Hong Kong students begin class boycott over democracy - Madison Escano

http://news.msn.com/world/hong-kong-students-kick-off-class-boycott-to-demand-greater-democracy

On Monday, thousands of students from Hong Kong schools began their collective boycott challenging the Chinese Communist Party. These students -- from over twenty schools and universities -- wore yellow ribbons to display their support near Chinese University, in which banners stating "the boycott must happen, disobey and grasp your destiny" greeted them as they arrived. Just last month, Beijing rejected requests from people hoping to freely choose their next leader, thus prompting threats from activists to shut down the Central Financial District for their pro-democracy campaign. Academics departments in Hong Kong have voiced their support for the cause, even going so far as to post recorded lectures online for the students to watch later on. This protest is one of the many that have taken place over the last few months over electoral reform. 

This is an astonishing feat for these young people. Words cannot express how courageous and even mature it is to fight for something that not only affects them, but their futures and their city. This should inspire the rest of us to actively take a part in our society and stay informed. We spend way too much time talking about the things we want to do and change without ever doing anything about it -- and it's time to start changing our environment.