How Millennials and Gen Z Have Changed Activism
Active citizens are the basis of democracy. Activism keeps our governments and corporations accountable.
We are living in an era of activism. People are not only waking up to the importance of looking after our planet, we’re also speaking out about it more than ever.
We’re going to protests with signs. We’re marching for the climate. We’re signing petitions. We’re taking to social media. And most importantly, we’re using our voices and amplifying each other’s.
Gen Z are more likely to engage in activism through social media and participate in movements for change than other generations.
84% (UK) and 80% (US) are willing to campaign (anywhere from signing an online petition to attending a protest) for change on critical social issues (systemic racism, abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, the environment, and gender equality).
Below are some of the popular ways this generation has changed activism.
1. Increased focus on climate change
Climate change is an important topic thanks to Millennials and Gen Z.
In 2022, one of the most notable differences is the rise of veganism as an ethical dietary choice due to the environmental impact of eating meat and dairy.
This form of activism results in lowered demand for meat and dairy-based products, with a view to changing the world’s agricultural practices.
2. Using social media to organise people for important causes
Social media allows the organization of activism to be more accessible than ever before.
Young people are actively backing social causes online.
Where previous generations would have to seek out like-minded individuals in person or canvas an area by going door to door, Millennials can reach a large audience with one post online.
It is also significantly easier to start discussions with others online.
Here are some tactics Gen Z use to organise people online:
Using hashtags
The use of hashtags has been a significant change in activism in recent years.
Hashtags allow people to find information on issues and connect with people across the globe.
The #MeToo and #blacklivesmatter movement is a classic example of a hashtag used to promote an important issue regarding misogyny, sexual harassment, and violence against women.
In 2022 there have already been plenty of hashtags dedicated to vital issues faced by people nationally and internationally, including the #BreakTheBias campaign dedicated to gender equality worldwide.
Participating in online strikes
Strikes are nothing new, but striking online is a relatively recent phenomenon, popularized by Greta Thunberg in 2020 during the pandemic when physical protests were unsafe to organise.
These strikes involve posting images of themselves at home with signs, messages, and hashtags explaining the reason for their online strike.
This form of striking makes activism more accessible to those who normally cannot attend a physical protest or rally, whether because of location, funds, or other obstacles.
Some of the other online strikes include protests against the Ukraine war and the rising cost of living.
3. Protesting against unethical fast fashion practices
Millennials are still active in person.
Fair fashion campaigner, Venetia La Manna, has held several in-person protests against unethical fashion practices across the UK.
La Manna said: ‘Pretty Little Things is a highly exploitative brand that doesn’t pay its workers support unions’.
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Printed T-shirts can be a great way to get your message across everywhere you go and show the world what you stand for.
