The “sad girl” aesthetic, popularized by straight white women, often sidelines the authentic experiences of sadness felt by women of color and queer women, reducing their emotions to racial or cultural trauma. We must shatter the stereotypes of the “sad girl” and ask why these minority women are denied the same space to simply be sad.

From the Vietnam War to the ongoing Israeli genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, university students have consistently led the charge against imperialism and militarism. This article explores the evolution of student activism, drawing parallels between the anti-war movements of the 1960s and today’s fight for Palestinian liberation, highlighting the role of counterculture, social media, and intersectionality in shaping modern campus resistance.