Whose Side: Students or Administration?

Throughout the history of the very human race, there has always been a struggle for
power. This struggle is in the base of human nature and is revealed constantly in everyday life
and in quite the sizable list of significant historical events. Recently the U.S. has witnessed
another variation of this struggle that occurred on the campus of the esteemed Dartmouth
College. Last week a group of students performed a sit-in protest by occupying the presidents
office for two days, correctly claiming that there have been instances of racism, sexism,
homophobia, and much more across the campus. They protested for the Dartmouth
administration to address these issues of discrimination, a thing which has always needed some
fixing in all aspects of the country. The students executed this protest in a civilized manner that
drew no injuries, just a much-needed attention to the issue. I take the side of the students in this
situation because of the long-endorsed principles of equality from all viewpoints and justice to
defend that equality.
First I would like to state that everyone has a voice. This voice is guaranteed to them
through freedom of speech, as legislated by the very first amendment to the Constitution of the
United States. Through this same First Amendment the people of the United States are also
guaranteed the right to rally support and gather for a cause. Through the lens of the student
protestors at Dartmouth I see an exceptional illustration of this centuries-old manuscript. The
students simply assembled and took legal action to express their opinions through speech and
sitting. I would also like to cite another significant piece of text to support the actions of the
students; I call upon the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson against a
tyrannical leader of England. The second paragraph of this highly significant and influential
historical document clearly reads,

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

I also note specifically the passage, That to secure. . .Safety and Happiness. which lays down
the foundational principle of any successful democratic government or community; this principle
is the power of the people. It says that the government or authoritative body only exists on the
people, and that if this government is unfit to preside over its people, then it is the right and duty
of the people to either change or overthrow it. Again I see the current situation in Hanover, New
Hampshire as a proper illustration of this rule. The group of students did not view the
administrations address of discrimination (or lack thereof) as adequate, so they decided to
attempt an alteration of the issue, with the ideas of the founding fathers behind them. From my
perspective there is an astounding similarity between the numerous events of the 1950s and 60s
Civil Rights Movement and these current events. In both cases, the lower party (whether it be
black rights advocates or Dartmouth students) peacefully dissented to the principles of the power
(U.S. Government or Dartmouth administration) by the sit-in. Also, the foundation of these
protests were the equality of races. My final historical comparison and citation lies in the
countless instances of compromise to settle an issue, in things like the Missouri Compromise or
alliances between countries. Violence and uncivil behavior are not at all necessary to achieve a
goal; rather, as the students at Dartmouth have marvelously exemplified, diplomatic and peaceful
conversations and negotiations certainly come in handy.
The students did not riot or do anything reckless like the events at the recent destructive
party in California. Instead, they without violence or anything improper performed a sit-in in the
presidents office and reasonably proposed their 72-point plan for reform in terms of
discrimination and equality for the college. I believe I have exhausted several weighty historical
evidences to my opinion towards the righteousness of the students actions, from various
compromises to the Declaration of Independence itself. A group of citizens had an opinion, so
with the law behind them, they voiced that opinion just as anyone in the same situation should.