The Millennial Generation Finally Finds its Voice

By MONA OSMER

As millennials, it seems that we have not experienced a point in time when conflict was not present, both internationally and nationally. Violence is now a factor of society that we have had to cope with on a daily basis.

In fact, as of Aug. 23, reporter John Blake of CNN questioned the future of America’s democracy while taking the protests in Ferguson, Miss. into consideration. Blake’s article may seem extreme, as he unravels an argument that proposes our future will mold into an anarchic regime, but when paralleled to international current events, is it actually that far-fetched?

Provided that ’“isolated communities ignored by leaders and harassed by heavily armed police forces” will become more prominent, a point made by sociology professor at LaSalle University in Pennsylvania Charles Gallagher, is just one of the sources included in Blake’s article. The argument that America’s current regime may fall due to the non-representation of certain groups in society is also supported by other scholars.

The Middle East is currently falling victim to a Sunni terrorist group known as ISIS, that declared an independent Islamic state, and Boko Haram, another extremist Islamic group based in Nigeria with the goal of converting mass amounts of people to Islam.

Haley Connors, a junior transfer student believes that there is something to be learned from political history.

When asked how she felt about the future of the United States she said that, “It is difficult to tell where our country is headed because we’re in the middle of a cycle, as history is currently repeating itself.”

On the other hand, junior Chris Warring, supports the notion that the United States is still rooted as a hegemonic power.

“It would be hard to change our political regime today,” said Warring. “It’s hard for groups to not be accurately represented.”

However, in a society where media constantly portrays the civil unrest in other countries, sophomore Matt Jaster finds it difficult to stay positive.

“A lot of people do not realize that the United States is just as capable of having the same societal problems as other unstable countries,” said Jaster.

The protests in Ferguson, Miss. have therefore been described as a mirror into contemporary America, but they are also something else: “A crystal ball,” writes Blake.

This means the Ferguson riots prove there is a group of people that feel they are not equally represented in their government and intend to make public note of it.

In countries fighting extremist groups, such as ISIS and Boko Haram, who have been working together to take control of various governments, there is a body count of more than 12,000 people, as reported by Perry Chiamante of Fox News. This is reality, and the prospect of societal destabilization is happening.

Also included in Chiamante’s article is a quote from Kamran Bokhari, the vice president of Middle Eastern and South Asian Affairs for geopolitical analysis from Stratford and author of “Political Islam in the Age of Democratization.”

“People splinter off and create their own factions, like ISIS, it’s really about power everyone wants a payday,” wrote Bokhari.

Not even L.G.B.T. rights have won national boundaries, which is another factor that points to the non-representation of minority groups in America.

There are no doubt sentiments in our society that are being either swept under the rug or are beyond the control of national government. In saying that, however, I do not believe that our government will be subject to an entire wave of civil unrest.

History does indeed repeat itself, and protesting in the United States has for the most part stayed consistently peaceful and productive.

This instance in Ferguson is an important opportunity for our nation to look hard at our current position and evaluate it wholly and effectively.