Generation Y, please sit down and listen to yourselves

Generation Y strikes again with loud voices and confidant aims as they strive to build momentum in issues of social change. There is nothing innately wrong or distasteful with activism, but lately, it has reached a dead end. Activists are pulling a push-door, expecting to get through it somehow. Here is a list of the top five activist issues that we all should put to rest; they are overdone, overused and very much past their primes. These issues are already out in the world, and it is up to individuals to make the change for themselves; no amount of protests or info-pamphlets will change their minds. This is not to say that I disagree with their purpose, but I certainly see room for improvement in their means of creating the changes they desire.

5. Veganism

How do you know who the vegans on campus are? They’ll tell you. Their slogan is, “For the animals, for the environment, for your health.” I believe in the power of the individual, but let’s be honest, choosing to abstain from the use of animal products will not change the world’s markets or the conditions of the treatment of animals. If you want to promote the humane treatment of animals, then support the small farmers and ranchers who share your views. It is unrealistic to try to change a consumption market by not partaking in it, and it is even more fantastical to think that there will come a day when we won’t rely on the consumption of animals or their byproducts. If you choose to live a vegan lifestyle, then please do it because it feels right for you — not because you think everyone should be a vegan.

4. Earth Day

April 22, 1970 was the first observation of Earth Day. Forty-four years ago, the world needed to hear about the danger our consumption imposes on Mother Earth, and this was before we had eco-friendly cars and “green” everything. We all understand pollution's exponential deterioration of the environment thanks to public activists such as Al Gore and every other commercial on cable networks. Earth Day no longer has a purpose. We understand the implications of our actions, yet we still choose to believe in the progressive environmentalists to change the world for us. There is no way to solve the climate crisis and there is no way to end global warming without uprooting all of society and disrupting the global economy. Our pollution is a choice, and until otherwise persuaded, it will remain as such.

3. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Terms

Earlier in the year, Facebook added over 50 new gender options for users to choose from. This created a huge platform for the LGBT/LGBTQ/LGBTQIA community. I think that it is great that people are embracing who they are, be it who they are attracted to and/or what gender they identify with inside. Everyone should be free to express who they love without judgement or ridicule. I do, however, find the volume and specificity of identifications to be a bit much. I understand not wanting to fit in a mold, but I think the advent of these new terms overcomplicates the simple notion that everyone is born differently with independent minds and independent desires.

2. Feminism

Buzzfeed currently has a quiz to answer the question, “Are you a feminist?” and it was perfectly written. There was one question that I found especially poignant — “Do you believe in the complete equality of men and women?” When people think of feminism, they think of protests and rallies, of man-hating and non-shaving women. By definition, feminism is a movement for the equality of both men and women. People misjudge what feminism is, and it is unfortunate that only radical feminists tend to make the headlines. It is even more unfortunate that we have to label believing in equality. It is a fact that men and women are different, and it would be ignorant to discount these differences; however, one’s gender should not factor into certain instances. Therefore, gender differences become this perpetual fine line that we all dance around. I find "woman in the kitchen" jokes to be playfully funny, and it is so irritable to hear someone say, “That is so degrading.” Jokes like these are only degrading if you give them the power of degradation. So be a feminist in the technical sense, but really it should just be labeled as being an "equalist."

1. Pro-life

The fight should not be between pro-life and pro-choice because the two are not antonyms. Pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion — it means the right to choose what is best for yourself and your situation. The booths, the protests, the marches all should stop. This debate is completely based off of religion and personal circumstance. You should have the freedom to profess your own beliefs, but please, do not try to impose them on others. I am a free thinking individual who has made my choice to conduct myself as I choose. The guilt tactics, the threats, all of it make me that much more inclined to not classify myself as pro-life. I am pro-choice simply because I do not believe in limiting choices for myself or for others.

Let me clarify that this list is not of things I find pointless or dumb; nor is it a list of causes society should not partake or believe in. They are simply social topics that frustrate me when they come up in my everyday life unsolicited. They border on taboo, and at this point, they shouldn’t be headline makers. There is a time and place for everything, but the walk to the MSE should not include a patch of white crosses that reprimand those who choose to have an abortion. Perhaps this is too blunt, but this is the only way I know how to express my annoyance with the attention these topics raise. These are things that shouldn’t be public movements but rather just accepted to be differences between individuals. You do you and let me do me.

Carissa Zukowski is a freshman from Baltimore, Md. majoring in Public Health Studies and Art History. She is an Opinions Staff Writer for The News-Letter.