Millennials have been described as a lazy, entitled, naive and social media obsessed generation by speculators. Pew Research describes them as "confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and open to change." Being a Millennial myself, experiencing the voice we have, the compassion and drive, and considering the research I have done to clear away biases, I'd say we are the most empathetic generation yet. We are a force to be reckoned with, and we should embrace how amazing we are.

So, what makes us so amazing? Take a look at this list of research backed information that showcases just how great we truly are, and revel in the fact that they were all wrong about us.

Millennials are the most environmentally friendly generation, as well as the most diverse and well educated.

Diversity — We are the most racially and culturally diverse generation so far, and this equals a much higher sense of empathy and acceptance. We have pushed for the legalization of gay marriage, our generation's mothers have pushed to normalize breast feeding and most of us are disgusted in fear tactics using any large group of people by politics. Growing up with social media exposed us to many different people, from many different places. We do not fear the unknown, we embrace our differences as the most misunderstood generation yet. Check out this info from Pew Research:

"Some of the other findings of the Pew report were that 50 percent of this generation describe themselves as political independents even though they are more likely to vote Democratic; 29 percent say that they are not affiliated with any religion; and 51 percent described themselves as supporters of gay rights; they are also the most racially diverse generation (43 percent of adults are non-white), the best educated generation (a third of them possess a college degree or more) and are the 'digital natives,' with 81 percent of them having a Facebook presence with a median of 250 friends."

Education — We have taken over as the best educated generation. With some of our generation just now entering college in 2016, we can expect our already impressive scores to grow. Interestingly enough, the same Internet savvy generation, who was criticized their entire lives for it, happens to be the most educated. The fact that we have had information at our fingertips nearly our entire lives has a huge impact in this.

Environmentally friendly — Many surveyed Millennials said they were more likely to work for a environmentally conscious company than one that was not. We also have the largest amount of vegans/vegetarians of any generation, we are more product conscious, Pew Research states "2011 Pew survey had found that Gen Yers were more supportive of stricter environmental laws, more likely to attribute global warming to human activity and more likely to favor environmentally friendly policies such as green energy development and tax incentives for hybrid vehicles."

Millennials and business? Business with purpose

Millennials continue to impress with a strong set of core values. A Survey conducted in 2016 on Millennials shows that "Millennials still want businesses to focus more on people (employees, customers and society), products and purpose—and less on profits." The generation that was dubbed as the most entitled and lazy, wanting to work for people and purpose, and not profits? Not only that, but according to the same research study, Millennials continue to be steered by the same value through all stages of their career. This means that we will have leaders that keep their values and are unwilling to waver for selfish purposes focusing on profit, which is much different than the generation before us. Imagine the good we could accomplish with these kinds of characteristics!

It's hard to fool a Millennial

Millennials grew up in a society where things like food, media, products and other things were sold to us on a daily basis. We were the main objective for many years for various products, and we were taught bought out versions of the food pyramid and sold disgusting chemical based foods daily. So, how is it that we have the most eco friendly generation of all? How is it that we have more vegans and vegetarians than any other generation? We, as a group, have learned what not to trust and we have basic core values about our food and planet. We are the hardest to target when it comes to consumerism, because it is very difficult to gain a Millennial's trust. This is because we were used as nothing more than product placement for our entire childhood. The same childhood that was scrutinized by the very people who shaped it.

According to The Center for Generational Kinetics, "A new press release from the Census Bureau estimates that the current Millennial population is at 83.1 million strong. This means that Millennials are now the largest generation represented in the US" I think I speak for all millennials when I say we are tired of being treated like uneducated, unrealistic, socially inept people. We see the world as it could be, and as we plan to make it. We see the good that comes from social media and technology. Where some see laziness, we see easier ways of doing things, and more efficiently. Where some see us as naive, we see a country with the potential to be inclusive, equal and sustainable. Forgive us for refusing to accept the mess we have been left with, the mess we had to start out on, and still being able to come out on top.

As stated, we are the largest of generations

So Millennial, those big dreams are not naive. A better future is not unrealistic. Demanding equality for the many strangers we've grown to love and accept is not synonymous with complaining and being entitled. We have a very huge potential to change this world. We've got this, Millennials.