You've seen all the articles and videos about why our generation sucks and or does not suck. You've seen the millennial struggle for employment, for equality and for more enhanced communication. If you are a millennial, you likely have mixed feelings about our generation, and I am no exception. We make crappy young-person mistakes all the time. That being said, there are a few things that everyone really ought to know about our generation before they start placing blame and taking names.
1. We actually do respect you.
We care so much about impressing you, in fact, that we all literally give ourselves anxiety disorders. We are aware of what you gave up so that we could have this life. We are thankful for the sacrifices, the wars fought, the empires grown, the money made and the overall backbreaking amount of work that you all have done over the past century to get us to where we are now.
2. That being said, we disagree with you on a lot of things.
True, we have the ability to make our opinions known and developed because of what you have done for us, and we take on that responsibility whole-heartedly. We have strong opinions, and we are not afraid to make them known, even if it appears we are spitting upon your years of work.
3. We know hard work. We know hard times.
Many people have this idea about millennials that we all sit at home in our beds whiling away the hours waiting for others to do our work for us. Trust me, if we are in our beds wallowing away, it is because we have either just worked our brains to the point of combustion, or because we have depression.
4. A lot of us have depression. And if we don’t, we know someone who has it.
Suicide is the number one cause of death for our generation, and I can guarantee that all of us have known someone who committed suicide. We know grief. This world we live in has provoked an untold number of us to have such severe anxiety that we have to be admitted to hospitals, take pills, and yes, occasionally, take naps. But know this, we’re not lazy – we’re smart. We are aware of our own needs and we know that downtime oftentimes achieves this.
5. We don’t all have the same opinion, nor have we been led to believe anything.
We arrive at our own conclusions and have our own voice. Yes, the majority of us are liberals, but there are many young Republicans in our rank. It is also important to note that we don't fit within a box. Just because a millennial is Republican does not mean they are pro-life. Just because a millennial is Catholic does not mean they are anti-gay. We are okay with standing up to authority, and it does occasionally come off as disrespect. In actuality, our standing up for what we believe in is about self-expression and change.
6. You think we’re privileged. We are. We know it.
We were born into a world where a lot of changes have been made – many for the better. We don't all have to join the army, women don’t have to be home-makers and a lot of us are able to receive an education. We're aware of these privileges, and we use them to address the things that run deeper than an imminent threat. Because of our privilege, we are able to work tirelessly for equal rights, and we can be avid feminists - fighting hegemonies and power dynamics left and right. We can even write frustration-filled articles like this one. Then again, we can also choose to join the army or to be a home-maker. We are aware of that privilege. (Well, many of us at least - I suppose I can’t speak for everyone.)
7. Things will be different in 20 years.
Don’t fight it, older generations. If the votes of millennials were the only ones that counted, Clinton would’ve won by a landslide. Yes, a lot of our generation would’ve voted for Trump, but we are still a product of our upbringing. This will sound rude, and maybe I mean it to be, but most of us cannot wait for the millennials to rule the world. Maybe there will be a lot more avocado toast and a lot fewer diamond necklaces, but it will be our choice, and it will not be done without thought.
8. We care.
Perhaps this is why so many in our ranks are going into helping professions. Maybe this is why many of us have been on some form of mission trip or cultural immersion experience. It’s probably why we walk in so many parades, be it for women, life, choice, science or pride. We care so much that it gives us mood disorders and ulcers. We care enough that when a man like Trump gets elected, we actually cry. That does not make us weak. It means that what happens to this world matters to us. In the nearby future, those who care will hold the power. That's not even the way to say what I really mean. Those who care won't give a shit about power. They'll give a shit about people. They'll give a shit about the Earth, and what we're leaving behind us when we die.
9. We deserve your respect.
A lot of you do respect us. I know plenty of baby boomers and Gen X members that look at us and see hope and determination. That being said, a lot of you think we’re ruining the idea of hard work and spitting upon tradition. Maybe, just maybe, those of you who keep writing “This Is What’s Wrong With Millennials” articles can take a tip from us. Try a new point of view. Try adding a healthy dose of empathy to your every interaction. Maybe you will see that what you view as ‘lazy’ is taking a mental health day before getting back to our classes or work days (which, might I add, have increased in difficulty since your day). Maybe our outlook on tradition is simply different from yours. Perhaps we still care about the cornerstones that created our country – we just want to update them a bit. And maybe, just maybe, even if you don't want to respect us, you need to know that you should. We promise we won’t blow up the Earth or blaspheme Jesus' name. We will probably keep eating avocado toast – but to be fair, it's a ridiculous level of delicious.
