My Unrequited Advice to My fellow Gen Zs

 Dear Reader,

Like fate would have it, we got tired of the BS being fed to us by the older generation and mostly the government and all the governmental institutions that were supposed to protect us. We decided to take matters into our own hands and fight for change. But if we really want to make a difference, unlike our other counterparts or every youth-led movement, our approach needs to change. So here is my unrequited advice.

The 1975 student protests, also known as the Kenya National Union of Students (KNUS) protests, occurred before Daniel Arap Moi's election as president of Kenya in 1978. These protests were part of a larger wave of student unhappiness with then-President Jomo Kenyatta's government. The student protests were primarily motivated by dissatisfaction with government policies, such as education, political persecution, and the country's overall economic difficulties. Sounds familiar? But let's get to case study 2. On Saba Saba 1990, opposition groups led by Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki staged demonstrations in Nairobi, seeking the return of multi-party politics. The government responded violently to the protests, deploying tear gas, live bullets, and mass arrests to disperse the crowds. Despite the harsh crackdown, the Saba Saba Movement was a watershed moment in Kenya's political history. It signaled the start of broad calls for political reforms and played a critical role in the eventual restoration of multi-party democracy in 1991. #EndSARS was a social movement and series of rallies in Nigeria that began in 2020, asking for the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a contentious police unit accused of severe human rights violations like extortion, torture, and extrajudicial killings. While SARS was officially abolished, the protests raised deeper concerns about police brutality, government corruption, and the need for broader reforms in Nigeria's police force and justice system. The campaign generated a broader discussion about young Nigerians' rights and treatment, and it is still a powerful symbol of resistance to institutional injustice. But sadly, the corruption has not been addressed.

My point of bringing all this up is to show us we are not unique; uprisings have happened before. The question is, How do we have an uprising that actually brings about change that is lasting? So here are some thoughts:

1. Clear and focused purpose.
Define the fundamental issue: The movement should address a single, identifiable problem or group of problems that are deeply ingrained in people's everyday lives or long-term worries. Whether it's about social fairness, climate change, economic inequity, or political reform, it must be profoundly felt and widely supported.
Avoid overly broad goals: Movements with too many goals or competing concepts may lose focus and momentum. Narrowing the subject can help the campaign gain support and push for concrete change.
2. Inclusion and Broad Coalition Building.
Engage various groups. For long-term influence, your organization should include a diverse coalition of people from various demographics-youth, working-class neighborhoods, marginalized groups, older generations, and so on. In this manner, the movement does not become pigeonholed as something relevant.

3. Strategic leadership and decentralized power.
Avoid over-centralization: While charismatic leaders can increase exposure, movements that thrive in the long run frequently have decentralized leadership structures to prevent the organization from collapsing if one leader is ousted, corrupted, or overwhelmed.
Grassroots participation Empower individuals at the local level to take ownership of the movement's goals. A people-powered approach ensures that the movement remains relevant to the needs of many communities and can sustain itself over time.
4. The action's sustainability.
Prevent "hashtag fatigue": Movements built on viral hashtags may achieve rapid traction, but the key is to maintain momentum over time. Beyond social media campaigns, consider taking real-world action by organizing local events, petitions, legal challenges, direct actions, and town hall meetings. Create platforms for continuing involvement. Use technology, social media, and in-person events to keep people interested in regular updates, activities, and discussions. Maintaining public awareness of the issue is critical to achieving long-term change.

5. Clear, achievable demands.
Be solution-oriented. Have precise policy recommendations or tangible requests for change. Movements with specific and practical objectives are more likely to be taken seriously by legislators and the general public. Realistic timelines: Recognize that systemic change takes time, but establish milestones along the way to keep the movement's aims on track. Do not anticipate immediate results, but do expect progress.

6. Adaptability and resilience.
Adapt to changing political climates: Be ready to adapt methods and aims as political or social situations change. Successful movements adapt their strategies to the conditions (for example, shifting from protests to legal challenges, policy advocacy, or lobbying operations).
Resilience in the face of setbacks: Movements will encounter opposition from governments, companies, and entrenched power structures. Building resilience via solidarity, legal defense, and long-term commitment allows movements to withstand short-term setbacks.

7. Nonviolent and ethical leadership.
Nonviolent principles: Movements dedicated to nonviolence are more likely to keep public support and avoid the repression that violent movements frequently experience. Building trust throughout communities and across society is critical for long-term support.
Ethical integrity: Leaders and activists must adhere to high ethical standards. Any indication of corruption, dishonesty, or exploitation inside the movement can jeopardize its reputation and long-term viability.

8. International Solidarity and Global Perspective.
Global Context: Understand that global challenges such as climate change, migration, and human rights necessitate international collaboration. Use your movement's platform to develop support for comparable causes around the world. This broadens your reach and strengthens the credibility of your cause.
Learn from others. Study previous movements (both successful and bad) and implement effective techniques while avoiding mistakes. Drawing on global solidarity, cross-cultural learning, and international media can help your movement grow.

9. Application of Media and Technology.
Master social media. While social media is an effective tool for organizing and generating awareness, your movement should also have a strong offline presence. Use social media to inspire real-world action (protests, petitions, and events) rather than just online interaction.
Create diverse media strategies: In addition to viral articles, consider podcasts, movies, books, or public art initiatives to promote your message across several platforms and demographics.

10. Educational and cultural engagement.
Encourage and inspire. Teach people about the subject that drives your movement, not just through protests or campaigns but also through educational programs, workshops, publications, and multimedia storytelling. Education promotes long-term cultural transformation.
Cultural integration: Movements that transform cultural views (e.g., gender equality, racial justice, or climate action) are frequently more long-lasting because they alter people's daily habits and societal conventions. Use music, art, and pop culture to communicate your message.

11. Policy Impact and Institutional Change.
Push for institutional transformation: While street protests can be effective and meaningful, long-term change frequently involves institutional reform (e.g., the police, education system, corporate policies, political structures). Work with lawmakers, the judiciary, and regulatory authorities to effect legislative and institutional change.
Hold institutions accountable. Create accountability measures to guarantee that policies are executed and produce long-term change. This could involve establishing independent oversight groups, collaborating with whistleblowers, or advocating for greater transparency in decision-making processes.

12. Post-protest Vision.
A vision of the future: Don't only gather people to destroy something unpleasant; instead, present a hopeful vision of what a better society could look like. Having a long-term vision of what you're fighting for (rather than just against) can help motivate individuals to stay involved over time.
Follow Through: Even after significant triumphs, the movement must continue to press for progress and avoid backsliding. The end of one fight does not indicate the end of the conflict.

The key takeaways are that we need to understand that freedom of choice and democracy are illusions fed to us. You don't have to agree with me, but let it sit with you and really think about it. And finally, to build a movement with long-term influence, you must combine urgency with sustainability, activism with institutional change, and resistance with optimism for the future. History is shaped by movements that are adaptive, deeply established in their communities, and capable of breaking down barriers of power and apathy.