Opción B - Pregunta 1 · Inglés PAU Madrid Ordinaria 2019

Change in Activism

It has always been the youth who have promoted changes. From the Vietnam protests to Tiananmen Square, young people have been the catalyst for many moments of social change and expression of resistance. This moment in time is no different, with millennials and Generation Z transforming activism into a form appropriate for this new technological age.

The sharp increase in activism from young people is in direct correlation with the historic events that took place in 2016, that is, the Brexit vote in June and the US presidential election in November. These events triggered a powerful wave of activism, led by young people disillusioned with institutions and frustrated with the direction our society is moving in. A key moment of youth activism was March for Our Lives. This was an entirely student-led protest to demand gun control legislation in America. It finally resulted in the third largest march in US history.

In the UK, The Pink Protest was created to form a community of activists more accessible to young people. The Pink Protest ’s mission manifested in the #FreePeriods campaign of last year. The protest’s aim was to provide young girls in need with free menstruation products like sanitary towels and tampons. As a result of the campaign, £1.5 million were given by the UK government to address this problem.

This new germination has created a wave of socially engaged young people, eager to use their social media presence for good. From #BlackLivesMatter to #LoveWins, social media has changed the meaning and the practice of activism. It is no longer needed to take to the streets to make an impact; it is now easier and more productive to reach greater numbers of people through a screen. Activism is no longer a scary or unattainable notion but a democratic concept where anyone can find their place.

Adapted from “This Generation is Stepping up and Leading the Change in Activism,” The Student Newspaper 13 October 2018.

1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

The recent rise in youth protests is closely related to the technological advances which have developed for the last two years.

Statement a)

b)

Despite the use of social media, demonstrations are still the most effective way of protesting.

Statement b)