Generation Z Defeating the Undefeatable
while i sit in my morning biology class
learning about dna replication
the headlines pop up
six years left to save the planet from
the irreversible effects of the climate
crisis
period poverty has surged across the
nation in the midst of the covid19
pandemic
and
women are 33 percent more likely to be
talked over and unheard
while it seems like these issues are
certainly portrayed in the media as
undefeatable forces
as if the only way in which one can
truly make a difference is by
stopping the issue in its entirety
it’s generation z who are looking at
these problems from a different
perspective
actively solving these global issues
head on
defeating the undefeatable
generation z is the cohort born between
1995 and 2010.
they’ve been heavily influenced by major
events cultural norms and social norms
but unlike any other generation
generation z has grown up in a world of
technological advances and innovations
my generation has never known a
non-digital world
you see we grew up with a phone in her
hand and a digital camera in our face
and if i’m being quite honest i likely
learned how to type before i learned how
to talk
with accessibility to an infinite amount
of knowledge on a search engine and
contact with millions of people through
social media
the question comes down to
how can social media be used to mediate
change on a global scale
we are a generation that no longer needs
expensive resources to make a difference
we simply need our voice
a voice that can be amplified across the
globe to millions of people at the click
of a button
we now
all have a platform to break through
that echo chamber bring attention to
stigmatized topics hear various points
of view and
ultimately
come together to make a difference
through social media people are more
aware than ever
world issues meet everyone’s social
media feeds within seconds and with
likes shares and retweets that
information is known to millions of
people worldwide
while one post may not single-handedly
make a difference
it’s the collective front of all those
who learn about the issue at hand and
work towards solving that problem that
makes the difference
that power of finding community and
reaching millions of people has already
launched social movements
mobilizing our generation
by inciting passion to create change
that power of finding community and
reaching millions of people within
seconds has already launched social
movements mobilizing our generation by
inciting passion to change the status
quo for the better with accessibility to
technology comes awareness and with
awareness comes action
and this action is a ripple effect
when one person speaks up those around
them learn about the issue and spread
that message increasing that awareness
the ripple effect continues as each new
person is aware and now has the ability
to take actionable steps to mitigate the
problem
whether that’s rallying through protests
contacting policymakers to enact
legislation that will solve the root
cause of the problem or even by simply
re-sharing the social media post
instead of technology defining us
we are the first to redefine technology
and utilize its power to create positive
change
with more than half of internet and
social media users under the age of 24
generation z has been at the forefront
of initiating this change the movement
to combat the global climate crisis and
slow global warming the push for the
removal of taxes when taking a stand
against period poverty
and fundraising movements are just a few
of the many social justice campaigns
that started and grew through social
media
from that growth change was enacted in
2018 after learning about the adverse
effects of global warming greta
thundberg was able to utilize social
media to reach tens of millions of
people globally to bring awareness to
global warming but also address policy
makers to enact change to protect our
planet
back in 2010 after a devastating
earthquake hit haiti the red cross
organization was able to raise 500
million dollars with the help of social
media with over 2 million tweets
spreading awareness about the earthquake
and fundraising for support on a similar
journey eight years ago i visited new
york city for the first time
from my view i remember looking up at
the buildings and wondering whether or
not the people on the highest floor
could see the clouds directly outside of
their window
i recognize the duality of new york as i
had crossed 38th street at the
intersection i noticed people laying on
the ground
holding up a cardboard sign
please help
was labeled in thick lettering
i stared at the man as i stood with my
family on the sidewalk waiting for the
pedestrian light to give us the signal
to continue walking
i couldn’t wrap my head around the fact
that just blocks from this street where
a poor homeless man stayed was wall
street
where some of the wealthiest people in
the world were people sat unknowing of
when their next meal would be and they
sat on the cold streets of new york
alone hoping that someone could help
them
i went home that day feeling helpless
i gave the remaining change i had to
that man but it didn’t feel like enough
from that point on
i refuse to sit idly by as people
undeserving of these harsh circumstances
suffer day to day without the resources
needed to survive
but at eight years old i questioned what
i could do to make a difference i didn’t
have any existing fundraising experience
or existing funds to start a campaign
all i knew was how to do and fold
origami
using the art of origami i was able to
fold intricate origami pieces sell them
and donate all the proceeds to those who
needed basic necessities
art was my form of expression
and folding each origami piece was my
token of appreciation to anyone who
bought one to show them that their money
was going to be used for a great cause
through social media i was able to
spread the word about my cause and my
mission
and it resonated
social media posts began to gain
traction and people began to grow more
aware of the poverty issues that were
prevalent in not just the united states
but globally
i didn’t realize it at the time but i
had found my voice that day in new york
a newfound passion to give back even
when it seemed like all the odds weren’t
in my favor
i’d found my voice but it was social
media that was able to build my
confidence and prove to myself that i
wasn’t just an eight-year-old kid
my voice mattered and it has the power
to create substantial positive change
as i grew up i came to understand the
power of one’s voice
i was lucky enough to find my confidence
early on the odds for many people who
look like me who are women and
especially women of color are
discouraged to speak up
i made it my mission to amplify the
voices of the leaders around me who are
part of those marginalized groups who
are advocating and initiating change on
a global scale
in a world that suppresses the voices of
so many women it’s so important that we
change that narrative and it was so
important that i use the voice that i
have to speak up for those who can’t
although we’re making progress the
gender gap and leadership roles and the
discouragement to speak up that women
face is far too large to be ignored
i created she the change
a podcast dedicated to highlighting
those female leaders who are part of
marginalized communities to support
their voices and encourage podcast
listeners to start their own initiatives
and take actions against injustice as
well
people have the means to use their
platform and technology to share their
story
but we live in a system where the voices
of women and underrepresented groups
aren’t kept in mind which is why it’s so
important that we need to change that
reality and start those conversations
now
empower the people around you
utilize the platform you have to
initiate that change and inspire
yourself to kick start your confidence
those headlines i had read earlier
they’ve changed
eighteen-year-old greta thunder speaks
to lawmakers to implement policy to
combat climate change
23 year old nadia okamoto tackles period
poverty and addresses over 1.5 million
periods
and
16 year old itasha dante works towards
changing prevailing power structures
of marginalized groups
generation z
is defeating the undefeatable one rally
at a time one post at a time
one voice at a time
and you have that power too