An Ode to the Gen Z

 To my Students- Past, Present and Future

                                            

These two frames adorn a wall in my home, a constant reminder of who we are 

I have been teaching Gen Z for the last few years. I have always felt that when you create a space for them- a space where they feel seen, feel heard and feel valued, they bring in their super powers, uninhibited. They also voice their concerns honestly and sometimes brazenly. It is upon us to find the meaning and not get lost in the blunt tonality. 

It has been moments of discovering new things for me, while teaching them. I have also been a student in those moments, seeing reverse mentoring in action. 

The Gen Z in this country has truly raised the bar. 

Raised the bar on the power of conviction they carry, raised the bar on the thoughts they share and raised the bar on the 'empathetic human' they are. 

As I looked through those pictures, heard those interviews, saw them beaten- but not broken, a part of me felt despondent at the state of affairs and a part of me, felt hopeful. 

An ode to the Gen Z warriors, fighting for what is rightly theirs. 

You bring your indifference, we bring our passion

You bring your baton, we bring our unflinching strength

You bring your power to shove, we bring our undeterred resilience

You bring your barricades, we bring the newer paths

You bring your ruthlessness , we bring our courageous voices

You bring your deceit, we bring our integrity

You being your ignorance, we bring our rights

You bring your gatekeeping, we bring our inclusiveness

You bring your divisiveness, we bring our cohesiveness 

You bring your disdain, we bring our empathy

You bring your hate, we bring our unconditional love

Educate Agitate Organize.