In this day and age, we take a lot of pride in who we are. From being the generation who helped elect the first African American President, to being a part of an era that helped ignite some of the most progressive social changes-- we are hungry to be advocates.
Yes, we all went through the phase where we were figuring out who we are.
*Flashback to braces, dip dyed hair, and nerd glasses*
But despite our small period of confusion, we have blossomed into a generation that is more secure in themselves than ever before. With the rise of social media we are more exposed to people from every facet of life. There are those whom we find to be our idealogical soul mates. Then there are those whom we share no similarities with at all, but despite the differences we have come to understand that all people are people. Furthermore, this exposure to the world has lead us to be curious-- it has allowed us to try new things, to be risk takers; adventurers.
WE. SHOULD. BE. PROUD. OF. THAT.
However, with recent events i.e. the 2016 Presidential Election, it seems like we as a society have done nothing but regress back into our comfort zones. From seeing a rise in hate crimes against minorities, to watching the work that many spent their lives advocating for going to waste because of a political fervor, it's a bit discouraging.
But read between the lines, People.
We are a generation of Students. We are a generation of Philosophers. We are a generation of Lovers. We are a generation of Facts and Figures. We are a generation of Voice.
If we asked our parents; our grandparents they would all tell us that there are always a few rotten apples. Our generation is no different. But the thing is, that despite having rotten apples, we have learned to harvest the ignorance and transform it into a garden of acceptance.
As a minority, I will not deny that I have felt the sting of discrimination, the pain of prejudice, but just as those negative emotions were a part of my story, I have had an equal amount of empathy, I have had more than my fair share of understanding, and best of all I have seen those who had no obligation to stand up and fight for justice do so.
Yes, we have rotten apples. Yes, they reek, but they are limited.
We are becoming wiser, we are learning that as a human race we are on the same team-- regardless of where we come from, who we love, what we look like, or what language we speak. Our desire to understand those that are different from us, has ripened from mere curiosity to a powerful revolution that encourages acceptance. We no longer take the back seat to social issues, we speak up when we see something, and we are making it our goal to understand.
We are the generation that has seen struggle, but we overcame our adversities and are polished paragons for our posterity.
So here's to this generation, Stay educated. Stay empathetic. Stay friendly.
Stay curious.
