I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Joseph Martinez, he prefers to be called “Joe”, the Student Expression and Campus Activities Director from the University of California (UC), Davis recently. In addition to being the co-chair for the UC Student Life Workgroup, a majority of his job is to support student expression. A story I’d like to share with you takes me back to February of this year—the last time I traveled—to the #SpeechMatters conference in Washington, D.C. This is where I had the pleasure of meeting Joe and coincidentally a pivotal moment in my life as an activist. After a morning of constructive dialogue, Joe and I, along with our peers, made our way into the main hall and just as UC president Janet Napolitano began her keynote speech, student protestors made their way to the front of the room. The UC students were standing in solidarity with the UC graduate students in their demands for a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) to keep up with the demand of living finances, their struggles with food insecurity, etc. The conference continued as normal and consequently, I spent the entire day in shock. I didn’t know how to feel or react...so much was happening. The protestors grew increasingly loud and soon it wasn’t just their physical presence blocking the stage—their voices were ringing in my ears. Though the administration did not exactly embrace these students, they acknowledged their right to be present as long as they remained respectful. The center’s first response was as follows:
Protest is welcome so long as it doesn’t unduly interfere with the ability of the speaker to deliver the message or the ability of the audience to be able to receive the speaker’s message.
It was a private conference, and though the students had registered, they could have been asked to leave the premises—which they were not. Michelle Deutchman, executive director of the center, concluded the day by saying:
I think it’s sort of appropriate — some might say it’s ironic — that participation and protest has sort of reshaped our agenda today. But it was the theme of today’s conference, and I think the bottom line is that it can be messy — both participation and protest — but they remain critically important to the smooth functioning of our democracy, and today we had an opportunity to see that live and in action.
So the question arises, how do we support students as they voice their truths? As they fight against something they feel so passionately is wrong? Joe approached the students in the lobby area of the building, and asked them, “Do you have a support group during these things? What happens when you are detained/arrested? Who do you call?”. These questions do not intend to question the right these students have to protest—but to offer support. The student he was talking to did not have an answer to his questions, so he gave the student his card and offered some advice, “Rest your arms once in a while, take a sip of water, and don’t lock your knees so you can stay there for a while.” He cautions, “Make sure to take care of yourself but also be prepared that those who are shouting over the speaker could be asked to leave so the event could continue.” To support students and their right to expression, Joe asks his students, “I need to know from you what support looks like.” After events and demonstrations, Joe tries to make it a point to validate his students’ work. It is as simple as a “Hey, you did a really good job.”
The intersectionality of students is incredibly important in understanding the issue at hand. If you are a faculty member, staff, or member of the administration, you may feel conflicted if you want to show support for your students, but may not always have the liberty to take a stance on the issue. Take the time to ask your students what they need, how they want to be treated, and connect with the common values you share. Create an environment for your students in which they can thrive how they see fit and validate their work. No matter what you are “allowed” to do in professional capacity, you will always have the potential to be an activist. Ask yourself what you care about. Who are you fighting for? Give yourself permission to do this work, and support those who are doing the same.
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