Webcams and Red Wine
#BlackLivesMatter
This article is raising awareness about
CAMPAIGN ZERO
Which uses data, research and policy solutions to end police violence
To many of us, the current pandemic represents two things: an opportunity to tackle tasks we have had piling up on our endless to-do lists (only to procrastinate on them more if we choose to do so) and a time to catch up and reflect on the world revolving around us.
Though this virus has caused a paradigm shift in how we live our lives, we have learned a thing or two about the human condition and how truly connected we are as a species, even without us realizing it.
We millennials and Gen-Zers have been regarded by older generations as “lonely people”, who only serve their vanity by staring into their phones and waiting for self-validation on our social media accounts through likes and follows. Yet we have seen something that contradicts this view. We as young generations have demonstrated (and even taught, to some degree) that geographical separation is mostly a mental barrier.
We TCKs are well aware of how distance can impact our personal relationships. We are “programmed” from early in life to accept the fact that our loved ones will always be separated from us physically, but that our souls and minds can still stay connected.
TCKs have always been the first to adopt technological innovations (video calling, social media platforms, etc.) that allow for swift and meaningful communication with friends and loved ones far away. To some degree, this pandemic has shown us how well equipped we are as a community in knowing that lack of physical contact does not mean that a friendship or relationship has to suffer. Caring about others, how we communicate, and general empathy is what truly unites us. We are not alone.
In recent times, I have had the privilege of finding my new TCK friends through various platforms and have been able to communicate with them more and more. I’ve listened to their stories, watched them on their webcams through our many video calls, as they listen and drink a glass of red wine or a cup of tea. I have seen the colors and decorations of every room, unique to the personality of its inhabitant. Sharing our anxieties and offering our empathy if someone had felt saddened or emotionally isolated. Again, we are not alone.
If sharing our personalities, sharing our music and cultures, and celebrating our differences and diversity are the most beautiful and connective forms of interaction, then what difference does it make that we are not physically together when we do this?
We as TCKs (and as younger generations) have to be an example that we humans can go beyond inhabiting physical spaces together in order to connect with each other.
This pandemic cannot stop us from caring for one another. Friendships won’t end simply because we’re not together physically. It should teach us how fragile yet brave we can be. At the end of the day -- geography is just a mental barrier.