“I really don’t know a young person that does not matter now, and especially in this moment we are living,” Yara Shahidi, said in conversation with Karamo Brown, for the Citizen, of Verizon of the Assembly, a virtual event that took place on July 28 to talk about business and social change. “I don’t think we’re dealing with an apathetic generation.” A young activist of the same, Yara offers important advice for fellow young people trying to generate a change in the current climate, taking care of your mental health.
“What are the steps that we can take the young ones to feel as if they have agency?”
The Grown-ish the actress stressed the importance of staying informed without feeling too overwhelmed, whatever their preferred tools and resources that could be. For Yara, it is as simple as keeping the NPR One app playing in the background to keep itself up to date. “We have been inundated with information about how chaotic our world,” he said. “We have been inundated with information about how imperfect our world, and it can feel very overwhelming. So, what are the steps that we can take the young ones to feel as if they have agency?”
Activist burnout is very real and, as the actress explained, the young activists to the practice of self-care and reduce the stress of being in the present “for the long term.” “It’s not about burnout right now, and there is a need for self-care and not go too far too fast.” Watch the full clip above Yara’s inspiring advice.
