Where are our revolutionaries?

Not only is the book amazing in that it shows the obvious clash between establishment and those opposing it, but its also hilarious. The Chicago Eight are smart, strong, and don’t take any bull from either the biased judge or the marshalls ready to bound and gag them. Not only are they constantly found out of contempt of the court, but they along with their lawyers take a risk and push the trial away from the question “Did these 8 conspire to riot?” to one of “Is the Vietnam War justified?” They used their trial not to prove their innocence, which was obvious, but instead they used it as a platform to reach a wider audience on the atrocities going on in the Vietnam War.

Reading about the Chicago Eight, I started to think about anti-war leaders and demonstrations in America today. Where is the passion of the 70′s where students were able to shut down colleges and had no fear when faced with authority? When did we get scared to start questioning our government and of reeking good havoc? Where are our revolutionaries who will lead us towards better leadership, honesty, and safety?

Our revolutionaries are scared. They are scared to be seen as radicals, outcasts, and defying their government. They may make statements, some of which are blanketed with sarcasm, and God forbid they receive negative attention. When the latter happens they apologize, retracting all statements. We are stuck in a mold fearing what will happen if we skip a year of school, a year of making money, and cut out some time to push for what is really needed.

Maybe there are people doing this, but having been at a highly political university for four years, I didn’t feel a quarter of the passion and fearlessness that I did while reading about the Chicago Eight. I think it’s time to stir up America. To show authority that people in masses can make a change, and that we’re not afraid of changing our lives or of any threat posed by them.