American Fatigue
By Ryan Jackson
Generation Z, also known as Gen Z, is the first generation to grow up with electronics and social media. Being exposed to real world problems at a very young age has allowed them a unique way to comprehend how politics work in the world around them.
For more than a decade now, Gen Z has seen rising prices for just about everything. In addition, our current president continues to revoke women’s rights, and bully immigrants and minorities within the nation.
Considering how America is regressing — as Gen Z is made up largely of minorities — this leaves many worried about how the nation they are meant to inherit will look for them.
The United States is obtusely becoming fascist. The president is giving orders for human beings to be kidnapped off the streets in broad daylight — referring to them as aliens and treating them like animals.
There is a modern SS brigade — Immigration and Customs Enforcement — that is allowed wear face coverings to mask their identities while terrorizing immigrants and citizens of the United States. As a country, we are isolating ourselves on the world stage and turning the military on our own people.
Political unrest is nothing new to the youth. Every generation has had their fair share of political insecurity during childhood. The difference with Gen Z is they are being forced to navigate through a whirlpool of overlapping existential threats, including social freedom and the climate.
For the minorities of Gen Z, they are constantly reminded of these issues. What is happening around them is not only witnessed firsthand, but from social media as well. These platforms allow issues and other divisive topics to stay in constant circulation.
The promised "American dream" has become a nightmare. The expectation to navigate through school, a social life and the destruction of the planet is making their lives miserable — all so they can clean it all up once inherited.
The political climate is a major factor for why this generation finds it difficult to date and make new friends. Political views are deeply connected with Gen Z’s core values and identity, so ideological alignment is a crucial factor in compatibility.
This explains why maintaining a social life today takes so much energy. Most people self-monitor themselves to maintain an image and avoid conflict. The more friends one has, the more opinions collide, allowing for potential conflict.
Many Gen Z individuals have one or two friends that they are really close to — adding any more leads to exhaustion. The political division of modern America lingers to a point of one not being able to distinguish which views are held in fear of disagreement. We have become comfortable going through life cautious to meet new people, and inclined to keep the ones we already know closer.
It is difficult for much of Gen Z to build an academic career when they see injustice taking place in their community. They are constantly mentally sparring with themselves over how to help to fight back against the injustice.
Even though they should not, some people in Gen Z start to feel guilty when witnessing innocent people being separated from their families and treated like animals while they can do nothing to stop it.
Simultaneously, Gen Z experiences high levels of stress and anxiety as they face significant financial challenges like high debt and low savings.
Denise Padilla, the Director of Social Wellness and Behavioral Support for Chaffey, stated:
“Political instability can impact students’... especially those from marginalized or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, by adding layers of uncertainty and fear to already existing stressors... many may shift into a survival mindset prioritizing basic needs.”
Gen Z should not blame themselves for this nation’s fall into fascism. Many generations that came before contributed to America’s current way of operating and ignored corruption by participating in it. All Gen Z can do now is work toward a better America.
It is hard to be a young adult today. Older generations will call Gen Z lazy or say they have it easy. In reality, all of the political, social and environmental struggles that affect this generation today were created by those same adults.
Somehow, Gen Z still faces defeat with financial instability because of a difference in ideals. All the while, they are not being paid a livable wage.
Owning a car has become an unaffordable luxury. The idea of owning a home is becoming more of a dream. They are expected to pay their way through school when tuition is at an all-time high.
Older generations have the nerve to sit in a home — that cost a fraction of what modern-day homes cost — and say Gen Z is not working hard enough. These are the same people who shifted our political climate by electing the inept politicians who use power to fill their own pockets and continue corrupting the nation.
Gen Z is a victim of the fascism rising in the United States. Their generation has the most to lose from the political agenda that is being rolled out by the Trump administration.
Maintaining a social life through it all is exhausting for this generation, but that does not mean they should give up on sustaining human connections in these troubling times. It is understandable how building an academic career during times of political unrest can make Gen Z feel guilty, but it is important to remember that education is not the enemy here.
As long as Gen Z does not ignore the problems at hand, they can avoid contributing to this nation’s downfall. Becoming involved in local communities is the simplest way to make a change. Attending city meetings and local protests are great ways to speak up and take action in politics.
If Generation Z truly wants to make a difference, they have to show up for themselves. Setting aside one day out of the week to get involved can make a big difference in any community.