The Wrong Generation
by José Antonio Rosas from Lima, Perú
Amidst all the bad news that 2020 has brought to Peru, there is one cause for optimism: the political awakening of a generation of young students, finally fed up with the way older generations are wrecking their world.
The Covid crisis has been particularly harsh for young people in Peru. They have been confined for months, forced to pay for sub-par online classes or drop out. Many have lost their jobs and seen their families fall into financial hardship. People close to them have died. Meanwhile, an irresponsible political class has dragged the country deeper into the crisis.
In early November, Congress abused a constitutional provision and deposed the president Martín Vizcarra to install a puppet figure, congressman Manuel Merino.
This generation couldn’t take it anymore.
Young people quickly organized themselves via social networks and took to the streets in massive, widespread demonstrations that lasted for several days. Their message to the new illegitimate government was clear: you have messed with the wrong generation, you don’t represent us, we won’t stop until you are gone. While the message was an angry one, the atmosphere was festive. People were excited to be out in the streets, building a community and getting results. They were creative in the way they channeled their frustrations. At times, the demonstrations felt more like music festivals or sports events than traditional political rallies.
After five days, they achieved their goal: the new president resigned, and a much more acceptable leader, Francisco Sagasti, was elected by Congress. But the cost was unbearable: on the culminating day of the marches two young students, Jack Brian Pintado, 22, and Inti Sotelo Camargo, 24, were shot dead by the police. Many more were injured or illegally detained.
A sociologist coined a name for this generation, and it caught on: the Bicentennial Generation, alluding to the 200th anniversary of Peru’s declaration of independence from Spain, to be celebrated in July 2021.
We won’t be celebrating with the political stability we hoped for, but we have a new generation that is determined, well-informed, clear about its aims and capable of self-organizing.
They have sent a clear message to Peru’s older generations; you’ve messed with the wrong generation.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jose Antonio Rosas lives and works in Lima, Peru. In 2019, he completed the Creative Practices Program at the International Center of Photography. In his photography, he explores different ways in which people gather in communities to release a deep expression of themselves. His work has been featured on solo and group exhibitions and received several awards.
