Why don’t you ask the kids at Tiananmen Square, was fashion the reason why they were there? (Opinion Piece)

Compared to the past the first year students and students in general of today are completely devoid of any thought processes that concern politics. In years past universities have always been dangerous to politicians as the brightest and most controversial youths grouped together and pooled their thoughts on political processes. However today the politicians have nothing to worry about university students, who now find themselves completely consumed by thoughts of making money or partying.

The spark that light this opinion piece comes from the lyrics of the song Hypnotized from the band System of a Down. The song laments that the teens of to day are completely apathetic to politics and compares the self indulgent teens of today with the teens of Tiananmen Square. As a History student its time for me to now give you all a quick history lesson. In 1989 between the 15^th of April to the 4^th of June thousands of students from around China gathered in Tiananmen calling for democratic reforms. However on the 4^th of the June the army cracked down on the students killing between 1000-2000 students. The idea of another incident like Tiananmen Square scares the Chinese authorities that it is now a forbidden subject in China.

Now I am not calling for first year students to rise up against the nation and die in the name of democracy. I am not evening asking them to take part in politics but just to be more aware of their political surroundings. The students need to be even more politically aware now than ever before. Nationally, South Africa is going through an interesting change in political thoughts and students should be more and more active in that change less it passes them untouched. Our old president Mbeki is out of a job, our old Minister of Defence is creating his own party and the elections are just next year. Internationally things are starting to heat up, literally. With the falling economies of the West, the rise of China, the Russian invasion of Georgia and lets not forget Global Warming there is plenty of political subjects to go around.

However when I ask for students to get involved into politics I want them to do it properly. The times when I have seen students get active in politics it almost makes me wish they did not for my sake, theirs and anyone else that comes into contact with them. First things first do a little research before getting into politics so that you know what you are talking about. Secondly don’t get emotional so when posting on the internet try not to write everything in capital letters to show how angry you are and don’t get emotional, it just puts everybody off. Thirdly choose your subjects and place of expressing yourself carefully. For example don’t post your political ideas on the “Save the Springbok Emblem” or “15 000 000 for Lower Gas Prices” Facebook groups or YouTube or something, it’s just not politically kosher.

So open your eyes and unblock your ears, put down your Fair Lady and FHM magazines, switch off the TV and get off Facebook and get politically aware. If you’re not going to get involved in politics then that’s great but just be aware of the changes around you so when you want to get involved you can.

See you on the other side

Chris