Global Dialogues

The typical lines drawn between generations did not seem quite so clear for me. There is nearly a century between my grandparents and me in age. Between my mom, my dad, and me, we span three of the socially established generations. Growing up, it didn’t matter if someone was from Generation Z or the Greatest Generation, I was curious to hear what they had to say. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the filial values of respecting elders but also encouraged me to speak up for myself and to never be afraid to ask questions. 

Given this background, at first, the question of intergenerational solidarity was confusing to me. It felt like a given. Intergenerational solidarity was my dinner table conversations. However, as we discussed power concentration, activism, and change, the issues of intergenerational solidarity became clearer. When we are living in a gerontocracy, where youth have limited access to making change, it is important to have dialogues where youth voices can be heard. This dialogue, featuring Carl, Emma, and Aina, provided nuanced insights into this conversation of intergenerational solidarity.

A point that particularly resonated with me was Carl’s mention of cyclical generational criticism. Historically, younger generations have been seen as upstarts challenging the status quo, while older generations are viewed as rigid. I think this cyclical nature is an essential baseline to recognize and important to focus on when addressing intergenerational solidarity. To do so, we must acknowledge that as time passes, we all fluidly move through these seemingly rigid divides of youth and age. 

As Emma described, we all have our strengths to bring to the table; younger generations might help with technology, while older generations can speak to their experiences. Bringing these perspectives together allows us to make a bigger impact. I am sure that in the future, I will be struggling to keep up with change and will rely on younger generations to further my understanding. It is this cycle of community and sharing between generations that is so important to cultivate. Both Aina and Emma emphasized the importance of caring beyond the now. They spoke of the weight of policies and historical decisions that our generation is left with, but also acknowledged the potential caring for generations far beyond our own, even seven generations into the future. For intergenerational solidarity, it is important to remember our past and look consciously ahead. 

Through this experience with GGD, I felt even more the value of this intergenerational solidarity in building bridges and creating bonds. It is important to bring younger voices into important conversations and for younger generations to learn from older ones. The cycle continues, and it is important to consider that two people can be right at the same time when they look at a problem from different angles. I will challenge myself and all generations to reach beyond their own to collaborate with others, share perspectives, and gain understanding. As I move forward, I hope to carry these lessons with me.