Earth-Shattering Youthquake

 

youthquake - noun - a significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people (Google).

There is nothing more monumental, more earth(or at least, norm)-shattering than the potential of youth. When one is young, one is so new, so vibrant, so hopeful that he or she (or they) feel invincible. In the sixties, the term "youthquake" graced the pages of many current periodicals since young people were at the forefront, risking their lives on campuses and streets, rising up against all that the Establishment stood for, including systemic racism in the South and unnecessary bloodshed in Vietnam. And yes, due to their activism, there was significant change as strength lies in unity and numbers. Ironically, though, many of these same juvenile activists are now the feckless lawmakers unable to see the forest for the trees. Could it be that sooner or later, motivated newbies age, lose their ebullience for innovation, and transmogrify into their pedantic parents? Maybe, but I'd like to think the current crew of reformers may be dedicated enough to fight complacency.

This morning as I was multitasking–dipping into my Aussie breakfast of one hardboiled egg, an avocado, feta cheese and walnuts (Try it, you'll like it.), and skimming this week's issue of TIME magazine–I came across the centerfold dedicated to the contemporary youthquake. TIME's "Kid of the Year" is an eleven-year-old, Orion Jean, from Texas bent on propagating kindness via food for the hungry and books for those yearning for literacy. His purpose, like wholesome meals and well-written tomes, can be readily digested: "While we can't force others to be kind, we can be kind ourselves and hope to inspire other people." Nice and simple, but just try to be consistently kind. It isn't easy, but surely worth a concerted effort. Other adolescent ambassadors of change include a fifteen-year-old, Lino Marrero, also from Texas (What's in the water down there?) who has figured out how to charge his cellphone while running down the street. I could use that sort of invention, and so could just about everyone else who has ever thought of taking a mid-day jog around the corner while being serenaded by Spotify on a smartphone. Still more youngsters in other parts of the country rally against racial prejudice and bullying, two ongoing causes that will always make headlines as the issues seem ubiquitous. An impressive bunch of children, no doubt.

Indeed, according to TIME, it seems like the earth is vibrating with the energies of the young, and it needs to continue to be harnessed so that the human race can perpetuate itself. But any degree of revolution must originate from all, not just our junior citizens. Young and old, let's partner together to move the Earth in the right direction. 

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