Monday, a conglomerate of individuals filled the CSU Plaza in solidarity with Ferguson protesters. We think this peaceful expression of our First Amendment rights is an honorable way to stand for a cause. Millennials are often tagged with allegations of narcissism and apathy, claims that demonstrations like this do well to dispel.
As far as taking action goes, our generation is exceptional as what is called connective action. Connective action uses networks and personalized communication technologies in order to create support for a cause or issue. What we tend to struggle with is collective action; things like showing up to protests or casting ballots.
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Both are necessary in today’s world. Using our social media savvy and ‘hashtivism,’ causes can be organized and linked together, like the Facebook event that spawned Monday’s campus protest. And when our technology is augmented with large groups protesting a cause, we can really make differences in the world.
It can be hard to put aside our personal schedules and take action. But on Monday many students did. And, as addressed in a previous Our View, people our age are taking this action elsewhere, with demonstrations like those that occurred in Jefferson County in September. So whatever cause you believe in, go find what you care about and fight for it.
