As a 26-year-old member of Generation Z, I, along with many in my generation, face the 2024 presidential election with both frustration and a demand for urgent, transformative change. This frustration stems from our disillusionment with the political figures and systems we once believed could lead to meaningful progress. For us, it’s no longer enough to simply vote on election day and hope for the best. We must be consistently engaged in holding our elected officials accountable, staying involved in community efforts, and advocating for the systemic changes that are urgently needed.
The disillusionment that many of us feel began long before this election. Barack Obama’s election as the first Black president in 2008 was a historic moment, one that many in Generation Z—especially Black Americans—viewed as a beacon of hope. However, over time, we saw that his administration, while symbolically powerful, did little to challenge the systems of inequality that continue to harm marginalized communities. Rather than addressing the root causes of inequality, Obama’s presidency oversaw the expansion of military interventions abroad, the continuation of a neoliberal economic system, and policies that left many working-class families behind. This disappointment paved the way for the Trump era, which further exacerbated systemic issues and sowed division.
For Generation Z, this pattern of disillusionment has only deepened. We’ve grown up in an era defined by economic precarity, racial inequality, and environmental crisis, all while witnessing political figures promise change but fail to deliver. The rise of movements like Black Lives Matter, in response to police brutality and systemic racism, has shown us that incremental reform is not enough. Our generation demands a radical rethinking of how we do politics. Voting is important, but it’s not the sole solution. We need to be active participants in our communities, advocating for justice and pushing for the changes that will create a more equitable society.
One of the most glaring failures of our current political system is the way it handles education. For many in Generation Z, the promise of education as a path to success has not lived up to expectations. The idea that getting a college degree guarantees a well-paying job is increasingly seen as a myth. Not only are college graduates burdened with massive student debt, but many find themselves struggling to secure stable employment. Moreover, the educational system itself is failing our youth, particularly Black and brown students. Instead of providing students with the resources they need to succeed, schools often push them out for minor infractions, funneling them into the criminal justice system. This school-to-prison pipeline is a modern form of systemic oppression that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
But it’s not just about reforming education or the criminal justice system. Generation Z is also grappling with the broader economic system and the ways in which capitalism has shaped our lives. Growing up, many of us were taught that success meant becoming millionaires or billionaires, that the American Dream was about individual wealth and upward mobility. But this mindset has fostered classism and division, even within our own communities. More Black Americans, in particular, are turning to the Republican Party, attracted by the promise of capitalism and individual success. However, this shift reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the systemic issues at play. Capitalism, as it currently exists, is not the solution to the challenges we face it’s part of the problem.
What we need is a reimagining of what it means to be successful. Instead of aspiring to individual wealth, we should be focused on building strong communities, investing in our neighborhoods, and supporting each other.
The old way of doing politics focusing on identity politics without addressing the underlying systems of oppression has failed us. It’s time for a new approach, one that prioritizes community solidarity and collective action over individual success.
As we head into the 2024 election, Generation Z is not willing to compromise on the issues that matter most to us. We’re tired of political figures who promise progress but fail to deliver. Criminal justice reform is not just about fixing the prison system; it’s about dismantling the structures that criminalize Black, brown, and working-class youth from the moment they step into a classroom. We want an end to the school-to-prison pipeline, an overhaul of the education system, and a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. However, we also understand that no matter who holds office, the work doesn’t stop after the election. Grassroots organizing, community mobilization, and labor organizing are essential to creating the systemic changes we need. The labor movement, in particular, is crucial in this time of economic uncertainty. The rise of the gig economy has left many of us in precarious working conditions, with stagnant wages and little job security. But we’re also witnessing a resurgence of union organizing across industries, from Amazon warehouses to Starbucks locations. This is just the beginning. As we push for economic justice, we must educate each other on the power of collective action and the importance of solidarity.
Labor organizing is about more than just securing fair wages it’s about ensuring that workers have a say in their working conditions and are treated with dignity and respect. It’s about building a society where people can live stable, secure lives without being exploited by corporations. Generation Z is uniquely positioned to lead this charge, and we’re determined to make labor organizing a central part of our fight for justice.
As we consider the 2024 election, Kamala Harris is an obvious alternative to Donald Trump. However, it’s important to recognize that voting for Harris should not be seen as a victory in itself. While Trump’s policies directly harm immigrants, people of color, and working-class Americans, we must also hold the Democratic Party accountable for its failures. The Biden administration’s handling of the Palestinian conflict and the Venezuelan immigrant crisis, for example, has been deeply disappointing. It’s disheartening to see the struggles of marginalized communities ignored or mishandled by those who claim to be on our side. Still, supporting someone like Trump is unthinkable. His administration’s actions have only deepened the systemic issues we’re fighting against. While we may be disillusioned with the Democratic Party, we cannot afford to throw our support behind a man who has actively worked to dismantle the progress we’ve made.
In conclusion, the 2024 election represents a critical moment for Generation Z. We’ve grown up in a time of unprecedented challenges, and we’re demanding more from our leaders. Criminal justice reform, economic justice, and educational equity are at the forefront of our concerns. We want an end to the school-to-prison pipeline, a reimagining of our education system, and a labor movement that empowers workers rather than exploiting them.
But above all, we know that the work starts with us. Voting is just the beginning. The real question is: what actions will we take after we cast our ballots? The fight for justice—whether in the criminal justice system, in schools, or in the workplace requires sustained action and a commitment to solidarity.
It’s up to us to continue organizing, advocating, and educating, long after the election is over. Only through collective action can we create the transformative change we so desperately need.
