Lately I have been reading newspaper articles and friends facebooks status' that slander every students reputation, calling us all 'thugs' and 'lazy' suggesting that we sponge off the tax payers money and don't contribute to society. My reaction to that was one of shock and outrage, however I did not burn my copies of the newspaper, I did not throw my laptop through my window, and I definitely did not respond to those people. This right here is my chance to do that.
We, the students, lecturers, parents etc, protested because education fees are being raised from our already highly expensive £3,500 a year rate to £9,000. This does one of two things, it only allows the elite to attend higher education. Education should be for everyone, because knowledge is power, the only way the economy will grow is with the opportunity for higher education. The second thing this will do is squash those who are truly academically gifted but from a poorer background to attend university. Had I have not been able to apply for loans and grants I would not have been able to attend university. I am putting myself through university with my own money, yeah I am borrowing tax payers money, but I will have to pay it back!
The second thing we are protesting about is the 40% cuts to the arts and humanity subjects. How is it OK that some subjects are more important than others? Why is Science, Maths, Engineering more important than English? Both of the subjects that I am learning will be affected, which means less resources and Lecturers. Its like asking for a double cheeseburger in McDonald's and only getting a hamburger. You know automatically there is something missing.
The third thing that students are protesting about is the Deputy Prime Ministers lie, Nick Cleggs election campaign was a lie, he promised no rise in student fee's, having signed a contract with the National Union of Students President. He then campaigning around universities, asking for our votes, knowing full well this was to be the bait that would get our attention and votes. Then after being voted in, him and his party then completely go back on their word. Students are frustrated and this was shown through the chants that echoed through White Hall, 'Nick Clegg, shame on you, shame on you, for turning blue.'
The riots from the protest, now only portray negative images of students. I pose a questions, do you really think students started the riots of Millbank and the wrecking of that van. Being a student, I can say this, I live in a house with 5 other students and on a good day we might muster up enough energy to wash all our dishes, we barely have enough energy to then think about doing the above actions. Secondly whilst I just made students now sound very lazy, we aren't, we are just extremely busy.
I really dislike the idea that people think that I sponge off tax payers money, yes I will have to pay my loans back, but whilst I am at university, I do contribute to society, I work two jobs to support myself, in which I pay taxes as well!!!!! Personally I would rather my taxes go to university students who actually do give back to society once they have finished studying, than to people on benefits because they don't like the idea of work, single mothers who become pregnant so that they can move up the housing list before those who need it, or illegal immigrants who don't give anything to society at all.
At the end of the day, whilst we may now have a bad reputation for the riots, statistically 200 students rioting out of 52,000 who attended the protest, I'd say the majority were out just for a peaceful protest. So those who now dislike students because of the media publicity,
DON'T JUDGE US BEFORE GETTING TO KNOW OUR SIDE OF THE STORY.
Just let us rave, eat our tins of baked bins and most importantly Study.
'No if's, No buts, No educatin cuts!'
Until next time,
Miss Unattainable
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