Section A01
Week 2: "Berkeley Free Speech Movement: Paving the Way for Campus Activism"
Berkeley, CA is considered as one of the most liberal cities in California and the United States today. UC Berkeley too is also considered one of the most liberal and top rated schools throughout the University of California system, as well as throughout the nation. Berkeley and it's UC campus achieve this role through various means, including, but not limited to things such as hippie culture, high cultural competence, liberalism in the residents, and other factors as well, like being located in the Bay Area, which is known for being one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in the United States.
However, this serene image of diversity and peace was not always the case in Berkeley and the United States. Just about 50 years ago, this serene image was tainted with extreme racism, prejudice, and injustice to all peoples of color and minority groups. UC Berkeley too, also played a huge role in this racism and silencing of one's rights mainly during the 1960s. Hence, due to these social injustices, the Free Speech Movement, lead by Mario Savio erupted. Together, the FSM demonstrated to the world that through combining student's powers through non-violent protest and constant persevering, they can make a change. This change is not only revolutionary, but it is also very beneficial to people around the world, including people of color like myself. Through many past student activists, we today are now able to enjoy the same rights and policies that the dominant groups have enjoyed in the past. We are now able to break social and political barriers, and this is a huge milestone. Although people of color still face injustice today, we are able to join together to fight it and win.
Q: Do you think that students today still fight and exercise their rights, or do you think that students already enjoy a high level of freedom that they do not see the need to keep fighting?
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