Photo Source: Javell Sheppard
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, Saint Xavier University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) held a demonstration in solidarity for the events occurring in Palestine. This powerful event drew focus to the ongoing tragic humanitarian crisis while educating attendees about its effects on so many human lives.
This demonstration drew in a large crowd, and it was impactful to see not just students, but faculty, staff, administration, and community members all attend the event. Something like this would have never been possible if a concerned group of students had not come together with the intention of raising awareness to the events currently happening in Palestine, specifically Gaza.
SJP President Jena Kanaan shared her input on the demonstration, “Our voices are not just mere words. Our voices have the power to challenge injustice, in this case, the injustices faced by Palestinians since 1948.”
Kanaan went on to say, “The cries of Palestinians, longing for justice have gone unheard for far too long. As students who have the ability to organize and advocate, our voices must be amplified. Our voices, as a collective, can change the course of history and call for humanity. By using our voices, we must do everything in our power to vocalize the concerns of Palestinians and call for accountability and change.”
Saint Xavier owes its students the ability to express themselves in whatever way possible. By allowing for this demonstration to occur, Saint Xavier showed its respect to the student body. Although not everyone in the university may agree with SJP’s reasoning behind the demonstration, it is still incredibly important for every student to be allowed to express their opinion- whether it be on their own, or in a large group.
Yasmin Abdullah, a participant in the demonstration, shared her thoughts on the importance of allowing students to raise awareness about issues in the world, “Students are the lifeblood of a school, and their perspectives should be integrated to enhance decision-making processes for the betterment of the entire educational community.”
Abdullah continued, “It is imperative that students’ voices are acknowledged, allowing them to advocate for justice and the necessary support, both mentally and physically, to thrive in their academic journey…Students bring fresh perspectives, idealism, and a unique energy to the table.”
In a school as proudly diverse as Saint Xavier, it is important to recognize the different beliefs students may have about any situation- big or small, on-campus or worldwide. When students see powerful demonstrations like the one SJP organized, they feel empowered to speak up when something is not right.
The same week the SJP demonstration was occurring, Start by Believing, an RSO dedicated to amplifying the voice of sexual assault victims, organized a “What Were You Wearing” exhibition currently being displayed in the Visual Arts Center (VAC).
This exhibition has allowed students to display the clothes they wore when they were sexually assaulted, as well as share their stories.
This exhibition is another example of the power the voice of the student body can carry, one that brings community in a different and more impactful way than other events might. By allowing students to share their experiences of sexual assault with each other, they are able to empower and uplift one another.
Sarah Driscoll, Vice President of Start by Believing shared her insight on the thought put behind the purpose of the exhibit, “For years, victims have been blamed for their assault because of their clothes. They have been told they were ‘asking for it’ because of their clothing. It is never anyone’s fault that they were raped, yet victims continue to be blamed for the crime committed against them.”
Driscoll continued, “This exhibit is meant to dispel the idea that it’s the victim’s fault they were raped, and for people to be able to relate to that person. Looking at the clothing, other students can see that survivors were likely wearing clothing they may also wear, and see that it can happen to anyone. It also allows students to see that they likely know a survivor, and that rape happens more often than people realize. Instead of asking “What were you wearing? We want people to ask how they can support the survivors. ‘No’ means “no,’ and the absence of a ‘no’ does not mean ‘yes.’”
The student voice matters. It always matters. Whether it be one student speaking up about an issue on campus, or a collective group raising awareness about issues occurring worldwide. It does not matter if people agree or disagree with the topic students want to touch on- their voices all deserve to be heard.
Dalia Ihmud, a first-year student and member of SJP, summoned up her thoughts on the impact of student voices, “There’s a deep importance in amplifying students’ voices for countless reasons. Students across the nation are going to be the future that shapes the minds and actions of those around them…It takes one person to amplify their voice but with courage, that is supported by many around them. So while it feels like things are happening all around us, students are also happening to the world.”
Saint Xavier is built on the teachings of the Sisters of Mercy. If the Sisters of Mercy never used their voices to speak up about the conditions that the poor and the homeless were living in, this school would not exist. As a university, we must continue to encourage our students to speak up, because no one can imagine how large of a difference one singular voice can make.