Residual Bigotry

     Lately, like usual, a lot of thoughts have been flying around in my head. Also like usual, it's one of those things that I don't think I - or anyone else, really - has an answer for. Regardless of that, I will write an essay about it right now for the sole purpose of expressing my opinion. Note that what I say might still be disagreeable to some people. :-) 

    I notice that I have trash-talked the youth quite a lot and have failed multiple times to give this generation - MY generation - credit on all the good things that they have accomplished. The truth is that no generation is perfect, and as we enter a new year, a new decade or a new century, many things would have obviously changed for the newer generations. Today, however, is the day I express the appreciation towards Gen Z-ers and Millennials that I never have. 

    First and foremost, my generation is currently living under the older generation's rules, policies and decisions that have lead to the current state of political and social affairs today. We've seen a recession, police brutality, a pandemic, multiple terrorist attacks and many injustices happening worldwide. Though we are always taught to respect our elders, you can't help but admit that all of the mess we are left with is caused by the older generation. Meanwhile, the younger people are being thrown into this mess and are obligated to deal with it when their time comes. The fact, also, is that we are often dismissed and ignored as immature youngsters by these older politicians and "leaders" if we fight for something we care about. 

    I'm sure by now we have all heard of the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Greta Thunberg, when delivering a speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, called out world leaders' apathy and lack of attention towards the climate crisis. What came as a response from these people was rather astonishing. Former US President Donald Trump mocked her on his Twitter account, and a right-wing commentator on Fox News called her a "mentally ill Swedish kid." People my age have been taught the importance of listening to the older generation since they "know best" or they're "more experienced." We have also been told that we are immature, narcissistic and entitled on many occasions. Answer me this, then: why would adults  go out of their way to taunt and mock a 16 - year - old climate activist, who's concerned about the very mess she'll have to deal with? Rather than taking responsibility and trying to solve the problem at hand, they'd rather poke fun at the way she dresses, her age or the fact that she's autistic. Despite all the backlash she received, Thunberg took a gap year from school to continue bringing awareness to the climate crisis. 

    School shootings in the US is a serious problem. There is no doubt that the entire nation needs stricter gun laws for the safety of many. Sandy Hook, Columbine High School, the Parkland shooting and many more - nobody should feel unsafe in a school. Nobody should fear for their lives in a place where you would seek education. No child deserves to die. On February 14, 2018, 19 - year - old Nikolas Cruz entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and opened fire with his semi - automatic rifle. He killed 17 students, and injured 17 others in what is known as the deadliest high school shooting in US history.   What followed this tragedy was a student-led demonstration known as March For Our Lives that took place in Washington DC on March 24, 2018, in addition to 880 related events in the US and also around the world. What the youth stood for over there has caught the attention of many across the globe, and has also lead to positive changes.

    Politics aside for now, and let's discuss social issues. An outstanding one, especially this year, is racism. I am sure we have all heard of the murder of George Floyd and the many protests throughout the nation that followed in the name of the movement known as Black Lives Matter. Many people of the youth everywhere have condemned the murder, joined protests and educated people on the issue of systemic racism and police brutality through their social media. Personally, this period of time was a perfect time for me to learn a lot. I've used resources online, on social media and also by talking to people. Thus, I would say I am grateful towards my generation for really putting in a lot of effort to teach, advice and stand in solidarity with the movement. Older generation, on the other hand, have a much different response. The former president didn't particularly do anything except sending down the US National Guard in an attempt to calm the protesters down, which lead to much worse riots in the end.  

    In addition to that, throughout the period in which the movement was gaining momentum, the youth has encouraged us to have some "uncomfortable conversations" in an attempt to learn more and be better educated. Some of us have tried discussing the events with our own parents, but to no success. The generational divide towards racism has been made clear for a lot of us. 15-year-old Izabella uploaded a TikTok video where she attempts to bring awareness to the murder of Geroge Floyd within her own household, but her parents insisted that Floyd was the one at fault rather than condemning the police officers for literally breaking the law by murdering him in broad daylight. Many people my age, I am sure, can relate to this. Talks of politics and social issues can be very taboo in many households, especially if young people bring it up. The frustration is definitely understood by many of us. What I'm trying to say is that right now, in 2020, racism shouldn't still be a problem. Many of us have access to technology and many of us live in very diverse countries with a lot of communities. Because of this, by right, it should be easier for us to educate ourselves rather than still having an ignorant mindset. We have access to a lot of information online, and we have many friends from many different backgrounds we can gain insight from. Nobody can claim ignorance anymore at this point, but of course there still are some remarkably selfish people. 

    I hate to be one to say this, but this kind of prejudice and obsolete mindset is something definitely taught to us by the older generation. Janaya Khan, a social activist, took over Kaia Gerber's Instagram live to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement. In the live video, they mentioned an incident involving a group of boys from a Catholic school joining an anti-abortion protest. After the protest, the boys were walking to the Lincoln Memorial and got into an altercation. Nathan Phillips, a war veteran and an elderly Native American tried to calm the situation down, but the boys simply gathered around him and mocked the Native American tomahawk chops and war cries. In the live video, Khan asks the question, "Where does a 16 - year - old kid learn that kind of contempt?" They later add, "That contempt is far older than that boy..." Residual bigotry exists in this generation due to the much prominent bigotry among the people of the older generation. 

    Gen Z-ers are really in a bind right now when it comes to political and social issues. We still have a long way to go and a lot to learn as we push ourselves towards actual progress for peace and justice. This essay isn't to start a war with older people - hell no, it's not. It's only to tell people, from my own point of view, that we youngsters aren't all so shallow and entitled. We will continue fighting for what we believe in, and we will always be watching our leaders' responses. All of us. The world is watching.