Since the early 2000s, college students have protested to voice their grievances about institutionalized inequalities and injustices. This essay will recount the history of student activism on college campuses, beginning with the early student movements of the 1960s.

The early 1960s were a time of great social upheaval on college campuses. Students protested against various forms of discrimination, such as racism and sexism. One of the earliest demonstrations was at the University of California, Berkeley, where students gathered to demand that the university hire black faculty.

Later in the 1960s, student protests took a more political turn. These demonstrations aimed to protest the Vietnam War and a large amount of government corruption. In 1969, Columbia University students staged a sit-in to demand an end to the war.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, student activism thrived on college campuses. This was especially true for protests about the Vietnam War and the Cold War. For example, in 1971, students at Yale University staged a sit-in to protest the Vietnam War.

In the 1990s, student activism began to take a more directed and strategic form. This was especially true for protests about financial issues, such as student loan debt and tuition hikes. One of the most high-profile protests of this era was the 1999 rally at the University of California, Berkeley, which the activist group organized called the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action and Integration.

Today, student activism continues to be a common occurrence on college campuses. This activism often takes the form of demonstrations, marches, and sit-ins. And, as the world becomes increasingly complex, student activism is also becoming more focused on addressing institutionalized inequalities and injustices.