Use the Weak to Exploit the Strong

In one of my classes we watched a video about Harvard students. These particular students were upset about the wages that Harvard staff was receiving. They wanted what they called a "living wage." This means a payment which would allow these people to have one job and still provide for their family.

The students decided to stage a sit-in in the president's office to try to gain the administrations attention. The administration at first paid little attention, thinking that the students would eventually give up. They didn't. And after 3 weeks of just sitting around, they gained what they desired.

Maybe it is because I'm a person of action, but I can't appreciate protests and sit-ins like other people do. I think there must be a more active way to gain media attention. I don't like what sit-ins encourage. I think more often than not they are counterproductive, or they are at least one of the laziest ways to achieve a goal.

I think this because it took the students three weeks of just sitting around to get what they desired. My schooling background tells me there are other more productive ways of getting awareness for a project or issue.

For example, writing a press release can be beneficial. Send it to any and all newspapers, and chances are someone will pick it up if it's a good/worthy story. Creating a video news release is another good way to gain attention. These are sprinkled through news casts all the time, especially during slow news days. Enough of this action can spur an administration to change.

One professor who was interviewed said that these Harvard employees are the perfect example for why unions are so needed. I guess this is what really bothered me because I really don't like unions. I think they cause more harm than good.

I think people need to be treated fairly. All people. Employees and employers alike. And I think unions abuse both. Unions charge fees which they use to promote liberal political candidates. They take advantage of the weak to exploit the strong.

Unions often make it difficult for employers to do anything. Why else is California in the mess their in? I can tell you that Unions are a huge part of that. They help cause unemployment and they encourage mediocrity.

In theory, much like every other political thought that liberals agree with, unions are good. But in actuality they fail to do what they promise.

All in all, I'm glad that these students stuck to their guns (probably a poor choice of words considering who I'm talking about). They fought for a cause for something other than themselves which I can really respect. I can appreciate their passion. I agree with the ends but I really don't appreciate the means.