In light of increased restrictions on campus speech and expressive activities, students are being pushed to move away from activism and towards isolation. Student activism has historically been a platform for implementing social and institutional change, while also providing a sense of unity on campus. Within UT’s activist organizations and advocacy movements, it’s important for students to continue building communities from impassioned perspectives and common goals.
With the enactment of Texas Senate Bill 2972, on-campus expressive activities can be deemed disruptive at the discretion of UT authorities and are prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. These restrictions discourage students from expressing their beliefs in fear of being seen as radical or divisive, thereby reducing institutional changes that are informed by student perspectives.
When students lose trust in institutions, their self-image and capacity for social connection can be heavily impacted. A 2025 Harvard Youth Poll concludes that less than half of young American respondents feel a sense of community, with 18% reporting no strong sense of belonging. As youths’ feelings of isolation increase, we must consider how students can find connectedness when facing limits to expression.
As an activist, understanding identity through its connection to others is the foundation for achieving impactful community change.
“People need to see themselves as activists,” said Dr. Luis Urrieta, Jr., a professor of Cultural Studies in Education speaking as a private citizen, with expertise in activism as a social practice in education. “They have to understand that they have agency and power, not just individually, but collectively.”
From historical student activism to ethnic advocacy movements, participation in activism has been shown to unite people with diverse identities in working toward a common good. Instead of defining one’s identity by what one is not, activism creates solidarity between diverse communities.
Hayden Presley is theater education junior and UT chapter lead of Students Demand Action, a nonprofit organization advocating to end gun violence in America. She became involved in activism after the Uvalde school shooting, which opened her eyes to the issue of gun violence in America.
“I think community is a big component of activism,” said Presley. “Having other people you can lean on when you can’t do everything on your own is so important. … If you’re advocating alone, not only is it lonely, but also one person isn’t going to make as much (of a) push as a bunch of people will.”
As a nonpartisan organization, Students Demand Action facilitates its meetings like a discussion, encouraging students with different backgrounds, beliefs and majors to engage in conversations embracing facts and opinions about gun violence in America.
“Initially, we mesh (incoming members) into our group, rather than having a big officer-member divide. We want to make it feel like a real community and (give) them the tools to get as much as they want out of (the organization),” said Presley.
As members of activism groups, participants are united while using their personal differences to strengthen the movement. Although having the courage to share your opinions publicly can be challenging, such vulnerability can enhance self-acceptance and attract social connections.
At UT, activism is what you make of it. For someone seeking community and exposure to different opinions, engaging in activism can mean the start of finding belonging within an organization and emerging with greater skills to change the world.
Williams is a psychology freshman from Richmond, Texas.
