While researching what Gen Z means, I had to understand the generation that was born between the 1990s and 2010. I learned that they succeed Millennials and precedes Gen A (Alpha). Thankfully there’s a quote for every generation. This one, which originated with Walt Disney, seemed illustrative of Gen Z: “The Way to Get Started is to Quit Talking and Begin Doing.” Gen Zers want to act vs. eternally debating or studying issues related to governance.
I became interested in understanding this cohort because they seem to be showing up everywhere in political studies and generational discourse. What I learned gave me hope. For example, a study conducted this year by Tufts University about Gen Z Americans and democracy was enlightening.
The study explained that “Young Americans represent both the present and future of political leadership and participation in the United States, despite the current dissatisfaction with democracy in the United States. There is an overwhelming consensus among young people that democracy itself is fundamentally valuable; a majority have strong commitments to its core principles.”
The study points out that Gen Zers have grown up during a troubling time, and not just in American life. They have experienced a global pandemic, economic instability, major political shifts, increases in school shootings, activist movements related to racism, climate change, and the rise of social media and digital platforms as means of primary communication.
Those factors don’t mean that people born between 1990 and 2010 are a monolithic generation. But their diversity, digital connection, education, and aspirations provide them with a collaborative identity, similar experience, and often an agreed upon ideology that informs the unique ways that they approach democracy.
AI helped me understand this generation. On my first search for more information the first thing to pop up online was a helpful list of key differences between Gen Z and prior generations. They include such facts as these: Gen Zers are “Digital Natives,” having never lived in a world without the internet. They are more cautious about economic matters with a view to securing their futures. They are prone to anxiety and stress given the pressures of daily life and political uncertainty. They also value authenticity, transparency and interpersonal relationships and feel globally connected in ways that helps them explore interesting career paths. To be succinct, they live in a uniquely modern world involving innovation, participation, and engagement in entirely new ways.
I wanted to write about Gen Z, not only because they show promise for the future when our current political nightmare ends, but because there are signs that this generation is already capable of making the world a better place for everyone, no matter what country they live in.
Recently, examples have been written about Gen Z efforts and actions in other countries that reveal a commitment to social justice, humanitarian governance, and competent, compassionate, humane leadership by politically astute emerging leaders ready to work for the principles upon which our own country was built. The countries where activism is happening, and working are diverse and widespread.
In a string of articles showcased by apnews.com Gen Z activity in several countries, including Madagascar, where young protesters took to the streets to demonstrate for safe, reliable water and electricity across the country, and an end to corruption. Their actions led to the president dissolving the government. In a public speech he declared that the protesters’ demands were heard, as part of an apology for the failure of his government. Talk is cheap, but the protests clearly had an impact.
In Morocco, over a dozen cities saw young people using social media to mount a movement aimed at improvements in public health and education systems that authorities couldn’t ignore. Again, corruption was an umbrella theme aimed at political parties. In Kenya GenZ protests against police brutality and poor governance erupted throughout the country commemorating similar protests a year ago to oppose tax hikes. Current unrest in Peru was focused on the country’s pension system, and other youth movements took place in Indonesia and the Philippines.
These examples are not just about idealistic youthful protests that will go nowhere. They are a distinct sign that a generation of young people have had enough political abuse and corruption worldwide. They are ready and willing as one protester said, “to get our nation[s] back.”
Historian Timothy Snyder, wrote a recent Substack post about “Youth Protest in Serbia” especially for. American readers. In it he states that “Protests have to do with a basic concern with the rule of law. This is why it’s so annoying when photos in our media are tagged as ‘anti-government protests.’ People in Serbia are protesting for good government!”
He points out that the protests there were student-led but coordinated with the public. They included various actions that needed to be taken and articulated specific demands. Community and sectoral coordination were important while people were urged to participate in governance. In other words, the protests were strategic, important, and productive, not random acts of ire.
It seems to me that Gen Z is learning, preparing, and waiting to take us into a sensible, sane, democratic future. It won’t be soon, or easy, but there is promise in their protests. Gen Zer Greta Thunberg helps sound an optimistic note. “Being young is a great advantage, since we see the world from a new perspective and we are not afraid to make radical changes.” I welcome her enthusiasm, courage, and world view.
# # #