The answer isn't the typical party or night out at the movies. On Saturday, April 29th, 2006, I attended the Global Night Commute in Balboa Park. At first, my parents were only going to let me stay until eleven o'clock... but after a food bribe and my expert seventeen year old arguments, I had finally convinced them that the environment was safe and to let me stay overnight. I wanted to live the whole experience.
What was the whole experience, you ask? In one word: awesome. To be more descriptive, it was a large group of people, both young and old, gathering together to have some understanding of the suffering of invisible children. These invisible children were the foundation of the whole event...young children are being abducted every day in Uganda and forced into large, uncivilized camps to become soldiers. There were somewhere around three thousand people in sleeping bags, talking, writing and making art and music... all agreeing on a single purpose...the desire to create peace.
It was so amazing to see three thousand people all sleeping in one place, three thousand people wrote letters to the President, and made artwork to promote world peace. But what really astonished me was that it was so humble and quiet, and I saw so many people my own age there... something that seemed to signify that our generation is neither hopeless nor coldhearted or unaware about a lot of the issues that go on in our world today. I hear many adults say that our generation is difficult to define, because they dont seem to care of anything but themselves, and the youth of the 60's had opinions, they were hippies who protested war. Well, here is something to disprove that point. I think that all these kids at the Global Night Commute is one way that shows our generation does speak out, and does care about third world countries and children beyond themselves who are suffering.
So What Really Happened on Saturday Night?
By meetmeenparis - Posted on May 1st, 2006
Tagged: World
• Better future
My saturday was spent at a concert at a local high school that raised money to combat slavery (this year, in Darfur). It was a good show.
Everyone seems to forget the Beatniks of the 50's (ten times more awesome than the hippies) and the Yippies of the 70's (maybe two times more awesome than the hippies). If anything, hippies were concerned with themselves before others. Hippies didn't give a damn about other cultures and religions (like the Beatniks) and were into complete self-indulgence without heightening consciousness (like the Beatniks).
I find it strange that no one protests the compulsory draft in Israel (which mandates that one must serve 1 year in the armed forces at the age of 18).
--Mike
hey i was just looking around and i saw your comment about israel.
the reason no one protests the draft is that the country is so small that if they didn't draft, they wouldn't have an army, and because of the situation they are in, having one of the worlds bests is critical to their survival. the citizens know this and on a general consensus are okay with it, and there are exceptions and changes that can be made, such as separate troops for orthodox men who aren't supposed to violate rules about women they would normally have to in the army, and that orthodox girls do not have to join, they can do a government internship instead, as they have to wear skirts and long shirts, impractical for the army, as well as the fact that arabs cannot serve, with one group in exception [forgot their name at the moment] because they have a rule about how fighting for your country is the most holy thing to do.
actually the orthodox girls have been protested; most citizens think it's unfair they dont have to serve for their country
i dunno just thought i'd put that out there :)
I was talking about people outside the country (namely, Americans). I know very well why israelis don't protest the draft. But for the most part, Americans don't care if the people of a country are happy if they're under what our ethnocentric point of view deems an 'oppressive government'.
--Mike
Global Night Commute in Dallas was incredible as well. I can't believe that a group of college kids put this all together. One of the guys actually talked about how we're the generation that doesn't care...and I think we do. At least a group of us does.
I think our generation holds some very selfish people. But I also believe there are quite a few of us that only care about giving back. Helping those that can't help themselves. I think every generation has this types of people. Some generations are just louder at it then others. I think our generation is a little quieter at it. Probably because we are doing instead of talking.
Maranda Ash
I think adults claim that our generation doesn't care about anything because we have more privileges than they did and we have been jaded with certain things that during their time was appalling.
All of the GNC gatherings sounded amazing and I'm glad to see so many young people involved in raising awareness of these unacceptable conditions that thousands of "invisible children" live in.
Below, is a poem I wrote about the "Night Walkers." It was inspired by Oprah's program. on the topic. I am building several poetry websites dealing with national and world issues and spirituality. I will post a homepage once published.
Night Walkers
In Africa, thousands of children walk at night
To escape mass death and slaughter.
Driven from their homes,
They have not shelter, food or water.
Every dollar raised counts,
Though it may not seem like allot.
Together your contributions can build a shelter,
That will prevent children from being shot.
It's an outrage to tolerate persecution,
that makes children have to hide.
Let national and world leaders know,
You want them to do something to stop genocide.
Leslie Powell
Copyright (c)2006 Leslie Powell
My friend at work went to one here in Oregon and she said it was incredible.
As for whether or not our generation cares, I think Jon Foreman put it pretty clearly when he wrote "I have no generation, show me my motivation". It's up to us to make it clear that we are a generation that will change things.
~Lizzy
All the little children of today face tomorrow on the wings of dreams and the coattails of our lives
I went to the one here in OKC. It rocked soo much, for all of the reasons you named and more!
I'll post about mine soon.
P.S.
Our generation is going to be responsible for some huge things...just wait and see, it's gonna be amazing.
-Naj
I was in Balboa Park too! Hey maybe I even talked to you? Funny how small the world really is! I got interested in the Invisible Children last year when I saw the video and did a project on it. It really is horrible how much stuff is going on over there. But there are problems everywhere I guess. Awesome that they said San Diego had the biggest turn out of supporters. I cant wait to help and do more.
If you guys have myspaces, you should also look up Global Night Commute San Diego, or the one for your city! They are all creating myspaces for themselves to help promote awareness! So check it out!
See we need more things about this. I have never heard of it, but would be in full support. Instead our country is focussed on vanity and buying new cars. We need to be more globally involved to create peace. Not war! Peace and Creation!
-Kristen