The year 2016 will be one for the history books. We’ve seen the inane campaign of Donald Trump, a Zika outbreak, an opening in the Supreme Court, and most recently, a horrific mass killing, targeting the LGBTQ+ community in our country. Our generation has seen two presidential terms under Obama, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the growth of the HeforShe movement, seeking gender equality. It can be argued that these past few years have brought tremendous progress, socially and politically. Yet it can also be argued that these past few years have been stagnant times for change. To some extent, the push for progress has been sedated by the compliance of the younger generation living in it.
This sounds didactic, I know. I’m 17 going on 18 myself, a member of the generation many refer to as “millennials,” a 90’s baby with little to no means to make any major social change. I’ve been bombarded my entire life with adults telling me to let things go. The classmate who stole my pencil isn’t worth confronting, they would say, so just let it go. Those kids having a fight probably have a complicated backstory that you shouldn’t involve yourself in, so let it go. The teacher who blatantly shows favoritism and discriminates against your friend is a figure of authority, so don’t meddle. Just let it go. The immediate excuse for compliance is that it’s none of your business.
But compliance begets ignorance begets injustice. The more we let things go, the more insurmountable the issues we face become. Young people who have been taught to avoid getting involved become complicit in the injustices and oppression that still mar our society today. The choice to remain uninvolved is not a neutral stance; it gives power to the oppressor and inhibits activism. And while people as young as myself might still lack tangible means to make change, that’s no excuse to avoid confronting the issues. There are small and simple ways for anyone to become more aware and engaged in the world around them.
The first step is opening up to the conversation. Instead of avoiding uncomfortable topics, discuss them, loudly and proudly! Make positive choices about the words you use and the actions you take. Be aware of how they can be perceived by others, and encourage others to do the same.
Find a movement you care about, join it, and spread the news. It can be as simple as sending the link for an article to your friends, or taking the time out of your day to explain a world event to a classmate. Or it can be a small donation to a relief fund or non-profit organization.
Embrace disagreement. Take it with a grain of salt, have an open mind, and learn to see through different perspectives. They will make your understanding deeper.
Empower yourself. You don’t have to wait around for someone older than you to tell you what you can and can’t do. Empowerment is a choice you make for yourself. It can be one of the most powerful choices you make. Choose to care about the world around you and the people in it. Choose to see that equality is still a goal our society is working towards, and choose to do something about it. Empower yourself, and empower the people around you. Raise awareness, spread compassion, and inspire empathy.
It starts with you.
