Too often Ball State University student protests and arguments center around me, mine, my or I. A smoking ban infringes on my rights. I don't like smoking. Dining increased prices too much for me to afford. I need the Late Loop trolley to start running again. There are more important things in this world than if cancelling the Tipsy Trolley screws up your weekend.
Stop being so egocentric.
About 100 Ball State students finally got organized enough to join a nationwide protest about the Jena Six on Thursday morning. They stood up and supported people they probably don't know for a cause they've probably only read about simply to raise awareness and tell people about the protestor's beliefs.
As a matter of fact, the Daily News editorial board discussed writing about the trolley before realizing how self-involved that conversation was. Sure, the trolley is important - not because of "my" problems but because it bridges the gap between Ball State and Muncie's communities. In contrast, about students got up and protested something bigger than themselves Thursday morning. The Jena Six national controversy is bigger than Ball State or Muncie's localized issues.
While some universities have a long tradition of protesting and challenging ideas, Ball State students are often apathetic about issues unless they relate to "me." But in most cases, "I" doesn't matter in the overall scheme of things. Students need to realize that and follow the example students set Thursday morning by protesting a serious issue even though it didn't directly affect them. It's time students start more protests and conversations about the big, national or worldwide issues.
When we were 2 years old, it was perfectly fine, albeit annoying, to run around screaming MINE! MINE! MINE! But that's not cute anymore.
We're big, educated adults now. Let's run around and shout about the big topics. A protest doesn't have to change the world to be worth it - it just has to draw attention to an issue that wouldn't normally occur to a self-absorbed, narcissistic person.
Argue about what's important. Most people care most about themselves and how something affects them. Go find a topic that's not all about "me," paint some protest signs and start conversations.
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