Making Voices Heard

While the stances of many are considered through liberal and democratic governance, decision making is often left in the hands of the political elite and high ranking members of self interested institutions. To circumvent this muting of public discourse, many people have taken matters into their own hands — some becoming philosophers, some creating stages to voice their own ideologies, and others expressing their qualms through artistic mediums. We may live in a society that prioritizes utilitarian values of the good of the majority over individual rights, but that doesn’t stop people from making their voices heard and fighting in the name of their beliefs. I’d like to address a few outspoken individuals that have given rise to change, and have brought great attention to issues that would otherwise remain invisible.

The Encampments at Columbia University

On April 17th, 2024, a group of Columbia University students passionate about the state of Palestinian affairs in Gaza (concerning the conflict with Israel), decided to draw from their predecessors (the 1968 Columbia protests against the war in Vietnam), and established encampments on the East Side Lawn of the Morningside Heights campus. This effort arose from the university’s lack of action when faced with the pleas of students who desired Columbia to divest from organizations supporting Israel's militant efforts. Over the course of two weeks, more and more students gathered on the lawn to peacefully protest the war in Gaza and Columbia’s contribution to it. Led by individuals like Mahmoud Kalil and Layla Saliba, the movement set forth proposals to Columbia that were rejected time and time again, which were instead met with alternatives that would ultimately serve no good for the goals the group set forth. When it was clear a consensus would not be reached among the two opposing forces, Columbia University called upon the NYPD to clear out protestors in a highly charged event that violated the First Amendment right of freedom of speech. The NYPD detained students and exerted tactical force by charging barricades in riot gear, and utilizing pepper spray against peaceful protesters.

Image of Columbia University Gaza solidarity encampment — Photo by Stefan Jeremiah

Though the protest at Columbia did not fulfill its goal of divestment, they created a movement that spread like wildfire among college campuses worldwide, with their solidarity efforts resonating in the hearts of Palestinians. This is an example of the ways in which those in power suppress the voices of certain individuals, and showcases the inspiring efforts of groups to make their voices heard despite opposition. I highly recommend watching “The Encampments” by Kei Pritsker and Michael Workman, which follows the entire event and grants the students a platform to talk about an issue so close to their hearts.

Political Expression in the Form of a Banksy

Banksy is an anonymous street artist based in England, who voices his political perspectives through artistic mediums like wall art and sculpture. Most recently, Banksy created a sculpture which he placed in central London on April 30th of this year. His work depicts a man blinded by the flag he carries, walking unknowingly on unsolid ground. It seems to address King Charles and his relationship with Donald Trump, which stemmed from the state dinner and subsequent congress hearing that took place on April 28th. Banksy’s art is not something to simply admire, it is something that incites awareness into all who witness it, and may even cause people to rethink their views on certain public affairs.

Image of Banksy’s statue in central London — Photo by Vulc Valcic

Banksy also incorporates environmental issues into his art, with perhaps one of my favorites depicting a child happily catching snowflakes on his tongue, which turned out to be air pollution from a dumpster fire. I think on occasion images can say more than words, and art can inspire great emotions within people that can actively change the perspectives of those affected.

Image of Banksy’s artwork depicting air pollution — Photo by Matt Cardy

Grassroots Activism — LANDBACK

The LANDBACK movement is an indigenous led campaign that aims to reclaim stolen ancestral lands, to build a political platform for Native advocation, and to once again create a stewardship relation with the environment that promotes sustainability. The history of colonialism is one of the forced eviction of Natives from their lands, paired with the advent of industrialization which has exploited natural capital while disregarding the systemic effects these actions have on our biosphere. LANDBACK itself stands for and can be understood as: Learning of the first inhabitants of the land you live with, accepting accountability in settler colonial participation, nurturing the land you live on, divesting from extractive industries, being open to equitable and sustainable lifestyles, allocating time to water and land protection, co-creating relationships of consent, and keeping an open heart as it pertains to the transformation towards a more harmonious world.

While advocating for their communities, the LANDBACK movement also brings awareness towards our destruction of the planet that has been exacerbated by capitalist drive and production, and supplies us with ideas and political reforms that work to benefit nature and human wellbeing. Some of their work includes rallying against the implementation of pipelines — as seen in the Dakota Access Pipeline — which violated established treaties and polluted surrounding bodies of water. Their work serves as a powerful example of the ways we can change our society for the better while creating more grounds for sustainable development.

Image of a LANDBACK protest based on Trump’s reversal of the Mashpee Wampanoag’s legal land sovereignty — Photo by Willi White

The aforementioned groups and individuals are just a few examples of people that have put themselves on the line and publicly expressed their ideologies in hopes of creating much needed change. Columbia’s encampment scenario has awakened the political consciousness of individuals all over the world, and has given support to Palestinians struggling in the wake of war. Banksy’s art draws attention from even the least politically or environmentally concerned crowds, and can resonate with them in ways that promote change within themselves and their communities. The work conducted by LANDBACK has given rise to sustainable development and the implementation of environmentally beneficial reforms, all the while advocating on behalf of historically wronged and marginalized communities. The importance of empowering the voices of progressive thinkers is clear to see when one stops to think about the ways in which their efforts have ultimately resulted in a better world for the rest of us living in it. I hope this post evokes a curiosity in people that leads them down a road of better political and ecological understanding, all the while publicizing groups who are doing incredible work around the globe.