tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502187932910780823.post4086421786203207737..comments2024-03-06T12:16:49.012-05:00Comments on Fire on the Mountain: May '70: 4. The Eruption Begins!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502187932910780823.post-1975888602121795122010-05-03T07:52:22.370-04:002010-05-03T07:52:22.370-04:00A story from the periphery of the campus actions.....A story from the periphery of the campus actions....<br /><br />I had occasion to visit the U of Virginia campus, later during its strike. This is an elite school, and the strike was not strong. Many students were questioning the apparently lengthy list of demands. Exams were approaching, and folks were scared about their high-paying career plans.<br /><br />There was a good sized rally in the middle of campus -- I think they call it The Lawn -- and an open mic. A rightwing professor took the mic, and brought up an act of sabotage someone had committed against one of the snack bars or such. Where will students get their hot dogs and french fries, he orated, and folks began to pay attention and to snicker at him. Then he reached his main point. How many students there, he asked, really supported all the demands of the strike?<br /><br />Based on my conversations, his question was a very real one by this time. But no one wanted to hear it from this a-hole. Within seconds, the majority of students who had been sitting there were up on their feet chanting "Strike! Strike!" Once again, incompetent and illegitimate authority had come through to mobilize folks -- the gift that keeps on giving to organizers...Maurerguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00169324288262033891noreply@blogger.com