Of Passion and Suppression - the challenge of youth in a suppressing society.
Contrary to ages past, it would be somewhat safe to assume that we live in relatively peaceful times. Don’t get me wrong, though - there are still some battles, some wars that still go on in one form or another. Some of which are deeply ingrained into society’s foundations, like an ancient curse planted deep in elder bones and seeped into age-old soil. Even supposedly a more civilised society has their toxic traits. Yet, when a newer generation calls out what is happening, they are immediately silenced.
It is indeed a challenge for a society, what more a whole nation, to establish reforms and progress advancements when it refuses to discuss and acknowledge their setbacks, mistakes, wrongs, toxic traits, you-name-it. All the more how these things have been established by an elder generation who have been so set in their ways they refuse to see different perspectives, what more belittling these other views which are different from their own. Not to mention that these different views have been raised by youth who are looked down upon.
Let’s be frank here - it is indeed a difficult fight. The Malaysian youth have so much potential to produce a healthy government with healthy policies that will rightly govern and regulate Malaysia to be the country that our people need and deserve. However, they can only do so much as they are not in positions of power which will implement such changes - hence the various movements, petitions, and other efforts. This is while those who are in positions of power would not (or be slow to) recognise the need for such changes - all because the current status quo benefits these so-called “leaders” and their agendas, serving only themselves and not the people.
The voices of babes cry out for justice to powers in high places, only to hear rebuke as a response to silence these cries. It happens not just in government or institutions, but even with families as well. There are some things which children are able to pick up and call out which elders are unwilling to confess. In turn, children or younger people get dismissed, disregarded, disqualified, and invalidated all because “you are young, you don’t know anything”. I find and observe this to be quite the common tactic faced among youth who are passionate for standing up for something right - suppress or shut them down in hopes to snuff out their fire. To them, I say, don’t let your worth, heart, or intellect as a human being be invalidated because someone older to you said so - keep fighting. Don’t let your fire die out.
Whether you like it or not, the youth are human beings too and their experiences are valid and relevant. Whether you like it or not, the youth are going to be there for the tomorrow you won’t be present in. Whether you like it or not, the youth will continue to be educated, host conversations, call out lies and corruption, and stand for what is right.
Yes, we as youth ought to honour and appreciate our elders. But when it comes to learning and discerning what is right, we would appreciate it if you could bend your ears to us and have level-headed discussions with us, rather than get on your high horses, boast in the salt you’ve tasted more than we’ve had rice, and tell us everything is fine under the guise of relative “peace” when there is restlessness all around us.
We youth are human beings too, just like you. I pray as we become adults we maintain this sense of open ears toward the next generation after us, so that we could all grow together. This culture of oppressing and suppressing one another, whether between races or across generation groups, cannot stand in such a diverse country.
One day, may all of us be humble enough to lay down our weapons, acknowledge our failures, learn from them, and move forward as a nation. May all of us have passion to establish the right things and the right culture, and remove this culture of suppression which aims to kill fresh passion in the younger generations. Godspeed.