It is really inspiring to me that in the 1970s American university students were a huge part of ending Apartheid in South Africa. It took a long time and much effort, but their divestment campaign in the end achieved what it was meant to do. Universities ended their investments in the corporations helping out South Africa. This caused South Africa’s corrupt white minority government to lose a lot of money, and they were forced to let black natives have the rights they deserve. This could not have been done with out my country’s university students. People my age and slightly older were largely responsible for giving a whole country of people back their freedom.
In the United States young adults are often very underestimated. However, if young adults in the 1970s could make such a difference, young adults today are capable of just as much. Growing up we learn about historically important people, who often are not only much older than us, but just plain old. When stories of important young people in our history are not often told, it is difficult to imagine anything but an old face behind all of the important events of our world’s history. Then unfortunately, this image is carried over to problems that need to be solved today. It is true that young people have less world experience and are capable of making mistakes, but adults are just as capable. For example, the United States has an immigration problem that is being left up to the older people in the government to solve. However, Arizona has chosen to deal with it in a way that many people including me think is very wrong. I bet young people have much to say about this decision, and that we could probably even think of a solution, if given the opportunity. There are so many things that young people are capable of that if given the right means can accomplishment. I love learning about people my age accomplishing great things, because it is motivation for me to get out there and fight for what is right.
Cara, I myself have thought about this same issue. Why aren't there as many young voices in the government. I think your connection between Africa, Arizona, and the U.S. is very direct. I think in order to move on as a society and to have equal rights for all voters, in the house of reps. lets say, we need to have young voices and people in there trying to represent a good majority of our country. Its about representation, and a lack of it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I would caution you to qualify your claims and be sure to recognize that American University students contributed to the anti-Apartheid struggle and they succeeded in helping the anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa to succeed -I too think it is incredibly important to know that the world has been shaped by people other than the Great (usually White) and usually older Men. Such a narrative gives a false view of history which is not only inaccurate but contributes to a dangerous sense of apathy among young generations who then remain passive observers of the forces shaping their own world. It is inspiring and motivating to learn that ordinary, average, young people have made a positive difference in the world and we can too!
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