Youth struggles: from the Arab spring to black lives matter & beyond

Honwana, Alcinda Manuel ORCID: 0000-0002-8545-1374 (2019) Youth struggles: from the Arab spring to black lives matter & beyond. African Studies Review, 62 (1). pp. 8-21. ISSN 0002-0206

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Abstract

The majority of young people in Africa are today living in waithood, a prolonged, difficult, and dynamic transition into adult life. This experience is shared with an increasing number of young people in the developed North who are also grappling with issues of joblessness and political exclusion. This waithood generation is increasingly losing faith in the ability of its leaders to address young people's needs and expectations, and it is rebelling against the status quo. From the youth uprisings that led to the Arab Spring and the ousting of Abdoulaye Wade in Senegal and Campaore in Burkina Faso, to political protest movements such as Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter in the U.S. and Los Indignados in Spain, young people have been at the forefront of political change. However, they have not yet been able to effect systemic change. While profound social transformation takes time, this generation is still wrestling with how to move beyond street protest and have a lasting impact on politics and governance.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2019 African Studies Association
Divisions:	?? FLIA ??
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform J Political Science > JZ International relations
Date Deposited:	27 Mar 2019 15:15
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2024 06:00
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/100376

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