The millennial generation has taken over campuses across the globe, and we couldn't be any more diverse and powerful. We're all young, challenging, hard working, adventurous, curious... the list can go on forever. It's because we're the recognized, great, inventive millennial generation, right? We're the ones who push against the boundaries, that ask the difficult questions, that bring new ideas into the light, and that won't take no for an answer. Determination and acceptance are two of our greatest qualities, and they're the two that we are most known for. Yet, a solid majority of millennial generation college students are ignoring one not-so complimenting reputation that we have received: we're soft. You might think "How could the assertive, rebellious millennials be soft?" and choose to ignore this claim, but they're right. The "soft" comment is aimed straight at our college generation, and more specifically, the portion of us who can't seem to take criticism.
Can I ask when the majority of our generation lost their backbone and willingness to take a joke? When did they lose the ability to value other peoples' thoughts? When did a social norm of demanding for our wants, rather than needs, and sliding by the rules rather than working for what we deserve develop in the past decade? I cannot even fathom the amount of times I've seen articles on the news and social media about college students rebelling against their school for something that they found offensive. In the majority of these cases, the "claim" was not severe, but rather just a portion of students aggravated by some action, or statement, or oversized rain puddle. Given, there have been circumstances where prejudice to different races, religions and social groups has been seen and classified and needed to be addressed. Outright prejudice cannot be tolerated, and it is an issue that needs to be resolved. However, this doesn't justify every single claim made by overly-sensitive college students when they don't like someone else's or an organization's opinion. I attend a liberal arts college, and even though I have my own opinions about global, local and educational standpoints, I understand that not everyone will agree with me. I respect others' opinions, and hope that they respect mine as well, but here's the catch: if they don't, I don't care. To be frank, neither should you. I realize that everyone is entitled to their own views, and I am not going to attack people over social media or on campus trying to tell them that they're wrong. This is a huge problem with our millennial generation, and it's leading us to our own demise.
The other problem that comes along with this attitude is the claim that those who do not protest something are ignorant. Some people are not comfortable publicly stating their views, while others may not agree with the party that is presenting, and I say to each their own. Just because a fellow student doesn't want to stand with you as you protest a memorial service for a national day of grievance (I'm talking to you, UMN students) because you find it to be offensive, doesn't mean that person is ignorant, racist, or rude. (To read more, Click here.) In that case specifically, people need to look at the bigger picture and the events that happened in United States history, and acknowledge their severity and sadness before trying to take away from that day for their own argument. I understand where these students are coming from, but find to be disrespectful and selfish to choose to reject a memorial when there are many other ways to shed light on an issue. To those who state their thoughts as facts, rather than opinions, stop trying to push your views on others, only then disregard them as your equal if they don't agree with you. Don't continue to try and nitpick at society just so you can have another reason to complain and raise your voice. Lastly, for the love of all that is good in this world, please stop being so damn narcissistic.
I see this to be the biggest issue with people my age, and it is that every problem that arises, whether it's between a friend group or a global crisis, has to come back to somebody and become their issue. Collegiate millennials have learned to take political controversies and transform them into their own burdens for all the wrong reasons. Support on social media for tragedies across the globe is something that I understand and root for, but not when people bring the crisis back to themselves. If your goal is to get acknowledged for posting about how you're praying for a nation in turmoil, while in reality you haven't even taken a minute to sit down and think about what has actually happened, then you're part of the problem. Another note to touch on is for people to stop acting like they have a target on their back and taking things so seriously. When did everyone sign the agreement to become politically correct 24/7, because I sure as hell don't remember doing it. People are allowed to speak their minds, and you should be confident enough in yourself and your own beliefs that someone's differing outlook won't bother you.
The next time you see a meme poking fun at a political candidate, or get a festive holiday coffee cup rather than a blank canvas, try to rise above the urge to complain. We're being recognized as soft because we can't handle when things don't go the way we want them to, and people don't say what we want them to say. Rather than try and conform us all into one, why not change ourselves to actually become the accepting, diverse, inventive generation that we say we are? Millennials are known for accepting and supporting social rights movements, but need to learn that it's okay for someone to disagree with you, regardless of whether or not you hate their mindset. We want to be able prove the baby-boomers generation wrong when they tell us that we're not going to be successful adults governing the world. Truthfully, unless we can learn to agree to disagree, they all might be right.
And if you felt like this piece was aimed at the self-made target on your back, I can guarantee you it was.
