The chalk circles were a nice touch. So was the duct tape. The signs were clear and witty. And best of all, Friday?s protesters were peaceful, and their protest was approved. In the end, both sides came out on top.
The protest was a great example of how students can make their voices heard in an effective way without disrupting regular campus activities and breaking the rules. Those who participated should be praised for their civility. They were willing to make their voices heard (albeit silently), and didn?t stoop to the level of the issue they were protesting. They went through the right channels, and that is honorable.
Some passers by were somewhat confused as to what was being protested. Many seemed to believe it was the firing of Todd Hendricks. The whole Hendricks affair was just the last straw, however. The students in the chalk circles were protesting an issue they feel has been going on too long at BYU. They were protesting BYU administrators? alleged concern with image over ethics ? an obsession that silences criticism and shuts out the voice of the student body. The flyer they distributed was well thought out and explained the issue clearly.
Because of the subject matter, administrators were wise to approve the protest. Not allowing it would only have given students more ammunition. Through their approval, administrators showed they are willing to, as the flyer stated, ?give [students] a voice.? Whether or not the people in charge will listen to that voice is a different story. And one would hope that the only reason for their approval is not because the accreditation committee is coming to campus soon. We at The Daily Universe trust that this is not the case.
There have been letters to the editor recently complaining of those who criticize BYUSA but do nothing to change it. Well, the students who protested on Friday were doing something, directing their message to those who hold the ultimate power in BYUSA. That is the American way, and we laude their efforts. And to their credit, administrators did something too, lifting the red tape and letting the students take advantage of the system that has been set up. We hope this is a sign of things to come, that both sides will now come together to improve BYU.
