s tactics as a leader, his speeches, and tactics in the organization of the sit-ins has with no doubt influenced many leaders both during his time and many years later (Berryhill). Many leaders failed to recognize Savio with the fear that this will encourage similar behavior among students, but most have acknowledged his methods in the fight against social injustices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social injustices are becoming more prevalent in the society with the few activists engaging in violent arrests which are driven by emotions and in the process leading to the harm of the very people these activists are hoping to protect. Activism is becoming less popular in the society as most youths, and other individuals prefer to take a back seat on various issues in the society. The youth is particularly unconcerned with matters affecting the society today, and social injustice such as racial discrimination and gender inequality continue to prevail in the society. Activists in the 21st century have lessons to learn from the peaceful activist who was Savio, and whose tool was the speech. Even though he could control thousands of students, he never once put his fellow students in harm’s way. His actions were based on moral principles, and he had an ability to maintain critical thinking even in front of a big crowd without allowing his emotions to come into play.
Works Cited
Berryhill, Alex. Cohen’s “The Essential Mario Savio” reflects on nature of the movement. 10 October 2014. Web. 21 June 2016. <http://www.dailycal.org/2014/10/10/cohens-essential-mario-savio-reflects-nature-movement/>.
Dunayevskaya, Raya. The Free Speech Movement and the Negro Revolution. July 1965. Web. 21 June 2016. <https://www.marxists.org/archive/dunayevskaya/works/1965/fsm.htm>.
