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In the face of looming threats like climate disaster, gun violence, and wealth inequality, one might expect a generation galvanized into activism. Surprisingly, it seems quite the opposite. As a high school student, my views are shaped by limited experiences, but what concerns me is the potential for today's challenges to become mundane for the upcoming generation.
Overexposure has a knack for making even the grimmest realities seem ordinary. Gen-Z, often seen as a savior for the left, is predominantly Democratic, with only 17 percent identifying as conservative. However, this political leaning doesn't necessarily translate into widespread social activism.
Issues like climate change, gun violence, and wealth inequality persist, but constant exposure can dull their impact. It's akin to having a great meal every day - the urgency of these crises can lose its edge, becoming part of the background noise. Could it be that our generation is becoming indifferent to these serious matters?
Consider the irony of a generation addressing gun violence through memes and casual banter. Some argue it's a coping mechanism, a way to grapple with an imminent threat. Yet, such a response hardly justifies apathy toward a serious emergency. It hints at a future where societal issues are met with resigned acceptance, a disheartening prospect.
The uncertainty surrounding our generation's political path echoes the transformation of the once-idealistic baby boomers. Initially characterized by the liberal ethos of the hippie movement, a significant 31 percent of them now reliably vote for the Republican Party. Could it be that they grew weary in their battle against violence and injustice, conditioned by the very issues they sought to eradicate?
While I'm unsure of the political inclinations that will shape my generation, one conviction remains—the danger of growing accustomed to the urgency of extreme issues. The media often trivializes gun violence, reducing it to a meme-worthy spectacle. School drills preparing students for shootings are treated with the same nonchalance as fire or earthquake drills, ironically relegating an unforeseeable event to the realm of predictability. As we equate these consequences to random calamities, we risk perceiving them as beyond our capacity to influence—a dangerous mindset, akin to not protesting against a fire.
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