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Showing Original Post only (View all)To the older folks at DU from a 20-year-old, about protests, confusion, and love for one another [View all]
Last edited Tue Aug 18, 2015, 02:11 AM - Edit history (2)
My generation is fighting a whole new fight. I'm scared to death, excited, hopeless, and hopeful. In the last few months, I've been in marches, protests, and "riots" for the first time in my life. I've changed minds, and had mine changed.
We're seeing a future slip away that may never have existed in the first place, and we're desperate to hold on to it and create a new one at the same time. We live in a world of distractions, of ignorance and incredible knowledge. We're a confused generation, one that really doesn't know what it wants yet, or how to get it, but one that knows that something, SOMETHING has to change.
For now, not all of us know what we're doing. We're learning. We may not protest in a way that people like, we may not protest in "the right way" for you, but we're learning to influence thoughts and opinions as we go.
Help us, but don't block our way. Give us advice, but make sure you're listening, too. We have a new perspective, one that's just as valid and important as yours--if not much, much more so.
Give us your love, and we will return it. Stand up for us, and we will stand up for you. This fight is all of ours, and we're well aware of that.
There will be times, as recently, when our relationship will be tested. Stand strong for us now, when we really need you. We will make ourselves heard either way, but it will be a whole lot easier with you than without.
There will be a time when our fight is succeeded by our progeny, but for now...it is ours, and we will fight, however we have to, however we can. And we are just beginning.
Edit: wow, thanks everybody, for the kind words and advice. I don't have much time as I'm at work, but I did want to clarify that I don't mean a new struggle, just a different one, in the same way mass incarceration is different than Jim Crow, but racism is still controlling. And no disrespect to you all, too--you bunch are what first inspired me, so...thanks again.
Edit #2: I was planning on responding to everyone who replied, but this has been totally overwhelming. Many pieces of advice you have shared tonight will be being written down in my place for advice. Thank you all, for making this my favorite thread I've posted, and for the insight, wisdom, and encouragement you've given. We may be young and headstrong, but we are willing to listen. Most of the time, anyways--I totally invented sex, I don't care what any of you old coots may say