I became intrigued while watching a news video of a college student pro-Palestinian protest unexpectedly turning violent. Not as an endorsement of violence; rather, the admiration and enthusiasm of Generation Z students exercising their First Amendment rights—freedom of speech and the right to assemble. It’s important to note that student anti-war demonstrations have been lacking since the protests against the Iraq War in 2002-03.

Identifying catalyst events as they unfold in real time is challenging. Even with the benefit of historical hindsight, these catalyst events are often the subject of debate. When I was a 14-year-old during the 1968 North Vietnam Army TET Offensive, I had no idea that, despite being an eventual military victory for U.S. forces, it started the movement to end the Vietnam War. Now, at 72 years old, I feel similar fervor radiating in the pro-Palestinian movement. Generation Z has revealed a keen awareness of the genocide occurring in Gaza. AAI can only hope that the pro-Palestinian demonstrations are the beginning of the end of U.S. support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza. 

 A generational shift is occurring. The Baby Boomers are quickly fading away. Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z are next up. The main difference among these groups lies in the degree of indoctrination they have received from state-vetted cathedral agencies. Many members of Generation X and the Millennials maintain a strong alliance with the Baby Boomers. All three generations loyally complied with the extensive measures of totalitarianism implemented during the Covid years. Most believe in the narratives that we live in a time of unprecedented liberty, limited government, and liberal democracy governed by rules. In 1970, John Lennon released  Working Class Hero. The song still resonates.

The soft power of the once-compliant media has eroded, leading to widespread distrust. With the rise of the internet (blogs, podcasts, and various social media platforms), traditional media can no longer suppress alternative perspectives on events. Bruised by the COVID years, Generation Z no longer views mainstream media as a reliable source of truth. This generation of skeptics, armed with devices that allow them to access multiple viewpoints, can skillfully navigate around state censorship. 

Generation Z witnessed the State exerting pressure on social media companies to silence critics of COVID-related dictates, such as mask mandates, quarantine rules, and anti-vaccination voices. Once the dust settled, they saw a cabal of criminals conspiring with Dr. Anthony Fauci—a figure who enforced strict lockdowns, limited gatherings, and mandated jabs of an unproven experimental vaccine. Fauci’s wealth grew as his personal freedoms remained intact. Generation Z  saw restorative justice unmasked, revealing criminal responsibility to be selective. George Carlin described the power structures as a membership. “It’s a big club, and you ain’t in it”.

Washington’s attempt at global hegemony and one-world governance has failed, resulting in a range of problems. Washington’s arrogance is likely to focus on the symptoms rather than the root causes of these issues. Likely to incite further discontent from a public emerging from years in an anesthetized state.   

Washington is at a critical crossroads: should it continue down a morally corrupt path or choose a more virtuous off-ramp? It’s a choice between permanent wars, genocide, and financial doom, or renovation and investment in a house abandoned for foreign interventions and servitude to the oligarchy. Force begets force and is never a sustainable solution. National Guard in the streets of our cities will not silence the people demonstrating in favor of a more moral policy.

Our democratic republic should not be allowed to evolve into a total state. A revisionist approach to decentralizing power will cure a lot of ills. Let’s hope Generation Z can introduce a navigational app to point Washington in the right direction.