The past year and a half has been rough. Tensions from the election have been blazing across the country for months. Social media has been a firestorm, media outlets crank out new, terrifying headlines every day, and cities, towns, families, and friendships were left divided by political views. It’s been a hard, nasty time for a lot of people. Millennials felt this way especially, but we also felt a certain level of excitement to finally be involved in the political process. To finally get a vote. To finally be heard.

But not long after we engaged in the process, eager to vote in November, all eyes and all anger was pointed towards us.

The same people who rail against “safe spaces” that all millennials need apparently, are the ones who lose their minds when you bring up allowing transgender people peeing in their preferred gender’s bathroom, the ones who get enraged when you mention the Black Lives Matter movement, the ones who can’t help but judge, stare, or even harass two men walking down the street holding hands. If you’re going to accuse an entire generation of being dainty, whiny, and unable to handle adversity from the opinions of others, you can’t exemplify those very qualities you’re berating us for.

We’re a generation of entitled crybabies, these are all things I’ve seen older and more conservative people completely lose their minds over:

• The Mall of America hosting their first Black Santa Claus.
• The cast of Hamilton politely asking our Anti-LGBTQ VP-Elect to protect their rights.
• Pointing out the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by two whole percentage points.
• Starbucks making their holiday cups simply red, instead of including specifically Christian images.
• Telling them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”
• Harriet Tubman being put on the $20 bill.
• Mentioning the idea of better sex education in schools, that isn’t abstinence-centered.
• Marriage equality.
• Peaceful protests.
• Equal rights for all races.
• Pay equality.

Should I continue?

Let’s be real, everyone gets offended from time to time and everyone has different sensibilities. You can’t be mad at people for their opinions, or for having feelings, no matter what their age. So to call out all millennials and say they’re “entitled,” “weak,” or “crybabies,” is unfair and untrue. Just because our views don’t align with the views of some of our older, fellow citizens, does not mean they are invalid. Just because we understand the importance of equality, diversity, and tolerance, does not mean our views are invalid. Just because we are vocal about our beliefs, thoughts, and emotions, does not mean our views are invalid. So stop trying to invalidate us because we aren’t going the same way that you are.

All of this being said, I understand there are problems with the younger generation. But what generation doesn’t have problems? Millennials are very dependent upon technology, but when we were raised alongside amazing technological advances and technology education is emphasized in our school systems, what do you expect? We all feel like we have a right to be heard and express our opinions, but that’s because we understand that each person can make a difference or start a movement. Our problems may seem evident to all of the older generations, but let’s keep in mind where they came from. We didn’t spring forth from time and space. We were born and raised by the generations that preceded us. They are the ones that helped shape who we are, alongside the culture and technology we grew up with. Stop blaming us for our issues when it was partially the fault of those who came before.

We’re not the first generation that have had issues, nor will we be the last. But we need the older generations to stop cutting us off at the knees. Never before have we had such an educated, politically involved youth. We are chomping at the bit to be involved, so let us be. We are working to solve the world's problems - some of them very clearly created by the generations that criticize us - so take the help so we can hope to make the world better together.