Exploring Our Changing Generation | BY ESABEL RONCON
 |
| Credits to Li Ann @la_lianna & Zoe @203.yuyu. |
As we follow the map of time, we come upon great movements of the mind. We cry out and we
are heard. We raise a feeble hand and we are aided. Now is the era where our voices are heard.
The smallest whimper in the dark brought out like an echo.
Social media have made it easier to advocate and speak our minds. Women are treated as an
equal and the personality of a person is not being restricted to colour. Children are less afraid to
express themselves against traditional beliefs compared to blind acceptance. We have certainly
ventured far from when the ‘colored’ and ‘whites’ were separated in a bus. Now, the platform is
ours. There is no divide and rule. The boundaries are limitless.
Social media. One of the largest platforms out there. 3.5 billion users are connected to it and use
it daily. On it, there are rising social influencers with different stories to tell of their own. How
are they able to do it? How are they able to share so openly about their crushing insecurities and
flaws? It is the result of our coming era. As an example, Molly Burke is a 25 years old social
influencer who went blind at the age of 14. She was able to share her tale of how it happened and
her journey to become who she is today, ‘flawed’, sensitive and all. Gigi Gorgeous; YouTube
sensation cum transvestite. Gigi used her YouTube platform to openly voice out and share her
gender transition and honest feelings, a breathing space for others to know more about her
struggles and learn from them. Jubilee; the newest community platform that thrives on
differences in mindsets ranging from liberal to conservatives broadcasted for all to enjoy on the
basis of a simple human right value – dialogue. You do not have to go big or go home, as the
saying goes. All you need is a platform and a voice and people will listen – it’s that simple.
We have grown to be more empathetic and we need not solely words to convey that. Drifting out
of social media, another venue of influence may be the broadcast media. From the daily Fox
News to movies. A copious number of movies fit for our generation’s ‘coming of age’. For
example, Love, Simon, Call Me by Your Name, The Perks of Being a Wallflower – the list goes
on and on. These inspire us to get in touch with our idiosyncrasies and show us that it is ok to be
who we are – imperfections, ugly truths, vulnerabilities and all. Gender norms and standards
have come a long way for now they openly acknowledge the fact that it is perfectly fine for a
man to cry and feel; it is natural for a girl to stand on her own two feet; and it is all part of life to
still figure things out. These movies have progressed dramatically in comparison to the early
1900s where movies did not display such a wide representation.
The world now has given us the courage to step out and into the light. People not only embrace
but celebrate and thrive in being intrinsically different.
“I’m not sure if it’s real or whether people are just following the herd mentality,” Baby Boomer
generation, John commented.
This highlights that although there is a certain curious judgement, the idea of the existence is not
shut down but rather questioned. Not denied but rather subtle acceptance.
Regarding the concept of love and same-sex relationships, millennial and student Samantha Tan,
14, shared that community acceptance is essential to strengthen community solidarity.
“We do not choose who we love and it's good that there is a community where they feel
especially welcomed within,” she continued.
This goes to show the extent of impact media has that a mere teenager has the ability to not shy
away and speak her opinions loud and clear. We are not afraid – together we grow stronger.
With every boon, there is always a bane and a community with a freedom to express, it can take
ugly forms from cyber to physical. The evolving media world has given us the competence to
make a stand with others. To take our stance as one with other forms of bullying from cyber to
physical. Keyboard warriors’ snark crack of a whip beating mercilessly. However, presently,
more of us are not afraid to rise above our ranks and enforce a single persons’ fight on their own.
This is much unlike the earlier era where a blind eye was generally turned as many were too
shaken to vocalize their thoughts. This era has given us the power of voice and change.
To conclude, our time is the time of most drastic change; especially in the aspect of media
influence and self-acceptance. We are given a microphone to amplify our voice and a stage to set
us apart from the dark. Speak and it’ll be heard. Cry and it’s perfectly alright. It’s that simple.
We are the coming of age generation and our voices will be amplified.
0 comments