College Students Silently Protest the 'State of the Nation'

If you ever want to feel old, all you have to do is look at the state of colleges in the United States and lament: “Kids these days.” It’s guaranteed to make you feel far older than you actually are. Of course, it doesn’t help that college students give us reasons to say just that several times per day.

The latest reason comes from the University of Cincinnati, where students decided to launch a silent protest against literally nothing in particular:

A small crowd of protestors gathered on the steps of Tangeman University Center Monday to silently protest the “state of the nation.”

The protest was not targeted toward a specific issue or stance, but rather toward the state of the nation and acts of racism, sexism, xenophobia and other forms of bigotry perpetrated by President Trump’s administration and his supporters since the election.

The group didn’t have anything specific to protest, perhaps because they’re going to the University of Cincinnati, where they can afford the in-state tuition of only $28,002 per year. That’s still half the median income in the United States annually, so most can’t afford it — a clear sign they’re oh-so-oppressed:

However, the silliness really came out in their quotes:

“The idea of a silent protest was to take up space and force people to witness our experiences without creating room for debate or differing opinions,” said Anahita Sharma, a fourth year liberal arts student.

While debate can be helpful and constructive, there is a time and place for it, and sometimes it is inappropriate, according to [first-year psychology and political science student Mashal] Ahmed.

Ahmed was also critical of the Delta Tau Delta, a fraternity that was tabling on the other side of MainStreet.

While the fraternity had most likely not planned for the activists to be there, it was disrespectful for them to play pop music over the demonstration, said Ahmed.

“When people are expressing their hurt and pain, it’s not the place to do so because you are essentially telling them that they are not validated in their feelings,” said Ahmed. “It’s not easy when holding protests to express that to people passing by.”

So, let’s get this straight.

You’re protesting the “state of the nation,” and you’re saying explicitly that you’re not interested in debating, so anyone in the vicinity has to obey your wishes simply for being in the vicinity. Even if they had something planned, your activity cancels out theirs because … shut up, that’s why.

If you make it to adulthood believing in your self- importance like this, your parents failed you.

As for the not being interested in debate, Ahmed added this award-winning hypocrisy to the mix:

“I also feel like very often we are talked to and not talked with, and that’s not something I’m going to seek out because I actually want my voice to be heard,” said Ahmed.

I hate to break it to you, Miss Ahmed, but that’s literally the stated point of your protest. You demanded the right to talk to people without them being allowed to respond, and — who knew? — other folks weren’t really “seeking out” the opportunity to be silenced, either.

Hat tip: The College Fix