The world is in crisis and the Gen Z’s have something to say about it. I asked Sianni, a young 22-year-old from Philadelphia; how is Philadelphia Changing and what are the take aways for you? She replied, Relationships, communities are changing; you can’t leave your porch and have block parties, people are dying, it’s so heart breaking. She stated that when she was younger her parents shielded her from the visuals, but as she grows up and goes out in the world. She talks about how mental health is a serious issue affecting young people today and that if we do not address that and the problem of poverty, then we will devolve further into decadence and disaster. It starts with mental health. People are so prideful and are afraid to get help, in minority communities they do not talk about mental health, they’d rather drink or smoke. But we need therapy sessions and free mental health clinics and treatment for young people.
She also stated that It also starts with having conversations within the homes, classrooms etc. with young people. Talk with
them. We explore the mayoral race in Philadelphia, and like many, she is not aware of the candidates or their issues, but she said that she plans to vote. Quite importantly, she stated that she had to drop out of college as she could not get the funding she needed, but that she is now an
entrepreneur developing her business. She said she is learning and developing by having mentors in her life. We said that mentoring is a relational experience between persons where one, of a particular experience invest themselves in another lacking in experience. She stated that she did not let not completing school deter her. She stated to teach herself and found a mentor and is now teaching
others as she grows and learn. Instead of going to college she invested in a mentor.
We discussed the challenge of startups and how social media uses algorithms to limit content creators reach. We discussed the limitations in school, she pointed out that schools provide basic education, they do not teach how to leverage credit or technology. They teach how to work for others. She emphasized this several times. I asked her what her hot button is, and she stated that we should invest in our kids, in their education, make it more relevant and revolutionary.
Renaldo McKenzie is the creator and host of The Neoliberal Round Podcast. He is the author or Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance. Renaldo is an Adjunct Professor at Jamaica Theological Seminary and Doctoral Student at Georgetown University. Renaldo is completing his second book, Neoliberal globalization Reconsidered, Neo-Capitalism and The Death of Nations.
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