University of Virginia Library

"Right" Move

Just what are the long range
effects of the surging right wing's
drive? The University is well behind
the rest of the nation's better
schools for activism and concern,
but the signs point to more protest
as it continues to sit still. The war,
racial policies, the draft, and many
other issues are virtually unchanged
from last year when students may
have had more patience.

And so when the first move
takes place, the right-wing groups
will play a crucial part. They will
probably allow the administration
to remain in the background and
prey on student disunity while
YAF leads a counter-demonstration.
YAF may, if the administration
takes it seriously, provide a
replacement for last year's "Goon
Squad" that stood on Founder's
Day between B.F.D. Runk and the
opponents of 150 years of racism.

And the RLA's position, should
it gain its full complement of
members, will be a real curiosity.
When a student strike is called for
October 15 to protest the war, will
its members exercise their libertarian
right to attend classes, or
support the individual's right not to
fight in a stupid war?

Individualism always has an
essential dilemma. If students are to
be free, they have to fight for it.
Freedom from the war will not be
obtained by playing ostrich and
attending classes during such,
strikes; Blacks will not be free at
this university until they and others
force the administration to wake
up. Such things are gained through
dedication, not individualism.