The dilemma of the African millennial

SPOILT, lazy, entitled, unfocused, attention-seeking. Whatever search engine you type the word “MILLENIAL” in, these words always seem to crop up. It's no use trying to explain the fact that this is a different generation seeking different things. Even millennials use the word millennials to insult other millennials. The first word that comes to mind when people think of milleninials is privileged, which was counted as a good thing a few centuries ago but I guess now amiss the nostalgia and the long for stability has flipped into a bad one.

According to Abraham Maslow’s theory of need, a human when satisfied with his physiological needs tends to seek something more.

The problems of the millennial are not fragile as described by the older generation but are, in my opinion, a prove of generations moving further and forward. The typical millennial problem now starts from love/belonging and who knows; for generation Z, it may start with self-awareness since labels are not a thing, they are doing these days. Matter of fact , there is a pyramid of needs relevant to this generation:

Yes; this might seem funny to you but it just really highlights the position this generation is now in. Other things are more relevant now because of progression and that is a good thing and also, believe or not an answered prayer of the previous generation!

So back to my point: is the African millennial fit to be thrust into this category? Yes, granted that the average African millennial has had the privilege (and this is the normal definition) of being private schooled, which means a better and more thorough education. We've had access to computers and technologies that our parents are still at a loss at. We are fluent in social media ranging all the way from Facebook (which has now been left for the elderly) through to Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and whatever social media app that seems to be driving the world today.

However, even though we've grown up knowing how to use technology we are not very interested in its makeup. If you know anything about Africa, you could tell that it is a consumerist continent and the millennial living there unlike his/her western counterparts has fallen, out of familiarity, into this category. Monetizing on apps like Youtube or even Wordpress are still slightly foreign, hence giving away their ideas for mostly no profit. The African millennial, I would describe as being stuck in the 20th Western society, on the verge of something big but not knowing how to get it.

The independence, freedom and creativity of a Western millennial would be described as revolutionary (mostly to us liberals). To me, the word "millennial" means creativity, independence, evolving, standing up and in the search for these things millennials might seem a little unfocused or lazy or spoilt but they are moving a world faster than it has ever been. Who thought you could make money of YouTube? I’m not talking 9-5 money, I’m talking buying a house after a successful two year run money. This is not to undermine the struggle of the office worker, I am just stating a clear fact that in 20 – 30 years the world would be completely different.

The African millennial, however, is lagging seriously behind. One could blame it on the educational system or just the society in which we live. Even if the African millennial dares to be brave to speak on societal issues the likelihood that they would be dismissed is high which is true for every millennial world wide but the difference is their voices are heard. We heard about the Parkland shooting and the rise of millennials talking about gun laws. True, they were dismissed but their voices were still heard. We saw how millennials stood up in America during Trumps presidency speaking up when things were not right. They were once again dismissed but their voices were not lost. The African millennial having dealt with far more when it comes to African politics doesn't say much. They either refuse to make informed decisions or don't care enough to speak up.

The African millenial who made it out of a cycle where physiological problems no longer plague his mind must still worry about the physiological and security needs of his family members both immediate and distant. The African millennial has to ensure that everyone around him at least comfortable. This barely leaves room for creativity and exploration. Even though the African millennial can afford a vacation, they probably would never go; therefore, never expanding their world view which means never expanding their environment.

So, is the average westerner born between the late 80’s and middle 90’s same as the ones in Africa? No, definitely not! Which could be both a bad and good thing. Grounded sure we are but moving the world? We are so far from!