OPINION: Current on current events? Show what you know with #WeKnowAleppo

By Allegra Knox
GSS Correspondent

SAINT CLOUD, France — When confronted by MSNBC on Sept. 8 about the topic of Aleppo, Syria, libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson could not reply. According to the interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Johnson asked, “what is Aleppo?” in response to a question on what he would do about the Syrian city in light of the refugee crisis.

Following the interview, another question left Johnson stumped: MSNBC asked Johnson to name his favorite world leader, and he was unable to name anyone living.

The following day, The New York Times posted an article outlining the alleged incompetency of the millennial generation to read media. The article claimed millennials are not well-educated on current events, in the article’s case, presidential elections.

All that raises a question: Who is more ignorant about global issues — politicians or millennials?

If you, like many millennials around the world, feel the need to disprove the common stereotype of youth ignorance, you can use the hashtag made by Global Student Square. GSS, an international student journalism network, has created the hashtag #WeAreAleppo to tag tweets, photos, videos, text posts and more on social media to prove that millennials can be, and often are, well-versed in global news — in this situation, the ongoing siege of the city Aleppo.

Aleppo, Syria, has been under siege since July and has endured multiple bombings, food shortages, and other tragedies. As of Sept. 30, 50,000 of its 200,000 inhabitants are children, and are experiencing the horrors and dangers of the city. The city’s fuel supply is running out as well, which points to a dark future for its hospitals and Internet connection to the outside world.

If you would like to express your knowledge on the subject to rid younger generations of an image of media-illiteracy, tweet or post a photo, video, article, or write a post using the hashtag #WeAreAleppo.