The fragility of millennials is getting out of hand.

I’m all for change, and there is something to be said for a generation who makes it their sole mission to uproot everything planted in the past (i.e. racism, inequality, etc.), but it’s gotten to a point where no one can utter a word without being, wait for it, offensive.

Our nation is at war with itself over bathrooms and celebrities because everyone thinks the world revolves around them as opposed to the scientific tilt of its axis.

It seems as though millennials expect the change they wish to see to happen overnight. When it doesn’t come, they spew hate and ignorance all over social media and riot in the streets, as though their virtual and destructive tantrums will be the outcry necessary for the big bosses to finally hear them out.

Now, I’m 20 years old. I fall directly into the category I’m putting on blast, and I’m ashamed of it (not offended by it, there’s a difference), but allow me to SPEAK UP.

It saddens me, as I agree with my generation’s stance on a myriad of issues, but I will not stand behind their methods.

If it is change you seek, it is change you must demand. I don’t mean demand in terms of in riots and brawls when you don’t get your way; I mean demand in similar terms as respect. Consider a work environment, if you will. If you are demanding the respect of those around you, you won’t walk into the office every day and flip the chairs and light all of the paper on fire because you don’t feel as though you’re being treated fairly. You come in every day with your head held high, and you make damn sure that you are the best employee you can be. Respect inevitably follows.

Remember Gandhi? “BE the change you wish to see in the world,” don’t just cry about it.

If you need some guidance, allow me:

Change comes with education; educate yourself on the issues at hand. Read the laws, research the politicians, and vote or create petitions to draw attention to the less popular, but equally important issues.

Change comes with peace; if it’s violence you’re fighting, why are you fighting? Speak up, don’t act out.

Change comes with example; lead those around you by being a model citizen. In an effort to stop the hate rapidly scorching our nation like a raging fire, be kind. Love those you disagree with.

Change comes with acceptance; a difference in opinion is inevitable, but there is something to be said for those who are able to understand that you will never be able to unite 10 million people under the same values and ideas, let alone 325 million, the very concept which lead to the creation of our democratic republic.

Change starts with you.

No matter how powerful you get in your life, you will only ever have full control of yourself. When we all learn to embrace this mentality, we will spend less time in social media wars trying to convince our friends and outdated family members that we’re the only ones allowed to have opinions.

My fellow millennials, there is strength in numbers, and you will soon realize that UNITED, we outnumber our counterparts. However, in an era of “participation trophies,” and “Good Job!” stickers, we seem to have fallen ill to a sense of entitlement. We are sick with the idea that we can, and we will, always get what we want.

I don’t know how your household was run as a child, or what your work environment is like, but I grew up understanding that I needed to accept the cards life dealt me. The earth doesn’t spin faster because I want the day to be over with. My boss doesn’t let me work from home everyday just because I’d be more “comfortable.”

We will be so much happier the day that we realize we cannot control every aspect of our life; the day that we realize that some people will never come to terms with our ideologies and our values. You can live your life how you please, but you can’t force everyone else to accept it.