Youth vs. Apocalypse
Fall 2020 — Community Partnership #2
EthiCAL Apparel is proud to feature Youth vs. Apocalypse as our second community partnership under this semester’s theme of environmental justice. A portion of our profits from 10/28/20 -11/6/20 will be donated to YVA to help them amplify their message moving forward. If you would like to donate without making a purchase, you can do so on our website’s homepage during this time frame. Keep reading to learn more about YVA from a youth organizer’s perspective!
Youth vs. Apocalypse (YVA), the brains behind only the second-largest climate strike in history, is setting the precedent for direct action in an era of racially biased environmental destruction. The Bay Area-based organization is a diverse community of youth ages 12–18 who galvanize political action and bring awareness to environmental justice concerns.
To learn more about YVA’s approach and vision, EthiCAL interviewed YVA representative and UC Berkeley freshman Cemre Gonen. Her active role in the lead circle of YVA and as a social media coordinator has resulted in several unique and inspirational experiences. She has:
- Argued with executives at a 2019 protest against Chevron’s significant contributions to air pollution in San Ramon
- Presented to middle schoolers, asking for their ideas to create demands and write chants
- Traveled to LA to speak on panels at an event with Greta Thunberg and several celebrities
Through it all, Gonen appreciates the inherent diversity of the organization. She explains that “YVA is very different because the mainstream environmentalist movement was old and white, we are not that…we provide an intersectional analysis of everything.”
One can see the nuances of this intersectionality on their Instagram, where their recent #ThisIstheTime campaign highlights several perspectives on the importance of political action. The diversity of the organization goes beyond its member composition and into the forms of media, as their latest campaign even includes a TikTok challenge to the soundtrack of their latest single (you can find more information here).
YVA features a powerful combination of artistic talent and activism. Their second single is titled “This is the Time” and they even have an album in the works! Gonen notes both the personal and political impact of art in campaigns for change — songwriting is a great way to “take care of oneself and make change happen.”
As YVA’s work became entirely digital this March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gonen has taken on the increased responsibility of coordinating YVA’s social media outreach efforts. She says that there is definitely a fine line between people’s intentions when it comes to real advocacy and performative activism.
Her advice? “Don’t speak for others, just make space for them.”
While social media is a great first step, the goal of posting should be to effectuate tangible actions. Looking to qualified sources — like YVA’s social media channels — when reposting content is helpful to everyone who consumes that content.
On top of being a leader on the middle and high school level, Gonen is currently planning a new YVA club at UC Berkeley next spring. This is the perfect opportunity for Cal students to get involved beyond just donating! YVA’s social consciousness has empirically sparked change and continues to build momentum in the fight for environmental justice. Their determination, passion, and values of intersectionality will be the foundation of real reform for years to come.
Stay up to date with YVA’s latest campaign below:
Youth vs. Apocalypse fights for political change through a combination of social media campaigns, easily accessible tools for direct action, high school clubs, and (pre-Covid-19) public protests. They’ve been recognized for their campaigns including climate strikes, No Coal in the Bay, Divest Calstrs, and CA Youth vs. Big Oil. Their work has amassed public attention, and you probably recognize them from a viral video where they exchange views on climate change with CA Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Author: Smera Patil | Editor: Serena Lowe | Graphics: Natalie Chu | Team: Social Good
