Our generation has been called apathetic; we are often considered the generation who simply doesn’t care. Somehow, an image has been formed in people’s minds, in which we sit at our computers and listen to our iPods and text on our phones and ignore everything important that is happening in the world. This isn’t true. Young people care very much about global issues, and recently an event took place in Vancouver that proved just that.
On October 15th, over 18,000 students from elementary and secondary schools all over the province came to Roger’s Arena to attend WE Day. Featuring speakers such as Al Gore, Martin Sheen and Jesse Jackson, this event was nothing short of inspirational. The Kielburger brothers also spoke at WE Day, reprising their role from last year and sponsoring this event with their foundation, Free The Children.
Interspersed between the speakers were musical acts including the Barenaked Ladies, Hedley and Colbie Caillat, but it was obvious that those in attendance were really only there for one thing: to learn from, and be inspired by, the leaders of the human rights movement. They were given a battle cry, a simple “I am somebody. We are all somebody,” uttered by Reverand Jesse Jackson. Now, for the next year and until WE Day comes to Vancouver once more, the young people of British Columbia will spread this message. They will raise money and awareness for those in need. They will show that this generation is fuelled by compassion, not apathy. They will make a difference.
