Teen Protests: Activism or Skipping Class?
Watching the flood of social media videos lately, one might quickly notice something. Many teens joining anti-ICE protests seem more like kids excited to leave class than dedicated activists. Their faces really reflect that vibe.
Are they really committed to change? Maybe, but it often feels more about skipping class than any strong political conviction. Sure, many young folks are interested in politics, but deep engagement? That seems rare. Large-scale protests, organized in such a way, don’t typically happen spontaneously.
Unfortunately, perception shapes reality. Clips of thousands of students streaming out of classrooms provide powerful imagery for left-wing activists trying to create social and political upheaval. This isn’t an unfounded claim. It stems from left-leaning nonprofits that work to organize and mobilize K-12 students for such causes.
Take, for example, the Sunrise Movement. Initially focused on environmental issues, this group has broadened its scope to include more political agendas, recently declaring its intent to “fight Trump.” Their approach often seems aimed at undermining anyone who opposes their views, including allegedly harassing hotel staff for accommodating ICE agents.
At the core of Sunrise’s plan is the recruitment of youth and embedding their philosophy within schools. They operate numerous “student-led” clubs across the nation, frequently organizing protests under the guise of climate activism or anti-Trump sentiment. This isn’t just a one-time deal; they have monthly directives that encourage “direct action” to upset the status quo, as outlined in a training guide acquired by Defending Education. The material, infused with Marxist rhetoric, pushes students to engage in boycotts and actions against businesses they perceive as supporting ICE.
Essentially, the underlying message is that the issue is more about creating a revolution than addressing specific problems. Yet, what kind of revolution is this meant to be? It raises a question: is the goal really to dismantle the current system without any clear vision for what should replace it?
Instead of reflecting a genuine student voice, these protests often resemble just a means to skip class. They inadvertently support groups that advocate for dismantling the very institutions that allow for such demonstrations.
Back in 2018, Robert Pondiscio cautioned that schools that chose not to enforce discipline during protests could face repercussions later. If schools let students disrupt education for political causes, wouldn’t it become challenging to impose discipline for other reasons, too? Fast forward to today, and his warnings seem remarkably relevant. There’s now a trend where strikes, especially for climate awareness, are regularly endorsed by parents and school officials. The activist organizations behind these movements seem to intensify their targeting of businesses that don’t align with their political views. When coercion becomes the norm, it seldom remains limited in scope.
It might be high time for educators, parents, and administrators to reconsider allowing mass student strikes before they become an entrenched aspect of an educational system that is already struggling. With around 70% of American students not meeting proficiency standards in core subjects, schools can’t afford to treat valuable learning time as expendable.
While students certainly have First Amendment rights, they also bear the responsibility of becoming informed citizens. Genuine and lasting change springs from knowledge, discipline, and comprehension—not from impulsive actions or from adults blurring the line between activism and education.
