Marilyn J. Mosby: A heroine for a Grave New World
Marilyn J Mosby
As the world watched (again) the tragedy and violence spurred by the death of another young black man, a new voice emerged from the chaos and violence in Baltimore. Enter, Marilyn J. Mosby, who at 35 we now know as the youngest top prosector in the country. Ms Mosby was raised by a single mother, is an African American woman and now is the focus of national attention.
While we can hold on and hope that this legal case may be “the one” to change the system, the emergence of Marilyn J. Mosby may also be a sign that we are witnessing the emergence of a new generation of heroes.
The children of Baltimore, like many children around the world, are growing up exposed to violence, school shootings, terrorism and the prolonged effects of the recession. Even if this generation of children were not personally impacted by growing up in a “Grave New World” they are fully aware of its existence. As parents know, in the new digital age, there is no shielding children from news and information, no matter how diligent.
Consequently, this generation of children, Gen Z (under 17), has developed a set of values that reflect our times. A generation of realists, they respect resilience and the ability to move forward despite failure, monumental challenges or significant loss.
Gen Z reveres average people who accomplish extraordinary things.
Marilyn Mosby, as we now know, faced racism as a child, was initially rejected from law school and now faces criticism and doubt over her seeming “lack” of experience, her morals and her ability to manage the complexity of a legal case with this much attention.
Perhaps her background has made her better prepared to be a new kind of heroine, one who is willing to stand up, speak out and willing to prosecute 6 white Baltimore police officers even though she comes from a family dedicated to law enforcement.
For the children of Baltimore and the rest of the world, we can only hope that Marilyn J. Mosby is ready for the challenge.
