The Editor Speaks: Should we encourage youth activists?
We carry a story today (14) in iNews Cayman titled “Youth activists are key focus of Caribbean Violence Prevention Summit”.
The article announces “The Caribbean Summit on Youth Violence Prevention”, that will be held in Georgetown, Guyana on January 15-16, “will convene leaders from youth movements, governments, civil society, development organizations and academia, to design transformational youth-centered action to combat crime and violence and address constraints that youth activists face in improving safety outcomes in their communities.”
Social media is encouraging our youth to protest virtually everything under the sun by walkouts, speeches and even disobedience.
I have no problem with peaceful assembly and it is good to hear what the youth ‘s views are.
However, what is being touted is a sort of sanctified picture of mass protest, to exercise your rights, make your voice heard, and bring change.
What is wrong with that?
To me, a lot.
To singularly encourage street protest is no way to teach a child!
Adults have every right to protest but I strongly feel exactly as Edge of the Sandbox writer does when he states “it really takes a middle-age perspective and disposition to properly understand the dynamics of large crowds and conduct oneself with appropriate restraint.”
Therefore we should also be explaining to our children exactly what is wrong with mass protests.
The aforementioned writes goes on to say “A protester is swallowed by the masses, chanting, singing, agitated. He makes acquaintances with friendly strangers, all of them are moved by the same cause. He feels a sense of belonging; the righteousness of a cause is confirmed by the ― usually overestimated ― size of the crowd, and since the cause is righteous, he feels justified in doing anything he deems necessary to advance it. All of a sudden he finds himself acting out something only an hour ago he found unconscionable, like chanting an embarrassing ditty, burning a flag or throwing a rock. His self is broken, and he is ecstatic.”
Far more protest marches have little or no success than the very few that do. That must be taught to our children.
To sum up:
“Protesters like to chant “this is what democracy looks like”, but it’s not. It’s merely how some people choose to voice their opinions, and politicians know it. What matters more in a democracy is learning history and civics, staying informed, and voting.”
Conformity or not, our youth/children are not ready for the public forum. Professional activists know exactly how to “rub raw the sores of discontent” – master manipulator Saul Alinsky .
With time and experience our youth may learn that other perspectives exist and may even adopt some of them.
My advice, from a long in the tooth , do not encourage youth activists without first warning them of the dangers. Tell them to grow up first, but you will be pleased to hear their views – peacefully and one on one.
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