Blue

Elijah McKenzie-Jackson - an award-winning Gen Z climate activist, queer youth, and artist - embraces blue as a central motif in his life and work. Blue symbolizes the weight of bullying and depression, as well as an appeal for a cooler, more sustainable planet and the depth of creative expression. In this extended essay, McKenzie-Jackson draws on personal experiences, scholarly insight, and social analysis to explore the links between mental health, climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and art, highlighting the determination of youth. His work offers thoughtful reflection and intellectual inquiry, challenging readers to embrace authenticity, solidarity, and purposeful change while inviting us to reimagine our role in a fragile yet hopeful future.