When it comes to community and global involvement, I'd say it's pretty easy to get inspired. Almost too easy.
We listen to activists-turned-celebrities like Craig Kielburger fire up a crowd, and our passion to take action is instantaneous; Students of all ages - not to mention, throngs of girls who swoon at the mere off-handed remark of the heart-throb - flock to the merchandise table to pick up the latest in Me to We styles.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing! Hey, if all it takes to encourage support of an organization is a good looking guy with a nack for motivation... Well, more power to you! What pisses me off, though, is the reason behind the purchases and the attitudes behind the words. People just don't seem to realize that the tough decision comes once the euphoria has settled and our vocal chords have been nursed back from hoarseness. We have the opportunity to choose action over inaction, experience over ignorance and understanding over intolerance; shouldn't we take some sort of first step?
"Who's going to change the world?" Craig asked in his latest appearance at the Ontario Student Leadership Conference.
There was no hesitation. Thundering cheers erupted in the crowd of 2000 students who dutifully answered:
"We are!"
But hold on - let's stop and think about this for a moment. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am certainly not won over by a crowd of over-excited, hormone-crazed teenagers. It disgusts me to say this, but I'm not convinced. And neither is the rest of the world.
I'm willing to bet that today's generation of youth-inspired change has confused a lot of people - myself, admittedly, included. But I feel justified in my criticism; I've seen too many people commit only to retreat to the safety of their bedrooms while the world waits outside of their windows.
Volunteer your time at local soup kitchens. Fundraise to provide food, clothing or even Christmas gifts to the underpriviledged. Get involved with global and commuity outlets such as Free the Children, WarChild, WorldVision and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Start by changing personal attitudes. Do your part to fight the inadequacies that fund 1.3 trillion dollars worth of weaponry and military spending and at the same time keep hundreds of thousands of children from an education each year.
In the words of Bill Clinton, it is up to us to establish our purpose, to "lead by the power of our example [rather] than by the example of our power."
We must choose. We must stand.
It's about time.
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This was very well written. Your voice in this piece came across strongly.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say I completely agree with you. Like Ms.Jenkins said at Youth in Action today reins true: "We have the youth, but we need is the action."
I feel as though half the people in the meeting were just there to say that they're involved, yet they aren't doing anything. I have to admit that I am strained for time - but I know this and I do not commit to anything and then back out later. And once my schedule clears I will not hesitate to commit and lend my time to such causes.
Anyways, you stated it all perfectly. Teens these days don't seem to see the big picture. We need motivation before we can claim that we are 'making a difference.'
Great work and excellently put.
Very honest and effectively written piece.
ReplyDeleteThe tone and language create a strong impact and convey your message incredibly well.
You told us the issue, and then what we need to do to fix it as well, which was great.
Great topic too - you tackle (and provide insight into) some exceptional and controversial topics. Bravo!