Lately activism has aquired a bad rep on campus. True, the mention of a new protest or rally or sit-in is bound to elicit any number of
reactions depending on the student, but bemused smiles, eye-rolls, and collective groans seem to be the most en vogue this protest
season. Maybe it’s that many of the fiery activists seem to be riding on the coattails of larger, national movements, or maybe it’s that
many students feel it’s an irrelevant concern that doesn’t involve them. Whatever the reason, most of the events seem generated by a
specific group and angled back toward a specific audience.

This week sees the birth of yet another rally on campus, following the Thursday night assault of a student on Pine Street. In the
incident’s wake, three students, Julia Marcus, Cara Herbitter, and Joanne Alcantara, all sophomores, have organized a speakout against
violence at the Campus Center this Wednesday. 

However, this rally organized for Wednesday seems to be a unique strain of campus activism. Like the rally against hate held at Olin last
month, this anti-violence speakout doesn’t intend to benefit one group or person or point fingers or seek self-recognition, but to educate
the greater Wes community. An anti-violence speakout will hopefully create a supportive environment for the victim. It will increase
awareness among other students in the community, hopefully helping them to reduce the risk of being vicitms themselves.

It is refreshing to see students devoting energy to a cause that is both nearby and relevant to more than the few who chose to follow a
cause.