My generation is a very interesting generation. We are the generation to grow up with the Internet. We are the generation to grow up with access to cell phones. The generation that needs a college education to succeed. Our generation has a higher level of education than all generations that came before us. The future is in our hands.
The future of this country is up for grabs, and this is evident in this year’s presidential election. The millennial generation overwhelmingly supported Bernie Sanders and the more liberal political platform. The older generations largely supported Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. If my generation is able to continue this level of political participation, the face of American politics could completely change.
American contemporary politics today is still largely influenced by Ronald Reagan and the “traditional” Republican Party. This has happened largely because the generation that voted for Ronald Reagan has maintained its activism in political discussion and elections. This year’s election proved that if my generation were to become politically active, the status quo of American politics would be interrupted.
The candidate of the millennial generation has not secured the Democratic nomination for president, but the candidate has changed the democratic platform to benefit its ideology and beliefs. This small change in national Democratic ideology could possibly empower my generation for the better.
If diverse candidates from the millennial generation are able to run for and win elections, the social movement started during this presidential election cycle by millennials and Bernie Sanders, will change American politics forever. A more egalitarian society where everyone has access to the economy and all of the important aspects of American social life will be created. This new American society is what my generation should and must strive for.
The millennial generation is the most aware generation to date. Social and political issues that have been off limits for other generations have become mainstream topics of debate and contestation. Race issues and problems that were ignored by baby boomers and Generation X have finally become topics that can be solved by current and future representatives.
My generation has the power to change America. We have the ability to substantially improve the lives of more Americans (and people in general) than others before us. My life, the lives of my future children, my friends and their future children, as well as all of our parents and grandparents could have their lives improved based upon our decisions.
If we are able to be as unselfish as possible, (yet also be selfish in our own professional careers and endeavors to directly improve our lives) we will be able to do wondrous things. The world’s poorest people could have their lives vastly improved. Our parents and grandparents could have their lifespan and quality of life vastly improved. Our children and their children could have their life prospects vastly increased/improved. All of this could happen purely based upon our decisions.
My generation could accomplish all of this if it truly wants to. The only question is, if my generation's willing to do the work. To accomplish all of this we must go against human nature. Humans are inherently self-interested, making all of their decisions on what will most likely improve their life specifically (and possibly the lives of those closest to them).
For my generation to achieve all of this we must put aside our petty differences and unnecessary self-interest. We must focus upon the lives of our peers and how we can improve them. We must believe that we can improve each other’s lives while we also improve our own lives. We must have the courage to sacrifice complete and utter success so that those we know nothing about can live a life that we would also be comfortable living.
My life and my generation can change everything. It’s up to us to actually try.
