OPINION | Alberto Robles
The recent DANA that has severely hit l'Horta Sud and other areas of the Valencian Country has highlighted the shortcomings of a system that, although it promised to be ready for contingencies, has not managed to respond to the circumstances. However, this situation has also revealed something that perhaps many did not expect: the resistance and determination of a generation that has been unfairly labelled as fragile, the so-called "crystal generation". These days of adversity have shown, forcefully, that young people have revealed their true character, one forged in iron, by organising and acting with a commitment and efficiency that disarms any prejudice.
Since the first alerts were issued, young people from all over the Valencian Community, from the city to the villages of Marina Alta, have not hesitated to interrupt their studies and work responsibilities to throw themselves into community aid. The images of boys and girls covered in mud, removing rubble, distributing food and offering support to the most vulnerable, are not only moving, but also show that youth apathy is, in reality, a myth disproved by action.
In a scenario where political strategies and emergency plans have fallen short, young people have organised themselves, showing an efficiency and solidarity that many leaders should take as an example.
Far from being a mere pastime, social media has become the driving force behind solidarity coordination. Messages have led to real actions: volunteers have mobilised in Paiporta, Algemesí, Catarroja and other municipalities, with buckets, brooms and shovels in hand. These young people have not only shown that they are far from being a fragile generation, but that they also have the ability to act quickly and decisively when the situation requires it.
The response of the Marina Alta has been equally remarkable. From municipalities such as Dénia, Xàbia, Benissa and other nearby towns, young people have organised themselves to collect and send donations, and many have even travelled to join hands in the collective effort. In each of these gestures, one undeniable truth has become clear: beneath the skin of this generation, the iron of solidarity beats.
This generation is often accused of being unable to face reality, of being too weak or dependent on the digital environment. However, what Horta Sud and Ribera Alta have witnessed is a youth that has not only faced the tragedy, but has tackled it with energy, a lot of energy. They have not been distant heroes, but the children, nephews and friends who, without the need for orders or hierarchies, have been present since six in the morning, bailing out water, removing debris and listening to the elders who, until then, only had silence as company.
The label of the “crystal generation” has become obsolete this time. This youth has shown itself to be like iron: flexible and capable of withstanding pressure without breaking. Their determination and commitment, visible in towns such as Aldaia, Benetússer, Albal, Sedaví and in the flooded streets of Guadassuar, have shown that, in times of need, it is they who stand up and carry the weight of the solution on their shoulders.
This demonstration of strength and responsibility goes beyond a passing flash. It is a tangible sign that youth are, in essence, a driving force for action and change. If anything has become clear after these days of mud and solidarity, it is that, with the right commitment, this generation is capable of facing any challenge.
The next time someone whispers the phrase “crystal generation,” I remember the echo of brooms dragging mud and the iron in the gestures of those who, without asking for anything in return, have been where they were most needed, have risen to the occasion.
