Do you still shine with youthful optimism? How do you feel about idealism? This morning, and I may regret this – I’m sharing some idealism that I just witnessed. It’s youthful, it’s optimistic, it may be overly simplistic as most idealism is.
It’s an idea. An idea that a few kids, ok, 20-somethings – can make a difference in the world.
Let me back up a bit. When I was a teenager, my family moved to Zaire for three years. Along with the other diplomats’ children and missionary kids I attended a boarding school. Among my roomies were were Swedish, Norwegian, Zairian and American girls. I am Canadian. During those formative years I lived in a veritable United Nations of schools. On Fridays, the flower ladies came from the village and we batted our eyelashes at our latest crush to get flowers. Saturdays we trekked into the village for deep-fried slices of cassava, and coconut milk out of the coconut. We climbed trees and picked ripe guava and loquats; we grumbled about locust season and homework.
In my generation, my childhood is unique. But for this millennial generation, it isn’t so spectacular. Kids nowadays are far more integrated into the world as a whole. My kids go to school in a United Nations of cultures while we live in Canada. But in any generation, we grow up wanting to make a difference. We want to be firemen, superheroes or doctors.
An amazing example of the millennial generation’s optimism and solidarity is this story I just watched. It started with a 20-something in 1996 who was going to change the world. His dream was to take down the number one International War Criminal Suspect.
In his words,
Money and power used to dictate stories, lives… opportunities. Now it’s bigger than that. People of the world SEE each other.
What happened next, is astounding and has already rippled through millions of viewers. These young people started a social media movement. They have pressured the US government into action not because of any financial or political gain, but because of the masses of supporters. And people are getting on board faster than ever – its gone viral.
You’ll get goosebumps watching this – not only is it an amazing cause (you have to start somewhere and why not #1?) but it is the power of our youth – our new system – our inter-connectivity as a human race.
My skeptical side, immediately wanted to know – what does he gain? Is it for real? Can these young people handle a viral campaign and stay true? See their answers to similar critiques that have been published.
And visit the KONY2012 Website to simply sign your ‘pledge’ (not financial) to support the campaign.
Are you still skeptical?
