I am a Millennial.
I am a part that group of “ungrateful” people born between 1980 and 2000. The people who are “constantly on their phones” or the ones who are “too lazy these days.” I’ve been told we are “disrespectful to our elders” and “not doing anything with our lives.” I am a Millennial, and I am tired of being bashed and talked poorly about.
Do you know how often I hear that this generation is terrible? I see the older generations bash us on social media EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. The social media that, wait for it, a Millennial created. It is very apparent that things have changed since we started using our brains. Interracial relationships are common, and ACCEPTED. Being gay is no longer a tattoo you wear on your forehead, but rather simply your sexual preference. But most importantly, more technological and medical advancements have been made than in previous generations. I’m not sure why everyone talks about us as if we are the “mistake” with society. I hate to break it to you, but you are sadly mistaken.
Did you know that college is harder now than it was back then? And not even just that, but students in my generation are choosing harder majors to better ourselves and our families for the future. We do our research on the best options on those portable screens we are “obsessed with” and gain more information that will better us in the future every single day. Twitter is not just for complaining and memes. Although we are downright hilarious, social media actually provides people with political, economic, and social information that is making us more aware of everything that is around us. So next time you complain about “back in my day” realize that according to the facts, my classes are harder than your studies were, and next time you say we are “culturally unaware” realize we probably have a better view of things than most of you do.
I’m a Millennial, and instead of being taught to respect everyone, (remember: “respect your elders”) I was taught to respect those who respect you. If you are older than me, but are completely disrespectful and rude, you cannot expect to get respect from a Millennial. We have learned to grow a backbone, to not take anyone’s criticism, and to do better than those before us. We are independent, strong, and not afraid to speak our minds to anyone. Age is just a number in this world. There are Millennials going on to run huge businesses and doing great things that benefit YOU, but you have the audacity to tell us that we are disrespectful? I apologize that my generation does not want to be treated as a doormat, but I can guarantee we will not be walked over like you have been in the past. To get respect, you must give respect. Your age does not guarantee that.
My generation has had enough. We are tired of being bashed, tired of hearing harsh words about us on social media, and fed up with the ones who shaped this society degrading us. We are technologically advanced, hard-working, independent people. We are not lazy. We are not disrespectful, and we are doing more with our lives than you will ever give us credit for. But I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you’ve done wrong in the past. Instead, I’m going to thank you. Thank you for letting social constructs skew your views towards people, thank you for your criticisms, and thank you for saying we are terrible. Because of you, we have learned how NOT to act. We treat everyone as human regardless of skin color or sexual preference, we respect those who deserve it, and you’ve pushed us to continue to prove you wrong. I’m a Millennial, and you can continue to call me terrible. But next time you need someone to show you how to send pictures on your phone, don’t come begging me for help.
