In recent years, the American people have been extremely divided. Political issues, religious beliefs, lifestyle choices, and simple day-to-day decisions are just a few of the things that split this country's people. Beyond those, one massive dividing concept among Americans is generational lines: The Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. When discussed in mainstream media, the Millennials are sometimes shamed as being the generation to ruin America or are praised for being the generation to push America, and the world, into the future. But whenever I hear this word, it brings to mind one question: What is a Millennial?
Now, the term "Millennial" is used in multiple ways, all with different meanings. The truest definition of the word comes from Neil Howe and William Strauss, who said Millennials were people born between 1982 and 2004. A dictionary definition of the word 'Millennial' says "a person reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century." However, the term is often used in other contexts. The stereotypical idea and definition of Millennial is a generation that is lazy, a generation that is glued to their phones, or a generation that doesn't care about what is happening in the world.
Many times, people of the Baby Boomers and Generation X generations stereotypically shame Millennials for having everything handed to them, for not working hard for their goals, for not upholding traditional family values, for being narcissistic, and so on. Then, people of the Millennial generation blame older generations for ruining America's economy, worsening global warming without doing anything to reverse it, ruining foreign policies, and so on. Do you see a pattern here?
Our society is going in circles yelling at each other over problems we should be fixing.
Even within our own generation we are yelling at and blaming each other for problems we could be fixing. Yelling about climate change will not save the environment. Arguing over how to fix the economy will not actually fix it. Attacking each other over differing political beliefs will not convince others of your beliefs. Criticizing each other for religious beliefs will not rid America of religious differences. Fighting over issues like pro-life or pro-choice, LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, or anything else will not solve those problems. How do we solve these problems? How do we fix the issues in our country? How do we break the stereotypical views of our generation?
We work together. We put our differences aside.
I know, it sounds childish and like it would never work, but imagine if we came together, as a generation, as a collective group of people, as a nation, and worked together. Working to see past our own beliefs and opinions and face the facts of our country is the only way we will be able to fix ourselves. Overpowering a group of people who don’t believe the same as you won’t do anything helpful. All that will do will cause more division and more hate and more problems. If we come together, we can solve the problems that face our nation and help the country. Our generation has more of a pressure to do so because we are the ones who will be running this country a lot sooner than we may think.
Now back to the original question: what is a Millennial? I can tell you what a Millennial shouldn’t be. A Millennial shouldn’t be a lazy and phone obsessed narcissist. A Millennial shouldn’t be a Democrat that shames a Republican for their political beliefs, or vice versa. A Millennial shouldn’t be someone who embarrasses someone else who does not share their own religious beliefs. A Millennial shouldn’t be someone who condemns people who think differently than they do or believe different things than they do. But that’s how we’re viewed, and sadly, that’s how many of us act.
A Millennial should be someone who sees the differences in our society, who sees the differences in our people and accepts them. Accepts those people for their differences. A Millennial should be someone who recognizes the problems in our nation and wants to do something about them. A Millennial should be someone who puts aside their differences with the people around them and works together to better our country.
So I urge you to step up. Step up and break the stereotypical view of Millennials. Step up and make this country better.
