The joke became a political comment (and it wasn’t funny)
This Saturday, while you were probably scrolling through TikTok or deciding what to watch on Netflix, Mexican Generation Z decided to change the script and took to the streets. No, it wasn’t a cosplay convention, although the One Piece straw hats and white clothing gave it an air of a geek-protest festival. The so-called Generation Z March was deployed in several states to raise our voices against that trio of Mexican terror: corruption, abuse of power and insecurity that has us more in suspense than the end of a season of Stranger Things.
It seems that the “centennials” momentarily exchanged their controllers and smartphones for banners and megaphones, showing their discontent with the current Government of Mexico. A scene that, it must be admitted, we do not see every day.
And the authorities responded… as always
For her part, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo did not waste time and, in a move that we all saw coming, related the mobilization to the political opposition. Basically, the typical response of “they are right-wing bots” that has become more predictable than the plot of a 6 o’clock soap opera. To make the matter more surreal, conservative groups and figures from the PRI and PAN suddenly appeared showing sudden interest, which sowed more doubts than an Ikea tutorial. Is your cause authentic or simply the new trend of the moment?
The honorary “boomer” enters the scene: Adrián Marcelo
And as in any self-respecting national drama, a comedian’s controversial comment could not be missing. Adrián Marcelo, from Monterrey, decided to release his pearl of generational wisdom on the platform X (formerly Twitter, for those of us who miss the little bird). With the subtlety of an elephant in a china shop, he blurted out: “Generation Z prefers a Fortnite skin or seeing Natanael Cano in the front row, rather than changing the course of this country.” Come on, assuming today’s youth has the political attention of a goldfish with TikTok.
The publication, as expected, became more viral than a reel of kittens. It accumulated nearly 2 thousand reactions and 55 thousand views, showing that, at least, people care about what is said about them (even if it is to be outraged).
But who really are these ‘centennials’?
Also known as the post-millennials generation, centennials are those human beings who were born between 1997 and 2012, according to UNESCO. Translation: They are between 13 and 24 years old and are the true “digital natives.” We millennials still remember dial-up tones; They were born with an iPad in the crib.
They are characterized by a level of autonomy that makes us envious, an overflowing creativity and the ability to learn anything on YouTube. Furthermore, against all Mr. Marcelo’s predictions, they are distinguished by a great desire for entrepreneurship and a genuine interest in activism and social movements. Maybe not with traditional tools, but definitely with your own.
So, while adults continue to debate whether or not young people are engaged, Generation Z seems to be writing their own script, between Fortnite skins and street protests. A combo that no one expected.
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