Despite the sweeping Democratic victories on the national level, many UW-Madison students are mourning the approval of the gay marriage ban.
They are angered not only because this piece of hateful legislation was approved, but also because it seems that all their efforts to fight this ban came to nothing.
For some students, this was the first time they have been moved enough to take a stand, and having all their work and passions defeated by bigotry and fear is truly disappointing. This defeat may in fact make students cynical and reinforce the idea, rampant among our age group, that idealism is worthless.
However, students should not become disheartened, but instead be proud of how strongly they fought against the ban. For instance, Dane County was the only county that voted against the ban, and the campus was part of a large grassroots movement in Madison to defeat it.
Furthermore, election turnout on campus tripled since 2002, due in large part to anti-ban sentiments.
Despite these small victories, however, students are still angered that this ban was approved. But they must keep in mind that the fight for equality in the state of Wisconsin is far from over.
Amendments can be overturned and legislation created to secure the rights and benefits of same-sex couples.
Students should turn their anger and disappointment into motivation to support and encourage such measures, as well as continuing to fight for equality and tolerance.
The last thing students should do is use this defeat as an excuse to stop participating in politics and social causes. The one positive aspect to the proposal of the ban is that it shook many students out of their apathy. If the approval of the ban kills not only chances for equality but the student spirit of activism, it truly will be a tragedy.
Our generation is often apathetic because we have the conception that politics and social changes in our country are controlled by old white men. While this does have some truth to it, most do not realize that young people have affected some of the greatest changes throughout world history.
As Andre Wink, UW-Madison history professor, said, ""History has often been made by young people. In many historical movements we see predominance, or at least a major presence, of young people.
""This was the case in the Reformation in Europe, and young people sustained the nationalist movement in India.""
He also added, ""Military exploits were undertaken by Alexander the Great when he was still in his 20s.""
Remember Alexander the Great? When he was our age, he was busy conquering the world. What's a little fighting for equal rights when compared with world domination?
We are not merely college students; we are citizens with the capability of fostering profound social change. Though our partying exploits often paint students here as lazy and self-centered, steps are being taken across campus to improve our community. For instance, the Greeks are going out of their way to keep students safe by patrolling Langdon Street every weekend night.
Thanks to such efforts, social improvements are being made slowly but surely. However, patience is not a trait generally attributed to our generation, and something like the passing of the ban can make students give up their efforts.
But if we keep working as hard as we worked the last several months for equality and tolerance, and taking the steps we have proved we're capable of, change will eventually come, even if it takes years, decades, or a century.
The approval of the ban is not the end, it is just the beginning.
