Sandra Ringelstein: College students are paying attention, we shouldn't be surprised

To The Daily Sun,

Should we really have expected our young people on college campuses to be desensitized to that which is in the news constantly and to sit this one out? Since Oct. 7, when the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel occurred, we have witnessed through the news, streaming, in print and online, the war between Israel and Gaza. What happened in October is unthinkable and to those in Gaza, sickening.

The situation, documented on a 24-hour cycle, should shake us all, as should past and ongoing wars including Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Expressions of hate and violence have no place but is it OK to react? To those of us old enough to remember the protests on college campuses from 1967-70, when expansion of the war in Vietnam ignited outrage from our youth, should we expect differently now?

Over the past 50 years, news coverage has increased so that content is accessible and available on a 24-hour cycle constantly.

We asked our kids to sit idly by as COVID sequestered them. We asked our kids to stand by while we locked down their schools for fear of gun violence. We ask our kids to continue on while we figure out the looming political tightrope of this year.

They are reacting. Should we be surprised?

The situation in the Middle East is nuanced where Israel as the only Democratic state needs protection but lines are crossed when disproportionate bombardment brings mass destruction and starvation. Our kids on campuses are watching. Our kids on campuses are reacting.

In this divided political climate, we have learned to desensitize enough to maintain community, to politely share Thanksgiving dinner, to breathe through our 3 a.m. existential crises of climate — so when we get a reaction and response, we shouldn’t be at all surprised.

Sandra Ringelstein

Moultonborough