One Great Thing That’s Different About the World Today: Young People Speak Up and Seek Advice

One of the things I’ve learned, especially since the last two elections, is how effectively young people speak out on political matters. When I was in my 20s, 30s, and even 40s, the platforms available weren’t as inviting, and I didn’t have the courage to use them as boldly as today’s youth. But now, I see thousands of intelligent, caring, and politically committed young men and women speaking up loudly and confidently, paving the way for a better future.

Last year, when I saw pictures of young people protesting on college campuses, I was reminded of my own college days—especially when Dr. Martin Luther King was murdered, and my instincts led me to organize a march at Michigan State University. When I first saw today’s students protesting, my initial reaction was, “My goodness, this is the same thing we did 50 years ago—has nothing changed?”

But then, I listened to what these young people were saying, and I realized—a lot has changed. This is where social media has made a difference. Through messages of hope, podcasts of knowledge, shared information, and coordinated efforts, real change is happening. There are more of us than ever before, and we are becoming more committed with each passing day. The stakes are higher than ever, but I feel comforted knowing that today’s young people will continue the fight for equality and justice—pushing forward the progress my generation could only begin.

So, to the young people of today: keep speaking up, keep sharing your voices, and keep mobilizing others. The world needs you, and it will need your children and their children to continue this journey until the equality we seek is achieved. No single generation can do it alone, but if we build upon the progress of those who came before us, we’ll continue moving toward the future we envision. There will always be more to do, but together, we can stay on the path.