The Purdue University protesters are backing a good cause. Very few people support the idea of little kids in a foreign country spending hours sewing university sweatshirts.
We support the idea behind the hunger protest at Purdue. The methods, however, could use some work. A protest needs to make a powerful statement. A hunger strike won't work if the protesters take a break for Thanksgiving dinner and drink soup everyday.
At Ball State we have seen how well this type of action works.
Recent pie throwing and clown parades here have shown that half-hearted protests put more attention on the people and method of making a statement than the issue. Protestors need to take their actions seriously, follow through if they want to be respected and accept consequences for what they do.
Throwing a noisy, loud fuss isn't always the best way to get something taken care of. Purdue has shown some level of cooperation with the hunger protestors by setting up meetings and agreeing to discussions. The university is taking its time doing this, but it is responding.
Instead of launching into a full-fledged hunger strike or pie ambush, students who are aware of issues in their community need to consider all the ways to get them addressed. It could mean waving signs and setting up camp at the Scramble Light or creating a petition or it could mean sitting down with Student Government Association or university representatives.
We need activists who are willing to stick their necks out for important issues, such as the labor problem students at Purdue are protesting about, but we also need activists who get something done. It doesn't help anyone if about a dozen people go on a soup diet for a month while the university takes its time setting up meetings.
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