The Illinois State quad has had a few new inhabitants for the last few weeks; those people are protesters for OWS- Occupy Wall Street. These protesters line our school’s bridge with signs and chants to get their point across. Their argument comes from the amount of money corporate executives have and are taxed annually, as the article refers to it “Corporate Greed.” The movement has picked up to over 300,000 people across the world. This is a topic that is directly related to our everyday life here at ISU. The question needs to be addressed is it ethical for protesters to interrupt our homecoming parade and camp out on our campus?
The protesters argue that they are just trying to get their voice heard, but do they cross the line. The protesters could just be using these actions as motivators for the U.S. government. President Barack Obama has already addressed at Martin Luther King’s memorial service, showing the severity of the issue. These people do show their loyalty to the group and the cause. Obviously this is not a real job for these people, but they show attributes of groups from our chapter. This movement shows me an informal work group that people come together not for one individual but for the group. You could even go as far as to call them a task force, a team that addresses an issue until it is resolved. How far they will go is up to them.
Protesting at the ISU homecoming parade is one issue, but others around the United States have taken it much further. People should not jeopardize their morals just too make a point against “Corporate greed.” Rome protesting took it to another level, 1.4 million in property damages. To me there are much better ways to get your voice heard, using violence and anger only hurting the cause. The most appropriate chapter to this is chapter 10 Conflict and Negotiations. This is a conflict between lower income people versus the top 1% of wealth making it an intergroup conflict.
In terms of ethics this type of protesting is a big issue. There are drastic measures that must be taken for protesters to get their voice heard, but when it affects the lives of other regular people they need to step off. Do you think that these OWS protesters are crossing the line?
Kyle Gierke
i have noticed this, and dont agree with it being right outside the bone center. these people are getting in the way of the library and using up space that I think can be used for students that need it to do work. I also don't like that they've spray painted all over the bridge. That is vandalism and should not go unpunished. I do like what they are fighting for, and the fact that they are practicing their rights as an American. I just believe that there is a better way to go about it.
ReplyDeleteI too have also noticed those people Kevin and Kyle. I agree with everything Kevin said. I thought it was just wrong of them to spray paint our bridge and ground. They should've used chalk like everyone else does because at least chalk can be washed away. I do get that they are fighting for a cause, but I don't think they're doing it respectfully. They distact students and take up space. Couldn't they have done their protest at another place?
ReplyDelete-Tina Nguyen
ReplyDeleteI am not against fighting for what you believe in. But when it becomes disruptive to people who have no control of the problem, then it becomes and issue. I also do not like that they disrespected Illinois State University by interrupting the homecoming parade. That is overboard.
ReplyDeleteTrevor Goggin