Commentary: Don’t Be Gen ZZZZZZZZ
A Call to Student Power for Peace and Justice
by Tim Salladay
Tim Salladay is the newest H4PJ Staff Member and will focus on college outreach

Let’s face it. The USA is a rich, obese, self-absorbed, consumption monolith. Sure we “give” more than other countries to foreign relief (mostly out of guilt and ulterior motives), but the amount is not relative to our waste.

That being said, we are also a nation of innovators, deep spirituality, conscience and generosity. That dimension of us has been overshadowed by a fearfulness and laziness that has redefined us globally. When it comes to peace and justice:

IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP.
IT’S TIME TO GET UP.
IT’S TIME TO STEP UP.

WAKE UP!

Who will lead the charge? The answer is easy. The sleeping giant will lead. Lethargy, apathy and comfort have, until now, defined the giant. The giant actually is representative of a large segment of potential world-changers. Collectively, they are the ones who have always led us toward wholeness, fairness, freedom and kindness. They are college students, and they are currently waking up to their influence and power.

All major spiritual renewal and social “correction” have come by the impetus of younger people, usually students. On virtually every continent, major awakenings have been spawned by zealous university students, unfettered by doubt, cynicism and apathy.

Dr. Clarence Shedd, Professor of Christian Methods at the Divinity School of Yale University, in his definitive work Two Centuries of Student Christian Movements, makes the following statement:

In all ages the great creative religious ideas have been the achievement of the intellectual and spiritual insight of the young … In literature, the arts, the sciences, many of the most revolutionary ideas have been worked out by youth between 18 and 25 … Since Jesus' time numberless bands of Christian youth have turned the world upside down and thus led mankind forward in its struggle for freedom, and deeper religious experience. The universities have always been breeding places for such groups.

(It is interesting to note that this was written in 1943 and not in 1970, as might be assumed.)

GET UP!

We have seen it before in this country. We have examples in contemporary times to remind us of student capability. The “authenticity” movement (June Cleaver never was real.), the “hippie” movement (personal freedom), the peace movement, and the Jesus movement of the 1960s may still resonate with many of us “old folks.”

Tiananmen Square is a good international example. Make no mistake: if that student uprising had not happened, China would not have progressed this far this quickly. The cat is out of the bag.

We are only now starting to really see the cultural snowball effect of the Stonewall riots, which marked the beginning of equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, because of thousands of youth organizations that are promoting tolerance and understanding.

Of course, there is also a dark side to student power, and there are plenty of examples of youth movements that have been misguided:

• Hitler Youth
• Roving gangs in our cities
• The civil and tribal unrest on the African continent.

What is it that defines the POSITIVE side of student impact? Simply, it is the genuine touch of God. It’s not just the educational environment of the university that will cause students to rise to the occasion. It is, in fact, mostly, the youthful idealism and total commitment that are transferred to people from the very mind and heart of God. No matter the religious tradition, the truths of spirituality and faith must be the seed.

Is there a model for success? Yes. The model is the “God Cell.” Cell groups, small groups, home groups, circle groups, charters, chapters, caucuses—whatever name they adopt is of no matter. What matters is for small gatherings of like-minded zealots to organize and create a movement bigger than themselves. These groups always have been the arenas that spawn great movements. I think global peace and justice is a worthy goal, don’t you?

These grassroots groups will raise awareness locally, band together regionally, and demand change internationally. Remember apartheid resistance? The groups will be worldwide, but we must create and nurture them in the United States first because of our resources and freedoms. We also owe it to the world that we have alienated by our selfishness.

What will these groups look like? What is in the H4PJ-Cell DNA?

• Each cell will be INTERFAITH in membership.
• Each cell will be CONNECTED by the H4PJ network.
• Each cell will be STUDENT LED and empowered.
• Each cell will be FOCUSED on the five H4PJ Principles.

STEP UP!

Where are you, college students?

H4PJ is sounding the call, looking for the hub campus. We are looking for our first location, which will be the birthplace of this movement. We know there is that first university that has the courageous students who will make this their mission. From you will come the other cell groups that will spring up around the country and the world.

It’s YOUR time and it’s YOUR turn!

In ancient times, a generation was considered to be 40 years. Well, it’s been right at 40 years since this nation’s last big cultural shift. It’s time for the children and grandchildren of the baby boomers to shake it up in a big way. Chances are your efforts will strike a chord with those boomers and reawaken them as well.

The media has segmented 18-30 year olds into sound bytes and snippets with cute little names like “Generation X,” “Gen Y,” “Gen Next,” “Gen Q.” The youth of this day will not be marginalized. You will resist the designation of Gen ZZZZZ. You are not asleep. You will wake up, you will get up and you will step up to the task of facilitating peace and justice. It is a powerful hope you bring.

When you support H4PJ, your donations help to fund this program that hopes to raise a generation who believe in peace and promote justice. Take a moment to support H4PJ today! Click here to make a contribution.