Apparently, we’re a generation of screw-ups. The American decay of the 21st century. Our cars are too fast, our music too loud, our clothes too promiscuous. We’re narcissistic, entitled, lazy, arrogant, wild, politically disengaged screw-ups. Or at least that’s what we’ve been told.
I’ve been subconsciously grouped into this category of “immature, privileged, inconsiderate” youth for about as long as I can remember. According to older generations, my age group is comprised solely of drug dealing, binge-drinking, sex addicts that waste their parents' hard-earned salary. We’re sending this nation into a downward spiral before the Baby Boomer’s eyes’. But personally, I think we’re getting the short end of the stick.
Criticism from previous generations is not a new concept. The Boomers lived in the shadow of the Greatest Generation and Gen X lived in the shadow of the Boomers. This is something easily forgotten now that we millennials are here to take the heat. We’re easy targets with our iPads and texting and low riding pants. But it’s time to stop trying to fix the current age just to better shape the past.
We have the opportunity to do something great. Right now, we’re carrying the burden of the current economic crisis, climate change and too many bloated government systems to count on our young shoulders. With everyone looking to us to fail, it’s easy to give in and prove them right. But I think we can do it. Because when it comes down to it, we are the ones writing history textbooks.
The past year alone has brought back passion and fire to the American people and now the torch has been passed to us. In this wild springtime of our youth, we must create, innovate and transform. The world is changing minute by minute and we must keep up. Walking isn’t enough anymore, we’ve got to sprint.
I won’t lie to you. I’ve seen laziness and I’ve seen arrogance. I’ve seen narcissism and immaturity. But beyond these titles our generation has been dubbed, I’ve also seen determination and sweat and a ferocity for change. 50 years from now, I plan to tell my children’s children about rallies and regulations and revolutions, not spite. 50 years from now, I refuse to berate the same course of history I have direct control over now. Bitterness and contempt do little to spark change, but rather fester a resentment for all things that could have been. Do not waver now.
It’s been a long road here and it’s going to be a long road ahead, but few generations have such a chance to bring about a new age. I think millions of years of evolution has brought us here for a reason and I’m not about to let the universe down because we were a bunch of screw-ups.
