An epidemic is taking over not just the U.S. but the world. Beginning in early September in Nepal, Gen Z took the stage to fight against their country leaders’ authority. Ever since, similar protests have quickly spread to Madagascar, Indonesia, Kenya, and many other countries.
These countries’ young protestors are connected by the belief that their government leaders are damaging their countries.
“What connects these youth-led protests is a shared sense that traditional political systems aren’t responsive to their generation’s concerns – whether that’s corruption, climate change, or economic inequality,” Sam Nadel, director of Social Change Lab, told The Independent.
Social media is also a key factor in the current protests. In fact, the only reason other countries are catching onto protests so fast is because of the internet. This is no coincidence. Gen Z is the first generation to fully grow up in the world of social media.
In Nepal, younger citizens used online platforms to demonstrate their country’s wealth divide. A few days before in-person protests began, the government even instilled a social media ban. Eventually, Discord would be used by Nepal’s Gen Z to elect a new government leader.
Outside of the political mobilization of social media, this is not the first protest organized by a generation. U.S. audiences may know of the popular anti-Vietnam protests Baby Boomers sparked on college campuses during the late 1960s to early 70s. Famously, the Ohio National Guard was called on Kent State University protesters in the year of 1970.
In some ways, current Gen Z protests parallel the anti-Vietnam ones, specifically in their use of political symbols. Throughout the 1960s, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” gained intense popularity, especially on U.S. university campuses. Protesters used slogans such as “Frodo Lives!” and “Go, Go, Gandalf” to symbolize their opposition to the war. Demonstrating the power of politically motivated literature.
Similarly, Gen Z protestors are united by a pop culture symbol of a black flag featuring a skull wearing a strong hat. The flag comes from the anime “One Piece,” a show following a band of pirates as they take on oppressive governments.
In a short period of time, protests across Gen Z have spread like wildfire through social media. Protesters take inspiration from social media to spread their causes, exhibiting the influence of pop culture. In the end, it is still unknown when these events will end, and what will be the last effects of Gen Z’s discontent.
