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YOUTH ACTIVISM AND FIGHTING INJUSTICE
The Black Lives Matter protests that have been sweeping across the globe have been among the most defining moments of 2020 thus far, and have exposed the deepest cracks in global systems. Young activists have been at the forefront of seeking justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery, and countless other black men and women that have been victims of racist attacks and police brutality.
These protests have triggered a global movement of young people engaging in activism. Youth have taken to social media to unmask all injustices in their respective communities and educate one another on systemic racism (specifically anti-black racism), white privilege, and how we all can unlearn the toxic stereotypes, prejudices, and mindsets that we may subscribe to intentionally and unintentionally in a bid to promote and justice for today and future generations.
Youth have long been drivers of social change around the world. All throughout history, young people have advocated for social change by protesting, demonstrating, and articulating their concerns about the issues at hand while advocating for changes in legislation. Because young people often have the desire, energy, and idealism to do something about the injustice they see in the world, they are often successful in influencing positive change.
Young people have transformed their feelings of anger, sadness, and hopelessness into concrete actions that can make the world more equitable. With the rise of social media, the youth now more than ever have the opportunity to engage in advocacy for peace and justice by calling out various injustices and demanding change. Barriers that previously affected youth engagement in seeking social justice like lack of platforms or limited access to information have been bridged by Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok. These social media platforms have brought youth from all around the world to realize their collective power and step-up to form and join groups that promote peace by fighting prejudice and injustice.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, youth activism this year has largely taken place online. Youth have taken on educator roles by launching online educational campaigns to help their peers and the society at large to examine implicit, overt and even covert forms of bias and discrimination. Through these campaigns, they are providing their followers, peers and the world with the structure, opportunity and tools to do something about the injustice they see in the world.
To a Rwandan living in Rwanda or on the African continent, upon first glance at the Black Lives Matter Movement, we can be deceived to think that it does not concern us. “We’re all black here, there is no racism”, “We are not affected” are some of the common statements I’ve heard from people defending why we as Africans have no business jumping onto the Black Lives Matter bandwagon. Unfortunately, this is untrue for a couple of reasons: Black people have been victims of discrimination and racism in many places including their own continent. It may not manifest itself the way it does abroad, but rather has taken on other forms through the legacy of colonialism that lingers on the continent.
Colorism and tribalism are among the most evident injustices taking place on our continent that can be directly linked to colonialism which is linked to white supremacy. When we discriminate against somebody because of their skin tone or tribe they, we too are contributing to the existing system of inequality and injustice.
As youth in a country that has experienced the detrimental effects of injustice, inequality and discrimination, it is imperative that we join the global movement to fight injustice. Whether it is through educating ourselves, educating others, using our platforms in society and online to raise public awareness, we can all play a role in building a peaceful world that is intolerant to injustice, bias, discrimination, racism and prejudice in all its forms. The only way we can fight injustice is to act.
Read the full Magazine: Youth Voices-Issue005