Ghandi's words seem to be tattooed to the clavicle of every
person in my generation. Tom's shoes are tucked under every pair of dark wash
denim jeans. All of this with one goal in mind—to change the world.
As a peace and justice studies minor, I meet these people a
lot. The ones who get up in the morning and brush off the dust from their
framed mission trip photo. The ones who spend their work study money on Sevenly
t-shirts and save the whale wrist bands.
"Changing the world" has become a trend. And
personally, I'm not sure if I hate it or if I like it.
On one hand, I am happy for the members of my generation that
are beginning to use critical thought and no longer taking the world for what
it is.
But on the other hand, I fear that one-for-one organizations
and certain charities are exploiting the trend in order to turn out profit. Slacktivism
is becoming the norm—that is, people purchasing products under the “feel good”
measure of having a positive effect on social change, without actually doing
research or work.
With my frustrations
in mind, I’m going to step on my soap box for a moment and ask the members of
my generation to seriously, SERIOUSLY consider the following.
-Stop saying you're
going to "change the world". Just stop it. What does that even mean? I’ve
never met one person who could explain this concept in a way that wasn’t full
of vague, Americanized rhetoric. You can’t measure it. How do you even know you’ve
“changed the world”?
-Hitler wanted to
change the world, too. Please, recognize that your “changes”, though may come
out of good intentions, may not actually be so “good” for other people.
-Find a passion.
Make a (realistic, measurable) goal. Achieve it.
-Stop trying to
appear to care about social justice issues—actually care about social justice
issues. Our world doesn't need more TOMS wearers. Our world needs individuals
who are very knowledgeable and passionate about the social issues we'll face
over our lifetimes.
-Pay attention and
engage in what is going on around you. If you don't like politics, take off
your world wildlife fund bracelet. The whales don't need someone who is willing
to purchase a 5 dollar bracelet. They need leaders, scientists, and, dare I say
it, politicians that will be able to develop laws and policies that will
benefit them and their environment.
-Accept the fact that you may never “change the
world” the way you probably want to. Please, understand that there is little
chance that you will become a Ghandi, a Mandela, or a King. But there is a
chance, by making goals, by being passionate, by working hard, that you could
"change someone's life" for the better. That, in its self, should be
satisfying enough for you.
. . . Drops the mic. Steps off soap box.
