Demonstrating apathy

Last weekend a total of 300,000 protesters marched simultaneously in both Washington D.C. and San Francisco to show their disapproval of the steps recently taken by the U.S. government against Iraq in the biggest anti-war protest since 1969.

The Connecticut chapter of ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War ‘ End Racism) sponsored the bus that transported interested citizens to and from the D.C rally Saturday. The bus, before heading for the capital, made several stops in Connecticut picking up numerous students, mothers, daughters, vets, and hippies along the way.

When the bus stopped at Fairfield University, however, only one person was there to get on, Kerry Rose ’05.

“America has enough internal problems we don’t need to get involved in another war.” Said Rose who was eager to add that she, “was there not to protest against America but rather declare my patriotism. What’s more democratic than voicing your opinions?”

In post-September 11th America many Americans feel that saying anything contrary to governmental declaration is in fact unpatriotic and as the months go on people are becoming fed up with Saddams regime. The threat of nuclear weapons has convinced some that military force is the only sure way to secure the world’s safety in the future.

“Terrorism must be stopped,” says Wes White ’06, “And I think bombing Iraq will be a good start.”

Although students are saying a lot about how America should deal with the current situation in the Middle East few are doing anything to make a difference.

Universities, which were a hot bed for activism during the Vietnam era of the 60s’, are stagnant across America

Professor Petry of the Fairfield University History Department believes that the lack of student involvement stems from the wide spread social ignorance that plagues suburban teenagers who make up most of this university.

“Students know diddly shit,” according Petry, ” Today everything is instant. Most people aren’t taking the time to think about what they are reading in the papers if they are reading at all! Suburban America doesn’t care about non-Americans because they have no real problems themselves and don’t care to relate with the harsh burdens placed on others.”

So with the coming of what could be another war most students don’t seem to care what happens to the people of Iraq. They just want to feel safe once and for all.