My DC's Graduation Location was Just Switched to Accommodate the Encampments on Campus...I'm Angry!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore has a long tradition of peaceful protest. Moving the graduation to allow the protests to continue is better than canceling graduation the way other institutions did.

If the protests are peaceful, why do they need to move the graduation? Are the protests I. The spot where they would graduate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Yeah, these students did really "help" the millions of South Vietnamese that were abandoned by the US and were subsequently forced into a communist regime and sent to "reeducation" camps. These students really helped the millions who had to flee their country because they were persecuted due to their previous involvement with the US.

To you, these students' protests against the Vietnam war might have been for a "good" cause, but to the millions affected, they'll tell you those students were clueless and did not see further than their noses. They just latched on a cause and went for it loudly without evaluating all the consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Yeah, these students did really "help" the millions of South Vietnamese that were abandoned by the US and were subsequently forced into a communist regime and sent to "reeducation" camps. These students really helped the millions who had to flee their country because they were persecuted due to their previous involvement with the US.

To you, these students' protests against the Vietnam war might have been for a "good" cause, but to the millions affected, they'll tell you those students were clueless and did not see further than their noses. They just latched on a cause and went for it loudly without evaluating all the consequences.

So what should the US have done? Like seriously, what should the US have done?

And they did evaluate the consequences - dying for a war in which the US genuinely had no stake was not worth it for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Makes me appreciate Dartmouth for calling the police after protesters pitched an encampment. The schools - like Swarthmore - that have caved to the disruption that a handful of protesters are causing are pathetic. And yes, this class in particular should get to experience a traditional graduation ceremony. Canceling or moving these events does absolutely nothing for anyone in Gaza. It's performative nonsense and affected colleges need to develop a spine.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makes me appreciate Dartmouth for calling the police after protesters pitched an encampment. The schools - like Swarthmore - that have caved to the disruption that a handful of protesters are causing are pathetic. And yes, this class in particular should get to experience a traditional graduation ceremony. Canceling or moving these events does absolutely nothing for anyone in Gaza. It's performative nonsense and affected colleges need to develop a spine.

This

+1

[Anonymous]

It certainly indicates that these are trespassers who should be arrested if all the underclassment are done for the semester

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Yeah, these students did really "help" the millions of South Vietnamese that were abandoned by the US and were subsequently forced into a communist regime and sent to "reeducation" camps. These students really helped the millions who had to flee their country because they were persecuted due to their previous involvement with the US.

To you, these students' protests against the Vietnam war might have been for a "good" cause, but to the millions affected, they'll tell you those students were clueless and did not see further than their noses. They just latched on a cause and went for it loudly without evaluating all the consequences.

So what should the US have done? Like seriously, what should the US have done?

And they did evaluate the consequences - dying for a war in which the US genuinely had no stake was not worth it for them.

For one, not abandon their allies overnight? Yeah these students did evaluate the consequences. They came to the conclusions that they did not want to be drafted, did not want to put themselves in danger, that it "was not worth it for them". You want to celebrate their role in ending the Vietnam war? Fine, but I'm telling you how their protests affected millions of others whom they deemed "not worth it"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makes me appreciate Dartmouth for calling the police after protesters pitched an encampment. The schools - like Swarthmore - that have caved to the disruption that a handful of protesters are causing are pathetic. And yes, this class in particular should get to experience a traditional graduation ceremony. Canceling or moving these events does absolutely nothing for anyone in Gaza. It's performative nonsense and affected colleges need to develop a spine.

This

+1

-1 . Dartmouth and Swarthmore are pretty dissimilar when it comes to their political values and histories. Arresting protestors at Darthmouth is in line with the school's values; arresting protestors at Swarthmore would violate the school's core identity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Sure, they're protesting against . . . wait for it . . . their own government. The Swarthmore (and other US college) protestors are protesting against the Israeli government, which cares not at all, or that their university's endowment has investments that relate in some way to Israel. It's complete nonsense.

I'm a liberal, and the fuzzy-headed logic you used annoys me almost as much as the far right wing. You (and the protestors) make us all look bad, and undermine what are valid criticisms of US policy because it's so easy to dismiss you as an ineffective doofus.

Would you have said the same about the protests for divestment in South Africa?
In so far as billions of our tax monies are being used to support the mass slaughter Palestinian children, I support the college protestors. Yes, there are some protestors out there who are stupidly, ignorantly, parading Hamas flags, etc., etc., but unlike you, I can appreciate the efforts of young adults here.
As for the moving of the graduation. I empathize, OP. I graduated from Swarthmore in the mid-90s when we still had graduation in the amphitheater. I think of the families who have flown in to watch their children graduate on what truly is an exceptionally beautiful campus. I'm sorry. It would have been gracious of the protestors to agree not to protest during graduation exercises.

Absolutely.

I guess some people are comfortable admitting that they stand on the wrong side of history. Ironically, you may have been one of the many Americans who agreed with US policies turning Jews away during the Holocaust.

Oh, I see. You equating thinking that the protests are performative and pointless with supporting the things they are protesting against? You are incapable of making that very significant distinction in your mind?

Or perhaps is it you really can't argue with the statement that that the protests are performative and pointless, and so have to divert the discussion?

Protests are not performative and pointless, otherwise hardline regimes like those you find in Iran and China wouldn't crack down on protestors. Any serious student of history understands that protests are powerful for myriad reasons. It's hard to think of significant shifts in modern history that weren't accompanied by protest - civil rights, independence movements, suffrage, Vietnam...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so sorry that genocide has dampened your celebrations. That sounds hard.

It is not a genocide.

Says you, but I'll bite. Just substitute genocide with mass murder, pogroms, annihilation, elimination, decimation, butchery, slaughter, eradication, anything but genocide right PP

How about substituting it with "war," which is what this is? Hamas declared war against Israel, and Israel is fighting that war. People die in wars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ukraine has been under attack for a lot longer. Funny how white-on-white warfare doesn't merit an encampment, but the perceived white-on-POC conflict which is complicated x1000 does.

WE ARE FUNDING UKRAINE AND NOT SIDING WITH THE RUSSIANS.

There are protests against Israeli policies right now because it seems a lot of influential political and advocacy groups are siding with Israel, which is the equivalent of siding with Russia, in terms of people being killed and unfairness of collateral damage.

35K Palestinians killed.
Less than 2K Isaelis killed.

In the entire history of Israel, there have been far, far, more Palestinians and other Arab nationals killed than Israeli citizens.


At some point, you've got to realize that you're on the wrong side of history. Cold hard math, PP. Math doesn't lie.

2 + 2 = you’re an idiot

Hey, he’s right!

[Anonymous]

Good. At least your child gets to graduate. Be happy and take your head out of your ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Sure, they're protesting against . . . wait for it . . . their own government. The Swarthmore (and other US college) protestors are protesting against the Israeli government, which cares not at all, or that their university's endowment has investments that relate in some way to Israel. It's complete nonsense.

I'm a liberal, and the fuzzy-headed logic you used annoys me almost as much as the far right wing. You (and the protestors) make us all look bad, and undermine what are valid criticisms of US policy because it's so easy to dismiss you as an ineffective doofus.

Would you have said the same about the protests for divestment in South Africa?
In so far as billions of our tax monies are being used to support the mass slaughter Palestinian children, I support the college protestors. Yes, there are some protestors out there who are stupidly, ignorantly, parading Hamas flags, etc., etc., but unlike you, I can appreciate the efforts of young adults here.
As for the moving of the graduation. I empathize, OP. I graduated from Swarthmore in the mid-90s when we still had graduation in the amphitheater. I think of the families who have flown in to watch their children graduate on what truly is an exceptionally beautiful campus. I'm sorry. It would have been gracious of the protestors to agree not to protest during graduation exercises.

Absolutely.

I guess some people are comfortable admitting that they stand on the wrong side of history. Ironically, you may have been one of the many Americans who agreed with US policies turning Jews away during the Holocaust.

Oh, I see. You equating thinking that the protests are performative and pointless with supporting the things they are protesting against? You are incapable of making that very significant distinction in your mind?

Or perhaps is it you really can't argue with the statement that that the protests are performative and pointless, and so have to divert the discussion?

Protests are not performative and pointless, otherwise hardline regimes like those you find in Iran and China wouldn't crack down on protestors. Any serious student of history understands that protests are powerful for myriad reasons. It's hard to think of significant shifts in modern history that weren't accompanied by protest - civil rights, independence movements, suffrage, Vietnam...

Good lord. No, of course not all protests are performative and pointless. Quite the red herring you have thrown up there. But these protests, which are not disrupting the Israeli government or society, and not even disrupting the US government function are the definition of performative and pointless.

Let's try a little thought experiment - do you think protests and encampments at a French or English university demanding the university divest itself of all investment in the US because of its treatment of African Americans would make one iota of difference? Of course not.

Surely a "serious student of history" such as yourself (snort) can see that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Sure, they're protesting against . . . wait for it . . . their own government. The Swarthmore (and other US college) protestors are protesting against the Israeli government, which cares not at all, or that their university's endowment has investments that relate in some way to Israel. It's complete nonsense.

I'm a liberal, and the fuzzy-headed logic you used annoys me almost as much as the far right wing. You (and the protestors) make us all look bad, and undermine what are valid criticisms of US policy because it's so easy to dismiss you as an ineffective doofus.

Would you have said the same about the protests for divestment in South Africa?
In so far as billions of our tax monies are being used to support the mass slaughter Palestinian children, I support the college protestors. Yes, there are some protestors out there who are stupidly, ignorantly, parading Hamas flags, etc., etc., but unlike you, I can appreciate the efforts of young adults here.
As for the moving of the graduation. I empathize, OP. I graduated from Swarthmore in the mid-90s when we still had graduation in the amphitheater. I think of the families who have flown in to watch their children graduate on what truly is an exceptionally beautiful campus. I'm sorry. It would have been gracious of the protestors to agree not to protest during graduation exercises.

Absolutely.

I guess some people are comfortable admitting that they stand on the wrong side of history. Ironically, you may have been one of the many Americans who agreed with US policies turning Jews away during the Holocaust.

Oh, I see. You equating thinking that the protests are performative and pointless with supporting the things they are protesting against? You are incapable of making that very significant distinction in your mind?

Or perhaps is it you really can't argue with the statement that that the protests are performative and pointless, and so have to divert the discussion?

Protests are not performative and pointless, otherwise hardline regimes like those you find in Iran and China wouldn't crack down on protestors. Any serious student of history understands that protests are powerful for myriad reasons. It's hard to think of significant shifts in modern history that weren't accompanied by protest - civil rights, independence movements, suffrage, Vietnam...

Good lord. No, of course not all protests are performative and pointless. Quite the red herring you have thrown up there. But these protests, which are not disrupting the Israeli government or society, and not even disrupting the US government function are the definition of performative and pointless.

Let's try a little thought experiment - do you think protests and encampments at a French or English university demanding the university divest itself of all investment in the US because of its treatment of African Americans would make one iota of difference? Of course not.

Surely a "serious student of history" such as yourself (snort) can see that.

They are most certainly eroding the support for Israel here within the US during an election year. Think a little harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that does suck, but so does Gaza not having any universities anymore and having thousands of students killed.

That does suck, but please tell me (I"m not OP) how these encampments are helping the cause.

The same way students helped end the Vietnam war with protests and helped South Africa end apartheid. Citizens of Israel are also protesting with much bigger crowds against Netanyahu. Protests have always been a way to, well, protest against something. Nothing new.

Sure, they're protesting against . . . wait for it . . . their own government. The Swarthmore (and other US college) protestors are protesting against the Israeli government, which cares not at all, or that their university's endowment has investments that relate in some way to Israel. It's complete nonsense.

I'm a liberal, and the fuzzy-headed logic you used annoys me almost as much as the far right wing. You (and the protestors) make us all look bad, and undermine what are valid criticisms of US policy because it's so easy to dismiss you as an ineffective doofus.

Would you have said the same about the protests for divestment in South Africa?
In so far as billions of our tax monies are being used to support the mass slaughter Palestinian children, I support the college protestors. Yes, there are some protestors out there who are stupidly, ignorantly, parading Hamas flags, etc., etc., but unlike you, I can appreciate the efforts of young adults here.
As for the moving of the graduation. I empathize, OP. I graduated from Swarthmore in the mid-90s when we still had graduation in the amphitheater. I think of the families who have flown in to watch their children graduate on what truly is an exceptionally beautiful campus. I'm sorry. It would have been gracious of the protestors to agree not to protest during graduation exercises.

Absolutely.

I guess some people are comfortable admitting that they stand on the wrong side of history. Ironically, you may have been one of the many Americans who agreed with US policies turning Jews away during the Holocaust.

Oh, I see. You equating thinking that the protests are performative and pointless with supporting the things they are protesting against? You are incapable of making that very significant distinction in your mind?

Or perhaps is it you really can't argue with the statement that that the protests are performative and pointless, and so have to divert the discussion?

Protests are not performative and pointless, otherwise hardline regimes like those you find in Iran and China wouldn't crack down on protestors. Any serious student of history understands that protests are powerful for myriad reasons. It's hard to think of significant shifts in modern history that weren't accompanied by protest - civil rights, independence movements, suffrage, Vietnam...

Good lord. No, of course not all protests are performative and pointless. Quite the red herring you have thrown up there. But these protests, which are not disrupting the Israeli government or society, and not even disrupting the US government function are the definition of performative and pointless.

Let's try a little thought experiment - do you think protests and encampments at a French or English university demanding the university divest itself of all investment in the US because of its treatment of African Americans would make one iota of difference? Of course not.

Surely a "serious student of history" such as yourself (snort) can see that.

They are most certainly eroding the support for Israel here within the US during an election year. Think a little harder.

Most people are smart enough to know the protesters, despite their noise, are a pathetic, petulant, manipulated minority participating in their generation’s equivalent to streaking.