In 2003, The Black Eyed Peas asked the question "Where is the Love?" That song had so much impact on a generation, and is used to protest and bring about social change. Recently, The Black Eyed Peas decided it was time for an update and got together with Justine Timberlake and Mary J. Blige to re-record and update the song.
In an interview will.i.am explained why they decided to do this, "I remember when the attack in Paris happened people would say, 'We need "Where Is the Love?" again.' And then Belgium happened, and then Turkey, and then Orlando, and then Philando (Castile), and Alton (Sterling) before him, and then Dallas. Everyone was calling on us, like, 'We need that song again.' " They then call for millennials to take action and be their generation of change. The Black Eyed Peas want the song "Where is the Love?" to inspire a generation of Millennials to ask the same question.
After hearing this story, I got to thinking about what it means to be a millennial. I and so many people are part of this generation that constantly gets put down for our lack of attention, lack of wisdom, and strong connection to technology. There is so much more to us than that. This generation has more power than any other. Unlike generations before us, we our connected across the world. The problem becomes are we utilizing this to the best of our abilities. In recent months we have seen a flood of social issues and injustice sweep our Nation.
We have our black communities screaming out in pain for our police forces to stop killing them. We have our Native American community screaming out for people to notice the danger our sacred land is being put through. We have our political communities yelling out that we need to wake up and pay attention. We have our refugees crying out for anyone to lend a helping hand. We have all of this and much more; and we have Millennials right in the middle of all of it. What are we supposed to do? That question is one that I cannot answer for everyone, but know that there are many ways to affect any one of those issues that our generation is doing right now.
Rosario Dawson is using her star power, as a Hollywood actress, to help Native people protect their land from the risks the oil companies are forcing on it. Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person ever to become a Nobel Peace laureate, speaking out against terrorism and for the rights of other young women in such volatile times. Ieshia Evans stood in a dress as police in riot gear approached her and arrested her. These are just a few strong examples of millennials who stood up for what they believed in. This can come in many forms, often never resulting in a news story.
This is why I write for the Odyssey. Writing has been my place to voice my opinion about some of the world's most pressing issues. I often find myself writing about politics and social issues. People often ask me why I choose to do this, and the answer is simply that I find it important to voice my thoughts on the issues effecting the nation and the world. Many people write for the Odyssey and we all have our own reasons for what we write about. As a Millennial, the Odyssey has allowed me to have my voice hear, no matter how many people read it, my voice is being heard. Not all of us get our chance to stand up and speak to a board like the UN, a protest effecting our area, or a pipeline running through our lands, but each and every one of us has a voice that should not be forgotten.The Odyssey has made sure that mine will be heard. I write to help encourage, inform, and change the world around me. Some weeks it's just the 20 people who happened to read my article, but that is 20 more who heard my voice. That's more opportunities for my opinion to matter. Millennials are so often forgotten about as voice that matter and have some wisdom. No we have not lived a long life, but we all have experiences and opinions that matter. We are the generation of tomorrow. I will do my best to continue to influence that generation and be the voice of reason through the Odyssey.
The Black Eyed Peas is calling for Millennials to be loud and scream out to the world. How are you asking "Where is the Love?" Is it an poem in your class about what is wrong with bullying? Is it going to college to be a doctor? Is it writing for the Odyssey? We are Millennials, we are important, and we won't be silenced.
