How did a generation learn to become a family?

Generation Z (born between 1997-2012), or Zoomers, is often called 'The smartphone-oriented' generation. They have many stereotypes, and 'living in the green world' isn't one of them. So, millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) had many arguments against Gen Z before the July movement, i.e., the 'Anti-discrimination Student Movement.'

It was pretty unpredictable for a 'quota reform movement' to turn into a total non-cooperation movement to the one-point demand that saw off a government that lasted over one and a half decades. How did this happen? "It's the power of connectivity," said Abrar Ahmed, an 11th grader from Notre Dame College.

Being connected with others online 24/7 proved its merit on a large scale. When the former Prime Minister threw smirky comments at the protesting students at a press conference, the word 'rajakar' hit hard the students' emotions.

As Dhaka University erupted in rage while protesting against the smirks in the early hours of July 15, the entire country heard their roaring slogans within hours and gradually became a part of the movement.

In a conversation about this movement, Sadia Tasnim, a second-year student at Dhaka University, said, "Gen Z's greater access to social media, information, and networking unites them against any situation they perceive as a crisis. The youth made a successful uprising possible."

The online-oriented generation proved they have more unity than everyone could imagine.

Every news of injury or death prompted more students to join the movement, demonstrating unity. Even the word unity fails to do justice to the level of integrity shown by the students. The whole student community felt the pain of each student's injury.

Homayra Mahzabin Ankita, a second-year psychology student at Dhaka University, said, "The July movement will always be memorable. People believe our generation is sleepless, which is true to some extent. However, this time, we haven't pulled all-nighters for movie series or assignments during that historic month. We simply couldn't sleep because we were panicking all the time. But at the same time, these nights united us. This was the first time the entire generation of a country spent sleepless nights for one purpose: to get updated on what's happening."

While there were endless debates between public and private universities, private universities coming forward to help the movement progress on July 18 would be one of history's most memorable events. The movement kept its spirit even after the internet blackout for a few days. Asif Islam (pseudonym) said, "From the beginning of July 18, the internet was unstable in my area. Later, the entire country faced an internet blackout. It was the first time we, as a generation, felt that TV news was so misguided. I remember trying to build a radio system but eventually couldn't. Later, I created a 'mass text' through the phone's default messaging app; little did we know we would use this app in our lifetime. Anyway, at that time, my acquaintances and friends kept updating the situation in their area, and I kept sending those texts in the 'mass text' so that a large number of people could see the situation. It felt like a miniature broadcast system of some sort."

Even after the previous regime's fall, the unity of Generation Z is still visible. On August 5, after Sheikh Hasina's resignation, there was no law enforcement in the country, and there were attacks in several places.

In response, the students started taking roles themselves. They controlled traffic on the streets for days on end.

Mohiuddiin Moin, a second-year psychology student, said, "After some days of the previous regime's fall, it was obvious that some problems would still arise. When robberies started in almost every area of Dhaka, everyone started to protect the areas. And it also became a social phenomenon at one point."

Someone started graffiti, and the others in that area joined; later, when people started talking about it online, students across the country started doing graffiti on their own. They are remembering the movement, the heroes, and everything through these, making this a cultural phenomenon.

Some students (even from Generation Z) often felt that this generation was not their fit, like Zubair Hossain, a Colby College freshman. He said, "Typically, before July, I didn't even like my generation. I thought we weren't united enough or strong enough to solve a problem. However, this July-August amazed me. I love this generation now, and also the fact that this generation doesn't put up with unnecessary rules and regulations." He also adds, "Before leaving Bangladesh to study as an undergrad in the United States, this was the biggest gift I could ever get from Bangladesh. This will always be memorable to me."

Now that the country's 11 districts are affected by the floods, Gen Z is working on protecting livelihoods in this issue as well. Each day at TSC, there are record-breaking collections, more than millions or crores, for relief packages for flood-hit victims.

People from all professions came forward after the students' initiatives. Students from Dhaka University, Brac University, and others came forward to form rescue teams as well, going to the flood-affected areas.

Technology often disconnects this generation from the live moments, but this time, the technology brought them together. Perhaps this is why there goes a saying, "There are two sides to every coin."

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