The Guardian’s view on the Gen Z protests: These movements have more in common than just an interest in anime | Editorial
AAfter a quarter century of existence, the global triumph of Monkey D. Luffy – the fresh-faced, rubber-bodied pirate captain – seemed almost complete. It became the One Piece manga series, whose hero is a freedom fighter Bestseller of all timewith more than 500 million copies sold. The anime was similarly successful, with viewers immersed in over a thousand episodes following its struggle against the World Government, a corrupt and tyrannical minority government.
However, Luffy has now found a new lease on life as an inspiration for demonstrators in the world A wave of youth unrest Across continents. His crew flag – a skull and crossbones topped with his stylish straw hat – has appeared from Morocco to Madagascar in recent days. Indonesians enthusiastically embraced it this summer, in response to the president’s urging to use the national standard. Officials were so upset that they threatened to imprison those who used it. This may be the first time Amnesty International has done this He had to defend Using anime idea.
The flag was hung on the wall of the Nepalese Parliament building during its burning and the collapse of the government last month, and fluttered in the streets of the Philippines, Kenya and Peru. Last Friday, lawmakers in Lima voted to impeach President Dina Boluarte. Hesitant to be seen To protect such an unpopular figure before the impending election.
The protests have been sparked by specific grievances, including ordinary anger Water and electricity outages In Madagascar, where unrest is escalating; Demands to improve education and health care in Morocco; Fear of rising crime in Peru. The uprising in Nepal comes on the heels of successful anti-government movements elsewhere in South Asia: Sri Lanka in 2022 and Bangladesh in 2024. However, there is a clear common thread. The leaderless movements clearly label themselves as Generation Z and adopt the slogans of protesters elsewhere as an expression of solidarity.
The recently released Egyptian writer and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah expressed… theyIn 2019, internet culture has seen a decline in discussion and debate: “You’re in these circles of people sending GIFs and heart emojis… this medium is stifling.” The rapid spread of ideas and symbols can restrict the imaginative spaces in which protest movements exist. But it can also be extended.
Protests have always been contagious – as in Europe in 1848, the Arab Spring in 2011, or the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Popular culture has presented images of resistance such as the three-fingered salute in the movie “The Hunger Games” – which was banned by Thai authorities. A few years ago, young pro-democracy activists in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Myanmar spoke of a “milk tea alliance”: each place had a different version of the drink, but it served as a shorthand for their common struggle against authoritarianism, as historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom noted in an article. New book.
The current protesters are deliberately borrowing symbols and Cultivate links Because they see similar commonalities, even outside their region. Generation Z has come of age amidst widening inequality, economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and climate pressures. Its members resent and resent the gap between government propaganda and promises – such as the Moroccan government’s massive spending on sports infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup. Inadequate delivery For the people. The cost of living, corruption and nepotism among leaders, and bullying by security forces are constant themes. And that, not an addiction to memes, is what these movements really have in common.