Imperfect but Bold: Gen Zs are Choosing to Unlearn Toxic Patterns

For decades, Africa—and much of the world—has been shaped by deeply rooted generational traumas and tribalist mentalities that have dictated everything from politics to personal relationships.

Tribal identity has been both a source of pride and a tool of division, often passed down through generations as an unchallenged reality. But with the rise of Gen Z, a shift is happening. This new generation, armed with information, global perspectives, and a refusal to be defined by outdated ideologies, is slowly dismantling these inherited burdens.

Unlike previous generations, Gen Z is growing up in a digital age where exposure to different cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking is inevitable. Social media platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram have created spaces where young people from diverse backgrounds engage with each other, share experiences, and challenge outdated societal norms.

Unlike their predecessors, who often accepted tribal affiliations as an unspoken rule of life, many Gen Zers actively reject the idea that tribe should dictate friendships, job opportunities, or political allegiances.

This generation also challenges the silence that surrounds generational trauma. Where past generations were taught to suppress emotional pain—whether from colonial wounds, post-election violence, or family dysfunction—Gen Z openly discusses mental health, toxic family dynamics, and inherited burdens.

The rise of therapy culture, self-care, and healing narratives has given many young people the language and tools to confront cycles of trauma head-on.

They are choosing to unlearn toxic patterns, reject harmful cultural expectations, and redefine success on their own terms.

Moreover, Gen Z is politically aware in ways that previous generations were not. Instead of blindly following tribal voting patterns, they are questioning leadership, demanding accountability, and prioritizing competence over ethnic loyalty. The "we vote for our own" narrative is losing its grip as young people push for policies and governance that serve the people rather than a select ethnic group.

Of course, this change is not universal. Tribalist rhetoric still exists, and many Gen Zers still feel pressure to conform to generational expectations. However, the fact that conversations about tribalism and generational trauma are happening at all is already a step toward change.

Gen Z is not perfect, but they are bold. They are refusing to inherit the biases and traumas of those before them. In doing so, they are creating a future where identity is shaped by choice, not by the weight of history.