Speechless

As a college student in the midst of the greatest political and structural changes to our nation in 40 years, I can’t help but wonder: What is my role in it all?

Although it’s a question that all people address at some point or another, it seems like the focus has shifted from what impact the nation’s youth will make on society to what job they will be lucky enough to land.

The state of the economy has turned financial security into the sole basis for education and establishing a career – a reasonable goal indeed – but where are the individuals of this generation who see these problems with the nation and world as an opportunity to rise up and make their mark?

One can argue that President Obama is the voice of our generation, as he rallied many young people to vote on change – a word that seems to make anyone over 45 shudder – but there are no prominent leaders outside of Washington.

There are no rallying progressive masses rioting about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or boycotting health insurance agencies that drop friends and family in their greatest times of need.

Is this silence a reflection of this generation’s approval of all government, political and social actions, or just an acceptance of the status quo?

While it may be logical to point toward the general prosperity of America over the past two or more decades as the reason for public speechlessness, there must be something deeper.

In a time of Twitter, Facebook and instant social networking, it would seem logical that protests and interest groups would be springing up on numerous issues with greater strength than at any other point in history.

Instead, there are more fans of “Twilight” than any plan for health care reform.
And it would be far more likely to see a group of college students dressed like Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger for the midnight showing of “Harry Potter” than a group of “radical hippies” in tie-dye climbing trees to save a forest.

The most connected generation is now more lost than ever, and standing up for a cause seems to be a forgotten art.

However, my criticism of student actions is not to say they don’t care – and perhaps it is the opposite, that we know of so many problems it is hard to focus on just one.
It is just to say that we have not yet found our way of making our voices heard. 

Still, as so many of this generation sit silent, America will continue to be in need of strong voices with strong ideas. Hopefully when these voices come forth, we won’t be too busy texting to hear them.