As of late, I’ve developed an overwhelming frustration with humanity as a whole. I’ve even developed an aversion to any type of media: the loss of what could have been one of our generation’s greatest talents (Heath Ledger) riddled by scandal in the media before his corpse was cold, and one of our generation’s lost causes (Britney Spears) made worse by constant media attention have finally taken their toll on me. Upon opening my Internet Explorer the other day, I was smacked with yet another headline about a public shooting spree and contented myself with just giving up any hope that was left.
Then I received a YouTube link that shook me to the core. It was the new song/video created by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas featuring Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech from his New Hampshire campaign stop. Now, I know it’s election season and Obama is a lingering presence as a presidential hopeful, but this is not an election plug or an endorsement for any candidate.
Although Obama’s speech was directed at a nation, at America, it made me think about our generation, which should not be “as divided as our politics suggest,” to use Obama’s words. Many of us are making it paycheck to paycheck-if we’re lucky. Some of us are occasionally struck with the worry of whether it’s fair to bring children into this very chaotic world, while others must worry daily about the safety and education of children already here. Most of us have been affected by the current wars personally. Many of us are subjected to some form of prejudice despite the diversity of our campus and our nation.
These are the topics which inhibit me daily and constantly jade the way I look at my future. Most times I can find the silver lining, but lately that’s been a trying cause; it’s easier to tuck in my head, do what I need to do and let everyone else fend for themselves. However, after reminding listeners of some of the greatest moments in our nation’s history-beginning with the writing of the Constitution and ending with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-Obama states that we should “always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.”
In light of the atmosphere in which these words were spoken, many took it as a plug for voting. Yes, you should vote if you qualify as a voter, and I strongly believe that if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain. But more than advocating the importance of voting, these words invoke the importance of a generation that should be able to put differences aside, agree that things are screwed up without pointing fingers, and do what we can to make a change. If all you can do is punch a ballot, then punch it as an informed citizen every time. If you can contribute to the community, do it knowing that you may be influencing the next historical figure, rights activist or leader of the free world.
As lame as it may seem, the idea to “pass it on” still exists, and it’s up to us to make it happen. Think about others in the same perspective you think about yourself. Allow some leniency in the mistakes and shortcomings of others because you’re not perfect either. Try treating others as if they’re dealing with the same hardships you deal with. If we can put the petty differences aside, and say “Yes we can to justice and equality…to opportunity and prosperity…heal this nation…repair this world.”
This speech sent me back into motion as a human part of the bigger picture. If, in two days, Will.i.am can bring together some of Hollywood’s top performers to make a statement, then we can come together as a generation and take a stand for our future. Now is the time to do it. Go to Yeswecansong.com where you can watch the star-studded video and read Will.i.am’s inspirational process in producing this non-endorsing, but powerful, video.