Changing the millennial narrative can change the world
Self-observed, narcissistic and lazy are a few of many feckless descriptors often hurled at those of us born between the 1980s and 1990s; a generation known as “the millennials.”
And while I will be the first to admit that I’ve seen examples of each of these stereotypes, including the belief that the Internet magically turned us all into recluses with no social skills, I am fully persuaded that millennials possess the greatest potential to change the world.
Because, well, there’s more of us now than the aging Baby Boomer generation – about 75.4 million of us in the U.S. alone, according to Pew Research. We’re a sleeping giant that, once awakened, could be a serious force to be reckoned with.
For instance, reportedly about half of eligible voting-age millennials vote in U.S. elections – if they had voted, it’s possible we’d be greeting the U.S. leader as Madame President rather than protesting every fear-mongering tweet and executive order out of 45’s White House. Statistics also show that at least 70 percent of millennials either volunteer or donate to charitable causes.
Sounds great, right?
However, the problem is that there isn’t a wide-reaching organization or strategy to gather millennials, harness our skills, and hone in on our collective impact toward pervasive issues. So while that toy drive is great, that alone will not truly solve world hunger or poverty.
I took it upon myself to fill this void. Working alongside a dynamic team of young people, I founded the Global Millennials for Progress – a nonprofit aimed at mobilizing millennials around the world to build sustainable solutions to worldwide issues in education, environment, health, human rights and poverty. My roots in Chicago’s Southside bred me for this moment.
I know all too well what it means when the old church folk in the Black church would say, “But for the grace of God, there goes I.” It easily could have been me or my brother slain in the streets of Chicago at the hands police. It easily could have been me without health coverage or access to vital necessities. I’m a Black man coming of age in a time when privilege, greed and bigotry are running amuck and simply existing in white spaces while Black can end inside of a body bag.
If we don’t stand up to the oligarchical policies and blatant on the rise in the world, it will be me or you next.
I welcome you, whether millennial or “millennial in spirit,” to visit our website, www.globalmillennials.org, to learn more about our work, sign up to become a member and take direct actions that will undoubtedly change the world.