Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

The University of Missouri situation, explained in 3 minutes

How football and a hunger strike took down the University of Missouri’s top administrators.

The president and the chancellor at the University of Missouri have both resigned under pressure from student protesters who say they hadn’t been responsive enough to racist incidents on campus.

The shakeup is due in part to one student’s weeklong hunger strike. A good portion of the school’s football team also threatened to sit out next weeks’ game, and some faculty members cancelled class in solidarity.

When members of the football team lent their support to the protestors, they forced the University to consider the enormous financial burden of backing out of the game, and the players’ actions show college athletes can use their considerable leverage to push for big changes.

Check out the video above to see how and why student protesters at Mizzou brought down an administration in a move rarely seen since the student activism of the 1960s.

See More:

More in Video

Video
Why Americans can’t escape credit card debtWhy Americans can’t escape credit card debt
Play
Video

Credit card APRs are now as high as 20 percent.

By Frank Posillico
Video
Why some couples are happier living apartWhy some couples are happier living apart
Play
Video

This growing relationship trend might change the way you think about living with your romantic partner.

By Gina Pollack
Video
The strange myth behind carrots and night visionThe strange myth behind carrots and night vision
Play
Video

How we fell for World War II propaganda.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Are team sports the secret to living longer?Are team sports the secret to living longer?
Play
Video

How a basketball league for “grannies” is reimagining aging.

By Benjamin Stephen
Video
How Georgia manufactured the Peach State mythHow Georgia manufactured the Peach State myth
Play
Video

It was never really about the fruit.

By Frank Posillico
Video
How smart design can benefit senior livingHow smart design can benefit senior living
Play
Video

And why it matters for retirement communities.

By Lindsey Sitz