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‘Youthquake’ is a word whose time has come.
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It indicates that young people are taking action to make significant changes in the world.
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Our youth will show us that they are leaders.
Youthquake was Word of the Year 2017 according to the Oxford Dictionaries.
The meaning of the word is, ‘a significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people’.
Youthquake is not a new word. It first appeared in the UK in 1965, But its time has come. It will become a part of our regular vocabulary in the next few years.
Our youth are realizing that it is their lives and their futures that are on the line. More of them will find their voices. More of them will take action.
A great example of the youthquake in 2018 is about the students from Parkland. Florida. They have created a powerful gun violence protest.
They organized the national school walkout on 14th March. This was one month after the Stoneman Douglas school shooting. An estimated 3,000 schools and nearly 1 million students participated. Students stood in silence for 17 minutes to remember the 17 people killed a month earlier.
The March for Our Lives held on Saturday 24 March was another example. It is estimated that it could have been the biggest single-day protest ever in Washington DC. There were an estimated 800,000 participants. The speakers were as young as the 9 year old granddaughter of Martin Luther King. Parkland students like 17 year old David Hogg and 18 year old Emma Gonzalez also spoke.
These students have stated they are making history and are not going anywhere. They have been interviewed by countless publications and television programs. They are working hard to impact the US politicians to make the changes to stop gun violence.
They have notified the politicians that they are only a few years from being able to vote. They plan to make their votes count. They sense that they are at the beginning of a revolution. They feel that they are a growing movement that will stop both mass shootings and gun violence in the USA.
There has been backlash to these students. Yet, the students have been relentless and have not given in. Often the adults are the ones who lose the battle. It is amazing to see what they can do.
Rebecca Schneid, a co-editor in chief of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School newspaper wrote:
“We are articulate.
We have opinions.
We demand change.
And we are not going anywhere.”
Their success will empower other youth. They will realize that they are the ones who will make the changes required to make the world a better place.
After all, they are our future leaders.
Please share your ideas on how we can assist our youth to find their voices. This will enable them to gain the communication and leadership skills required in the 21st Century.
If you require more information, please contact us.
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Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.
Fred Jones
Victoria, BC Canada
Fred Jones
Hey Fred,
Yes it is obviously happening to the chagrin of many who instead of being inspired by these young minds are obviously behaving as threatened individuals. Sunday our priest at the conclusion of his sermon urged ua to find these youth and walk with them! They are the new leaders today not tomorrow. Keep up your efforts on their behalf. They are exhibiting incredible maturity and responsibilities. Talk to you soon.
Cheers, Ron.