23 January 2009
What a ridiculous waste of everyone's time
I've just read an email saying that students over the road at Sussex have occupied a lecture theatre "in solidarity with the people of Gaza" and issued a list of demands to the university. What the fuck? Since when did Gaza become the university's responsibility?
Here are their stupid demands:
1. That the University of Sussex issue a statement condemning the recent and continuing atrocities perpetrated by Israel in the Gaza strip. The University should officially denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities.
I don't think the university takes political positions, especially not when ordered to by students.
2. That the University of Sussex cease to invest directly or indirectly in companies complicit in human rights abuses in the Gaza strip and internationally. We would like to draw attention to the motion passed on this subject in the USSU AGM of this academic year.
Hmm who would identify such companies (sadly I have no confidence in a students union to do so), and who cares about any motions they may or may not have passed at their inconsequential AGM?
3. That no Israeli goods or goods produced by companies that have directly funded the State of Israel be sold on campus. The University of Sussex should remove these goods from all private retail and dining facilities as the Union is endeavouring to accomplish.
Oh very good, punish all Israeli companies and citizens for their government's action, regardless of their actual view on the matter. Will we be taking all American goods off the shelves too because of Iraq and Afghanistan, and all British ones as well for that matter?
4. That the University of Sussex provide complete financial scholarships for three students from Al-Quds Open University in Tubas with which the University of Sussex Students Society is twinned, and three students from Gaza University which has been bombed by the Israeli military.
Er no, you don't get freebies by behaving like idiot children who think they're political.
5. That any surplus educational resources available to the University of Sussex are provided to Gaza University and that the shipping of these resources be fully paid for by the University of Sussex.
Why don't you buy some fucking resources and post them over there yourselves?
6. That there be no legal, financial or academic measures taken against anyone involved in, or supporting, the occupation. This extends to the Student Union. Students involved will be guaranteed free movement in and out of the occupied space.
Blah blah blah, whatever. Bunch of idiots. If they care so much about Gaza, why don't they go and protest outside the Israeli embassy? At least they've got something to do with it! Or GO to Gaza and hand out aid and help the wounded. No? Too much effort? Much nicer to sit in a lecture theatre and eat chocolate digestives I'm sure, sadly it's rather more ineffective.
Occasionally students occupy buildings at Sussex in protest against things the university is doing (cutbacks or whatever), and at least that's directly relevant. But this is stupid! They're idiotic children who've decided they want to be political.
I hope the university ignores them.
Here are their stupid demands:
1. That the University of Sussex issue a statement condemning the recent and continuing atrocities perpetrated by Israel in the Gaza strip. The University should officially denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities.
I don't think the university takes political positions, especially not when ordered to by students.
2. That the University of Sussex cease to invest directly or indirectly in companies complicit in human rights abuses in the Gaza strip and internationally. We would like to draw attention to the motion passed on this subject in the USSU AGM of this academic year.
Hmm who would identify such companies (sadly I have no confidence in a students union to do so), and who cares about any motions they may or may not have passed at their inconsequential AGM?
3. That no Israeli goods or goods produced by companies that have directly funded the State of Israel be sold on campus. The University of Sussex should remove these goods from all private retail and dining facilities as the Union is endeavouring to accomplish.
Oh very good, punish all Israeli companies and citizens for their government's action, regardless of their actual view on the matter. Will we be taking all American goods off the shelves too because of Iraq and Afghanistan, and all British ones as well for that matter?
4. That the University of Sussex provide complete financial scholarships for three students from Al-Quds Open University in Tubas with which the University of Sussex Students Society is twinned, and three students from Gaza University which has been bombed by the Israeli military.
Er no, you don't get freebies by behaving like idiot children who think they're political.
5. That any surplus educational resources available to the University of Sussex are provided to Gaza University and that the shipping of these resources be fully paid for by the University of Sussex.
Why don't you buy some fucking resources and post them over there yourselves?
6. That there be no legal, financial or academic measures taken against anyone involved in, or supporting, the occupation. This extends to the Student Union. Students involved will be guaranteed free movement in and out of the occupied space.
Blah blah blah, whatever. Bunch of idiots. If they care so much about Gaza, why don't they go and protest outside the Israeli embassy? At least they've got something to do with it! Or GO to Gaza and hand out aid and help the wounded. No? Too much effort? Much nicer to sit in a lecture theatre and eat chocolate digestives I'm sure, sadly it's rather more ineffective.
Occasionally students occupy buildings at Sussex in protest against things the university is doing (cutbacks or whatever), and at least that's directly relevant. But this is stupid! They're idiotic children who've decided they want to be political.
I hope the university ignores them.
2 comments:
Could not have said it better myself. I sent that email to half a dozen people going "what the hell is the point?" They just can't be arsed to go to class.
Helen.
I know! I thought after I wrote the post that actually it's not that I mind them protesting about Gaza if that's what they want to do. I don't care if they do a march or a rally or whatever.
But occupying a university building is ridiculous and inappropriate. They've obviously read somewhere that That's What Students Do and thought it would make them look clever.
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