We are mad as hell, we are sick of this happening and we need leadership.

This was the message brought to lawmakers and community leaders Tuesday night at Dupp & Swat, a local boutique and creative space in NoDa, as it hosted Going up on a Tuesday, an event in connection with #FergusonEverywhere, a nationwide response to cases of police brutality disproportionately affecting African-Americans.

The event began rather low-key as about 50 people watched a slideshow of photos from Ferguson, Missouri, by local photographer Alvin Jacobs Jr., and listened to his compelling stories from the front lines of the protests. By the time he finished, the diverse crowd had doubled in size.

The panel of local leaders included former city councilwoman Beth Pickering, N.C. Rep. Kelly Alexander, attorney Matt Newton, Corine Mack from the NAACP, N.C. Rep. Rodney Moore, community activist Robert Dawkins and Sam Spencer, the former president of NC Young Democrats. Each gave a brief overview of the success they’ve had working within the establishment and touted establishment objectives like petitions, supporting legislation (like the nondiscrimination ordinance being voted on by City Council on Monday) and bills they planned to introduce during the next General Assembly session. The crowd listened politely.

But when the question and answer period came, the young people in the audience turned up.

A woman who identified herself only as “a millenial” said, “I don’t want to be reminded of the past [presumably referring to the civil rights era]. I’m aware of it. I want to hear from our leaders what they’re gonna do about the future.” The panel seemed somewhat taken aback at her comment.

“We’re not patient," spoke up another woman who said she’d just come from Ferguson. "We don’t have time to plan and research laws. They are killing us!”

Dr. Gloria Rembert, chair of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, was in the audience and replied calmly, “I understand the impatience of young people, but you’re not the only ones dying. Your parents and grandparents are being marginalized and killed every day.”

Michael O’Neill, a young local activist, spoke voraciously: “You’re talking about changing a dirty-ass system with clean cut tactics. The government works covertly now, and the tactics of yesterday won’t work today.”

It was clear the younger members of the audience were fired up. They asked for swift, immediate action, and in return, leaders offered meaningful, but slow-fought, legislation, asking the young people for their support.

The impasse created frustration on both sides, and I understand it.

I’ve been to Marshall Park five times this year rallying for justice. I’ll be downtown tonight a sixth time for Eric Garner. I've put my name on countless mailing lists being passed around at these events, and it seems like nothing ever comes out of it — not even an email. It’s disheartening. Every time I go back for another life unjustifiably taken by a police officer who receives no punishment, I have less faith I’m doing anything constructive by being there.

But what’s even more disheartening is seeing only 11 percent of young voters show up on Election Day. And knowing people on the panel are working diligently to get laws, such as that nondiscrimination ordinance, on the books, despite the fact young people aren’t paying attention nor have their backs.

While this generational divide could be detrimental to the community coming together to stand for equality and justice, it could just as easily be a unifier. If both sides listen to each other and lift their voices together in support of one another’s actions — those taken both in Raleigh and in the streets — something positive could come out of all this. Communication, even if it’s tense, can be the catalyst for a broad movement.

The young lady who had been to Ferguson spoke up again. “Kids in Ferguson didn’t sit around and have all these conversations.” Panelist Robert Dawkins replied, “And nothing has changed.”