How America Claims to Love Youth and Its Actions Don’t Align

If We’re Choosing Sides, then I Choose theirs

Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash

My mom always says, “choose your battles wisely,” and right now, in the United States, there are a plethora of battles to choose from. It’s nearly impossible not to notice the clash of liberal and conservative values dominating national conflicts. Or how it splinters into disputes around racism, sexism, classism, education, and generational wars amidst a global pandemic and increased global warming.

The bottom line is, change is happening whether we want it or not. Our shared reality is forcing us to choose sides. Even refusing to pick, is a side of its own. For personal reasons, I’ve chosen several sides — because who says you can only pick one? — but if I absolutely had to put all my eggs in one basket, then I choose the youth.

Brief Background

First, you should know, I’m not a parent — I don’t even have nieces or nephews. This fact may make some people assume I have no right to speak on this topic and, maybe I won’t win fans by writing this article. But these words have scratched at my insides for weeks now, and I have to get them out. Besides, I’d argue that my childless nature might provide a different perspective of things.