How will history remember us? There are 67 million of us in the U.S. and 2 billion around the world. We are inheriting the decisions made by the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation. What drives the decisions they make about the future they are leaving us? What will the state of our planet be in? Would we have the resources and opportunities we need to make our goals and dreams come true much like past generations? What would the state of the world be when it is our turn to vote and work towards our future? What world do you imagine we will inherit?
When we use our imagination, we want to build a better world for us and the people we see suffering. Today we are facing a pandemic, but there are also other significant issues that will impact the kind of future that awaits us. Waiting for change to happen will not get us where we need to go. So as the future stewards of this beautiful planet, let’s imagine what we can do; all 67 million of us in the U.S. and 2 billion around the world and then let’s make it happen.
Well-being of our Earth, the only one we have, is at a tipping point. Debates have raged over not only why the ice caps are melting and the increased number of hurricanes, but also the cause of wildfires, and the rising temperature of Earth. What is the purpose of continuing these debates when the evidence of the actions taken over the years is right in front of us? The reality, however, is that unlike previous generations who could gaze upon clear skies, breathe the clean air, could visit the great forests, or the wonders of the ice caps, what will we have left of this planet? High air pollution that is affecting our daily lives? Unexpected flooding? The unprecedented increase in wildfires, exceeding the capacity of our brave firefighters? Deforestation leading to increased greenhouse gasses and more pandemics?
When environmentalists and other experts talk about making immediate changes to the way we live and the way we grow food for future generations, they are talking about our generation.
We know that climate change needs immediate action and we even know the steps to take. Sixty-seven million of us can make that change. So what can we do? We can identify the most pressing environmental issue in the states we live in and contact our senators, local governors and representatives. Remind them that in our great country, as President Lincoln said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth”.
Our actions do not need to be big. We can even start with something small. Imagine, if 2 billion people planted a tree or stopped using plastic and paper? What can you imagine changing? We just need to take the first step. Remember what Nelson Mandela said. "It always seems impossible until it's done."
How many of us walk into school with a fear that someone will enter the school we go to armed with a weapon and hurt us, our friends, or our teachers? We know that gun violence is something that cannot be shoved under the rug. In 2019 over 13.9 million guns were sold in the U.S. and there were more mass shootings than there are days in a year, as reported from CBS. This is not an attack on the second amendment, but rather a questioning of the screening process to get access to a weapon.
We understand mental illness is a definitive cause, but there are also other variables to consider other than the illness itself. The majority of school shooters are either young adults or recent graduates of high school. Studies show that in children, exclusion is associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, or aggressive and antisocial behavior. Of the school shooters, three-quarters had been either bullied or harassed in school. The majority of the shooters killed themselves after inflicting pain on others. Why? Imagine feeling excluded, bullied, and not having anyone stand up for you. Feeling that the world around them refuses to show them kindness, they may either wish for death by someone else's hand, or wish they could kill themselves. Despair, loss, humiliation, blame, and anger. All of these things can lead to homicidal thoughts or actions. What's more pressing is that some teeneagers may identify with past shooters who used violence to solve their problem. Early or easy accessibility to guns can turn these violent thoughts into a deadly reality.
Imagine if we, in our schools, reached out to anyone who we see or feel is being left out. We would give each other the assurance that no one is alone, singled out, bullied or harassed. Imagine if we stood up for anyone who was not heard, or felt isolated, or had been mistreated. Some of us are not old enough to influence gun laws, but the rest of us can most certainly influence what happens in our schools.
Social Equity, not talked about often, but it has great importance. Equity is about being provided the tools specific to each person that allows someone to progress in life and achieve their dreams. Social equity moves in sync with social equality because it can help promote upward mobility.
The income inequality gap between rich and poor is wider than in the past 50 years. In 2018, the poverty rate for Blacks was almost 21% in comparison to 8% Non-Hispanic whites. Due to this disparity between social classes, beliefs about “the other who is different from us” start to take root.
It does not matter where we live, we all strive towards making our dreams a reality. We do not need to wait for the government to provide social equity, because we can do it for each other. Chadwic Bosman, as the King of Wakanda in Black Panther, said: “We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe”. Do you not think we can – as Generation Z?
Imagine, if we as Generation Z looked at ourselves. If we look hard at our strengths, we can lend them to our peers who struggle. Helping each other grow would not only promote equity, but also unity.
Imagine the world we will build for ourselves.
We know that the time for debate is done, for we know the steps to take that make our world better – not just for us, but for our kids who will inherit it. We should not question if what we are doing for the planet or even our friends is big enough. All that matters is that we do.
Our time is now, and it begins with a vote and action to help. We have to put our hearts into it, our minds to plan it, and our imagination to make it a reality.
Let’s go, Generation Z!!!
When we use our imagination, we want to build a better world for us and the people we see suffering. Today we are facing a pandemic, but there are also other significant issues that will impact the kind of future that awaits us. Waiting for change to happen will not get us where we need to go. So as the future stewards of this beautiful planet, let’s imagine what we can do; all 67 million of us in the U.S. and 2 billion around the world and then let’s make it happen.
Well-being of our Earth, the only one we have, is at a tipping point. Debates have raged over not only why the ice caps are melting and the increased number of hurricanes, but also the cause of wildfires, and the rising temperature of Earth. What is the purpose of continuing these debates when the evidence of the actions taken over the years is right in front of us? The reality, however, is that unlike previous generations who could gaze upon clear skies, breathe the clean air, could visit the great forests, or the wonders of the ice caps, what will we have left of this planet? High air pollution that is affecting our daily lives? Unexpected flooding? The unprecedented increase in wildfires, exceeding the capacity of our brave firefighters? Deforestation leading to increased greenhouse gasses and more pandemics?
When environmentalists and other experts talk about making immediate changes to the way we live and the way we grow food for future generations, they are talking about our generation.
We know that climate change needs immediate action and we even know the steps to take. Sixty-seven million of us can make that change. So what can we do? We can identify the most pressing environmental issue in the states we live in and contact our senators, local governors and representatives. Remind them that in our great country, as President Lincoln said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth”.
Our actions do not need to be big. We can even start with something small. Imagine, if 2 billion people planted a tree or stopped using plastic and paper? What can you imagine changing? We just need to take the first step. Remember what Nelson Mandela said. "It always seems impossible until it's done."
How many of us walk into school with a fear that someone will enter the school we go to armed with a weapon and hurt us, our friends, or our teachers? We know that gun violence is something that cannot be shoved under the rug. In 2019 over 13.9 million guns were sold in the U.S. and there were more mass shootings than there are days in a year, as reported from CBS. This is not an attack on the second amendment, but rather a questioning of the screening process to get access to a weapon.
We understand mental illness is a definitive cause, but there are also other variables to consider other than the illness itself. The majority of school shooters are either young adults or recent graduates of high school. Studies show that in children, exclusion is associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, or aggressive and antisocial behavior. Of the school shooters, three-quarters had been either bullied or harassed in school. The majority of the shooters killed themselves after inflicting pain on others. Why? Imagine feeling excluded, bullied, and not having anyone stand up for you. Feeling that the world around them refuses to show them kindness, they may either wish for death by someone else's hand, or wish they could kill themselves. Despair, loss, humiliation, blame, and anger. All of these things can lead to homicidal thoughts or actions. What's more pressing is that some teeneagers may identify with past shooters who used violence to solve their problem. Early or easy accessibility to guns can turn these violent thoughts into a deadly reality.
Imagine if we, in our schools, reached out to anyone who we see or feel is being left out. We would give each other the assurance that no one is alone, singled out, bullied or harassed. Imagine if we stood up for anyone who was not heard, or felt isolated, or had been mistreated. Some of us are not old enough to influence gun laws, but the rest of us can most certainly influence what happens in our schools.
Social Equity, not talked about often, but it has great importance. Equity is about being provided the tools specific to each person that allows someone to progress in life and achieve their dreams. Social equity moves in sync with social equality because it can help promote upward mobility.
The income inequality gap between rich and poor is wider than in the past 50 years. In 2018, the poverty rate for Blacks was almost 21% in comparison to 8% Non-Hispanic whites. Due to this disparity between social classes, beliefs about “the other who is different from us” start to take root.
It does not matter where we live, we all strive towards making our dreams a reality. We do not need to wait for the government to provide social equity, because we can do it for each other. Chadwic Bosman, as the King of Wakanda in Black Panther, said: “We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe”. Do you not think we can – as Generation Z?
Imagine, if we as Generation Z looked at ourselves. If we look hard at our strengths, we can lend them to our peers who struggle. Helping each other grow would not only promote equity, but also unity.
Imagine the world we will build for ourselves.
We know that the time for debate is done, for we know the steps to take that make our world better – not just for us, but for our kids who will inherit it. We should not question if what we are doing for the planet or even our friends is big enough. All that matters is that we do.
Our time is now, and it begins with a vote and action to help. We have to put our hearts into it, our minds to plan it, and our imagination to make it a reality.
Let’s go, Generation Z!!!
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