Meet Gen Z activists: Called to action in an unsettled world

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — Lily Mandel has already lived through a national security crisis, two recessions, nationwide civil unrest, a looming concern over climate change and school violence and a pandemic. “It’s like this fluctuation in social expectations of Gen Z,” Del Gandio said. “Gen Z is simply being called to action because of the conditions they’re living in,” Del Gandio said. “Our minds are still malleable so we process information and form our own thoughts rather than keeping the same mindset.” From the 1960s to now Though the activism of Gen Z is unique in many ways, it does bear some resemblance to the social movements of the ‘60s and ‘70s, said Del Gandio, who wrote “Rhetoric for Radicals: A Handbook for 21st Century Activists.” “When we think about the 1960s, it’s often marked by radical activism, radical social change, and often led by the youth. They’re seeing things from different perspectives and they have social media on their side, which shows you different outlooks on the world.” Social media activism Gen Z grew up with social media — Facebook was founded in 2004, YouTube in 2005 and Twitter in 2006 — which gives them a widespread digital platform no generation has had before, Del Gandio said.