Children's Challenge

We are currently witnessing an extraordinary type of activism—both in the US and around the world—on the part of young people. They are forming movements of protest against the numerous injustices of our society: for example, climate emergency, gun violence, anti-immigration sentiment, racism, inequality, and environmental pollution. The youth are fed up with inaction and the complicit behavior of their elders.

They see their future being ravaged by climate crisis and pollution. They see their lives being made dangerous and threatening by gun violence and media hostility. They see little chance of achieving a comfortable lifestyle, as the super-rich horde most all the resources. All of these injustices are being fed by our extremely polarized “adult” culture—especially in the US.

These youths are organizing mass demonstrations across the globe, trying to appeal to the consciences of political leaders to quit dithering, stop being puppets of the super-rich, and begin showing responsibility for the oaths of office that they took.

Besides the public protests, young people are also taking action in the courts of law. Their contention is that these injustices—particularly the climate emergency—are a violation of the rights of the unborn, let alone against them. Youths have filed lawsuits in at least two US states against both state or federal agencies, for their failure to take action on these disasters. In similar fashion, youths in other countries are taking legal action against their governments. This past September young people brought a legal complaint on climate crisis to the UN.

It is interesting that young people are taking the lead in clamoring for change—although not surprising. Youths have led before—in South Africa against apartheid in the mid-20^th century, and in the First Palestinian Intifada against Israeli aggression in the 1980s.

Why is it that unsophisticated and immature young people take to the streets and courts, while their elders remain complacent and compliant? The answer is both involved and multi-faceted, but I suspect three possibilities can explain much of elder inaction: (1) over time the older generation has often gradually come to accept the injustices, as the offenses have, little by little, become almost viewed as the norm; (2) some of elders have struggled in the past to acquire what fragile gains they have acquired, and are fearful of their modest progress being abruptly and capriciously terminated by authorities; and (3) they simply no longer have the energy to take a stand.

Our current, rampantly-damaging human culture needs to be challenged; to be confronted. There are many unhealthy things going on today that are fostered either by a disinclination to look to the future (often due to an overemphasis on today’s bottom line), or are encouraged by fear and polarization. 

Many adults have retreated into their isolated silos or bubbles, afraid to confront the injustices or demand change. Too many adults have bought into a top-down process, hoping to bring change; but that approach has demonstrated itself as either being too sluggish for our current crises, or is usually co-opted by the rich and powerful. There is no time left to dither or delay... a bottom-up revolution is badly needed. Let our youth lead the way!