Society depicts us as lazy, narcissistic teenagers, caring only for our phones, looks, and reputations. We are considered to be a greater evil than millennials. However, this is because the mistakes we often make outweigh the good deeds most partake in. This creates a false representation of who we are.

These photos show individuals, each with different aspects to them: The first portrays a man with his back to the camera, focused on painting an outdoor mural. There’s a sense of serenity in the picture, which was taken during a service trip in Mexico. This displays that we do leave our houses and are able to do activities for the greater good. The second photo depicts a half-hidden girl in a library, with a book entitled Winners in Peace. The eyes that peer over the book at the viewer show an awareness, reflecting our awareness of the change happening around us in the world. The book title also plays a role– although we may not be “winners in peace” just yet, there is a sense of aspiration amongst us to rise up and create change. The last photo shows me in all black, with a protesting sign with the word “#ENOUGH” printed on it. This last image ties together the misconception that social media is only used for inherently narcissistic pictures along with the idea that this new generation doesn’t care about societal issues, and breaks both of them.

My generation is not what most adults say we are. From my experiences, Generation Z is composed of thoughtful, aware, hard-working teenagers who aspire to create change and make differences within their communities. We are people with thoughts and feelings, who may partake in social media, but whom are also able to use such platforms for the greater good.