Here’s an op-ed I recently wrote on Millennial apathy, and why now it’s more crucial than ever for Millennials to speak up for their beliefs.

An excerpt:

Thus we’ve hit a crucial moment in the global experience for innumerable reasons. Chiefly we, as a people, must confront ISIS and its unprecedented streak of worldwide terror. We must also address how this new reality of instant and unknown terror may affect us in our daily lives; for many, the question immediately is how do we react in seemingly harmless social situations that, at any second, could turn deadly? But the more necessary question is why, oh why, are firearms so laughably accessible? And why, oh why, do we fall so easily into propaganda?

A normal reaction among Millennials is to ignore, or to avoid confronting, this reality. Millennials are no strangers to deadly conflict, from school shootings to random domestic terror. Further, Millennials have seen the results: the enhanced militarization of law enforcement; the increase in handgun purchases; advancements in school and public security and surveillance. As noted, Millennials have witnessed horrors in the comfort of their own homes. So when tremendous terror occurs, the reaction may be to act from afar: change a Facebook profile picture to fit the tenor; write a post decrying the terror; show sadness when the tragedy is discussed. But what action do Millennials take? Do they protest on the streets for peace? Do they write to congressmen to change laws? Do they openly debate local initiatives responding to the tragedy?

This is where the mistrust takes hold. It’s why Millennials do not, in fact, act substantially.