What College Students Fail to Understand about Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Each day it may seem like life doesn’t go your way, or things do not go in your favor. While in life you may not be able to control outside influences, you can most certainly control yourself. Now this in all is a great life lesson but what does that have anything to do with college students, let alone the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
Recently here at UIUC, hundreds, possibly even thousands, of students have rallied to divest University funds from Israel and oil/natural gas companies. While many have differing opinions on the issue, these students are entitled to their voice and have every reason to bring up this issue. The main issue behind Israel is that opponents claim that the state has unjustly inserted itself into the region causing instability. Whether Israel has any claim to the area, because of religious reasons, is a sure spark for debate, the constant conflict between Israel and Palestine has drawn condemnation from all sides. Both sides are eager to point fingers, but there likely will be no end to the dispute without foreign intervention.
It may not be instantly apparent to all, but the Israel/Palestine conflict draws striking similarities to that of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia has a cultural tie to Ukraine and that it should be a part of Russia, reforming a de-facto Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many European countries and NATO have been quick to supply Ukraine with troops, supplies and aid in order to help combat Russia. Where this turns however, is the fact that many college students within Generation Z do not want to see the U.S. be involved, even wanting a further withdraw of U.S. Armed Forces abroad.
My question to those who promote the liberation of Palestine and not Ukraine at the same time is this: do your morals simply apply to the issues that strive to make you look like a savior, but back down on those same morals when they can possibly hurt your way of life. My point regarding having a “hurt way of life” is that so many are hesitant to be drafted, even going as far as to want jail time or fleeing the country to avoid a potential draft. While the point of this article is to not argue that these hypocrites should be drafted, thanks to a volunteer force, it gives less legitimacy to their claim of justice and freedom.
