Is the world 50 years behind in activism?

When researching or studying any movement of student activism or protest, it is difficult to not automatically think of the 1960's in America. As an undergraduate historian, I was always very interested in the culture of the 1960's and 1970's and how the youth of that period was one of the most passionate public powers of force that we have seen in our history.

This tumultuous time period always struck home because my mother was actually somewhat a part of it. As a fresh, young face at San Jacinto State my mother got swept into protests and other forms of activism related to women's rights and the end of female oppression. She laughs about her experiences now (including getting teargassed!) but there is still a glimmer of pride in her eye as she talks about the ways in which she and her associates took a stand.

So let's fast forward to now. As more and more youth are taking a stand across the world to end government oppression, I am reminded of those who fought "the man" in 1960's America. It easy to compare the two, to discuss how Egyptian youth put to use the same tactics as their predecessors the freedom fighters. In Yemen and Libya, youth activism has taken a very violent and frightening turn, much in the way it did at Kent State. But where there are easy opportunities for obvious comparison, it is important to realize the importance of setting and time. While American youth appear to be taking activism deeper into the grid of electronic communication and social media, it appears the rest of the world is sticking to powerful methods of physical activism movements.

I find this deviation fascinating, and I look forward to researching more on how this difference has occurred and where it appears to be taking our youth in upcoming decades.