Why I'm Hopeful For The Future

justcallmedee
Jan 3, 2017
2 min read

2016 was a mess. Let’s not try to deny it. All the death, destruction, and well, the Trump problem.

As a young woman of colour, I can’t say it was easy to hear someone with such xenophobic views was suddenly given so much power. And what was worse was that he was elected, actually chosen, by so many people. He didn’t take that power. He was given it. Because enough people bought into his fear mongering, disgusting views.

It broke my heart to hear of people being threatened, abused and fearing for their actual lives during and after the presidential race.

But I’m hopeful for the future. Here’s why:

Yes, Trump won. But the voting demographics clearly show the younger generation, my generation, voted in favour of Hillary.

And while it angers me that their futures were ultimately decided by a generation that might not have to live with the consequences of the election, (elderly people, mostly), I’m also filled with so much pride and - I’ve said this word a lot but - hope.

I’m so glad and relieved that my generation were able to see through the hatred and xenophobia that their elders couldn’t.

Social media only reinforces this, twitter in particular. Just hours after the results were revealed, so many people used their accounts to promote equality, acceptance and love, at a time when we all needed it most.

Messages of reassurance and positivity were tweeted and retweeted until they spread across the Internet.

https://twitter.com/sugarkisshxrry/status/796326058127724544

https://twitter.com/sugarkisshxrry/status/796349001117433856

It truly is a testament to the open mindedness and kind nature of young people.

So often young people are told they’re irresponsible, lazy, ignorant, unintelligent, self-absorbed. But this generation took a bad situation and tried to help in any way they could.

And it’s not just politics. I’ve seen posts about identity issues, mental illness, bullying, etc. handled and discussed with such intelligence, logic and compassion from people who are so often told they don’t know how the world works.

We were brought up with the Internet. With this vast knowledge of and exposure to the world and the people in it. We’ve made friends in other countries. Funded projects and charities. And supported each other all from behind a screen.

So, yeah. We might not have a mortgage, know how to cook a proper dinner or remember the war, but this generation is tolerant, caring, and strong willed. And as long as the world has people like that, I’m hopeful for our future.