Students and raised fists in Paris, 1968. A young man asks, Papa, what happened in Paris? Why did you build barricades? Why did you sing "Al Vent"? Did anything change?
Nihilism is the shadow side of idealist revolutions, I would argue, and is best looked at clearly as the trap it really is. Do these protests really fail? Demands may not be met, but change happens. There are many players in any current moment. Some questions are answered, others become irrelevant. What would an older Papa sing back to his son? Perhaps there’s another song that balances it and captures the nuances/successes/failures of social change.
YES, I believe they DID have an impact. Large protests (especially ones that bring the country to a halt as in France) cannot be ignored by those in power, so universities (or governments) have to make changes. Maybe it takes a few years for the changes to manifest, but change happens!
(And hopefully, it's positive change.)
I know that both of you, and I guess I'll throw myself in with you, have worn down shoe leather in various demonstrations. To me, it's a lot like teaching. You do something, but you might never know the ramifications of what you're doing. Years later, you can look back and say, "I took part in that (change)", whether it's in a student, a movement, or simply being part of your local community.
As Kathy suggested, I, too, would like to hear a song from the father's perspective. I will continue my search, but let me know if you find one. ;-)
Nihilism is the shadow side of idealist revolutions, I would argue, and is best looked at clearly as the trap it really is. Do these protests really fail? Demands may not be met, but change happens. There are many players in any current moment. Some questions are answered, others become irrelevant. What would an older Papa sing back to his son? Perhaps there’s another song that balances it and captures the nuances/successes/failures of social change.
I like to think it DID matter somehow.... I marched in a few protests in my youth...
Kathy and Tom,
YES, I believe they DID have an impact. Large protests (especially ones that bring the country to a halt as in France) cannot be ignored by those in power, so universities (or governments) have to make changes. Maybe it takes a few years for the changes to manifest, but change happens!
(And hopefully, it's positive change.)
I know that both of you, and I guess I'll throw myself in with you, have worn down shoe leather in various demonstrations. To me, it's a lot like teaching. You do something, but you might never know the ramifications of what you're doing. Years later, you can look back and say, "I took part in that (change)", whether it's in a student, a movement, or simply being part of your local community.
As Kathy suggested, I, too, would like to hear a song from the father's perspective. I will continue my search, but let me know if you find one. ;-)