Gen Z: Fighting for the Future

By Ella Ceelen

If you were born after 1997, you have most likely been labeled a member of Generation Z. Also known as iGen, MultiGen, or the Homeland Generation, Generation Z is known for its technological savvy (even more so than their Millennial predecessors), increased diversity, and more accepting viewpoints. In 2018, five generations are in existence: the Silent generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Millennials, and Generation Z, that each differ with characteristics influenced by the time period in which they came of age.

While data from notable sources like the Pew Research Foundation have drawn generational distinctions, doubt exists as to whether generations are real and worthy of classification. Many people give their generations similar value as horoscopes, watering down their significance with Buzzfeed quizzes and relatable Instagram posts. Generations, however, have far more substance and significance. Even if these generations have yet to develop clear temporal definitions, as a society we have given these approximated boundaries the power to have an impact on our identities, and this impact is anything but trivial. The group identity that arises in a generation can unite people who otherwise have nothing in common - with powerful and sometimes surprising results.

When I first read about the Parkland school shooting on the news, I expected the national reaction to stay consistent with previous shootings: mentions of thoughts and prayers, general talk about the tragedy and horror of the situation, and then a return to normalcy. The last thing I was expecting was the beginning of a revolution- a revolution led by kids. THes kids were normal high schoolers from all walks of life, yet they banded together to spark a national conversation, and they organized a march with over 800,000 attendees (one of the largest in D.C. history according to USA Today). And these kis were from Generation Z -- a generation that has long been criticized by older generations for their addictions to technology and their “safe spaces”. To watch these young people, a generation often accused of being unprepared for the “real world”, began to achieve the progress in society their elders could not was very powerful. Meanwhile, across the country, countless high school students contributed to the movement, helping to defy their generational stereotypes. Although these students appeared to have nothing in common, they were united around shared experiences.

The Generation Z students who participated in the March For Our Lives movement will have childhood memories unlike any of the previous generations. These kids were raised in the aftermath of 9/11, grew up with routine “code red” drills and discussions, the threat of shooting an ever present dark cloud over their school experience. They normalized the constant flow of news concerning terrorism, police brutaality, and gun violence. They have known no other America than one ravaged with internal conflict, having missed the “good old days” that older generations speak so fondly of, a time free from the pressures of technology and the pressure to be politically correct.

Growing up in this environment was critical in shaping the identity of Generation Z: a slightly cynical generation with a dark sense of humor, but a realistic view of the world, and an unwillingness to sit quietly or look the other way in the face of injustice. These kids have been able to watch the actions of their parents and grandparents unfold in their society and take account of their mistakes while watching the news and reading history textbooks. They know that down the road, they will be the ones left to clean up the mess when they inherit the positions of power in our country.

And maybe that knowledge was in the back of their minds when the students from Parkland High School said “enough is enough” and decided to save their own lives, while the adults in their government took little to no action. In the words of David Hogg, a Parkland senior, “Our parents don’t know how to use a f****** democracy, so we have to.” Instead of worrying what the future would bring, high school students across the nation decided they would create a better future for themselves.

Despite the leadership and innovation demonstrated by the kids behind the March For Our Lives movement, many adults were quick to discredit their achievements to attempt to spark doubt in the minds of the American people. Former Georgia Republican Rep. Jack Kingston said in an interview with CNN, “Do we really think -- and I say this sincerely -- do we really think 17-year-olds on their own are going to plan a nationwide rally?” Kingston was echoing the thoughts of many Americans who were critical of these teenagers and doubted what they were capable of. They could not understand where these kids came from, or where they had developed skills to lead a revolution before graduating high school. They are confused because these kids are nothing like they were at that age. So, adults tried to find a “logical” explanation for this massive evolution between generations. An aide to state Representative Shawn Harrison told the Tampa Bay Times concerning a picture of organizers Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg, “Both kids in the picture aren't students here but actors that travel to various crises when they happen.” Though conspiracy theories like this may have gained national attention before they were disproved, they did nothing to deter the efforts of the Parkland students and others, who pushed through doubt and denial to send an important message.

The March for Our Lives is not the only example of the staggering power of a united Generation Z. The Dakota Access Pipeline was approved in 2016, a 1,200 mile pipe that would transport roughly 470,000 barrels of crude oil every day from North Dakota to Illinois. When the Standing Rock Sioux Native American tribe learned of the pipeline, they were outraged. The Pipeline crossed over sacred burial sites and the government failed to consult the Sioux before beginning construction. Environmentalists joined the conflict on the side of the Sioux, arguing that the pipeline would encourage fossil fuel production and had the potential to severely contaminated drinking water. Instead of sitting back and allowing the DAPL to continue the project, the youth rebelled. The International Indigenous Youth Council was created in the midst of the Standing Rock Protests. The group peacefully battled against the construction of the pipeline to protect the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers and their sacred land.

Even though the pipeline was eventually completed, the IIYC did not go down without a fight, and from the ashes rose an incredible youth movement. The IIYC expanded across the US establishing chapters in Chicago, Denver, Texas, and more. They continue to organize indigenous youth through education, action, and spiritual ceremony, to fight for the environment and create a new politically engaged generation. Where did these kids get their fighting spirit--their motivation for civil disobedience? Youth organizer and IIYC organizer Micaela Iron Shell-Dominguez says, “Youth are tired of thinking that they don’t have a future.”

The actions of America’s high school students demonstrated a shift in the fighting spirit and values of generations. The young people of today are strong-willed and politically active. They have a heightened sense of awareness of the world around them and are ready to take on enemies of justice and peace. They know that their youth will not last forever, and they are embracing responsibility already, by passing the progress of adults in society while balancing AP classes, jobs, and sports. They are taking over the conversation, becoming the activists America needs. They have watched their parents and grandparents sit quietly, turn off the news, stay inside, go on vacation, and forget about the turmoil that exists in their own country. However, if the events of these past few years is any indication, complacency will fade away with those generations. To quote David Hogg, “It is truly saddening to see how many of you have lost faith in America, because we certainly haven’t and we are never going to. You might as well stop now because we are going to outlive you.”