Ah, millennials. Also known as Generation Y, they're teens and adults born between 1980 and 2000. I, myself was born in the very late 90s (1997 to be exact), and although my memory of the decade is little to none compared to over 3/4 of the others within the generation, I still have pride and feel honored that the stars aligned for me to be apart of this generation, no matter how late. (I guess winding up having technology challenged, Motown record playing, old school parenting Baby Boomer parents having me at 40 years old has its benefits...who knew!) While some would say that I'm apart of Generation Z, I still feel more like a Millennial than anything. Many people say that we're "entitled" or "coddled" or conceited," and many complain about us still living with our retired parents and starting actual "adult" lives at older ages, but there's no denying, we are a pretty great generation. Yes we have our negatives, but it's not like other generations have their faults (*cough cough* Baby Boomers *cough cough* economy *cough cough*). Here are three reasons why we're pretty dang cool.
1. We're passionate about, accept and celebrate diversity. And we know right from wrong with prejudices, not matter how subtle.
Many consider this as a negative, saying that we are entirely too sensitive. I will call that out. Yes, some of us are hypersensitive to certain issues, and it can be extremely annoying and problematic, but all of this stems from being passionate when it comes to these issues. We are much more aware of issues such as systematic racism, homophobia and transphobia, the endangerment of the environment, and much much more. And you know what? We have every right to be. Isn't it time for all of the hate and ignorance and the destruction of the mother Earth that we live on to end, or at least calm down in the 21st century? As I've said earlier, my parents are baby boomers and are at the age of 60, and three out of four of my aunts are not far behind her in age, so they vaguely remember "colored only" signs and attended blacks only schools up until they reached junior high/middle school.
They grew up with (and unfortunately still watch) cowboy shows that negatively depict Native Americans, whether they're the bad guys ("savages") or even the good guys who have broken English and are referred to as "Indian" when addressed. They grew up with shows that involve gun violence, cigarette promotions (RE: The Flinstones), and, as mentioned earlier, blatant, pure, unapologetic racism (RE: Looney Tunes). Of course this applies to most of the other 76.4 million boomers out there, am I correct? It doesn't seem like a big deal to them. And it sure as heck doesn't seem like a big deal to most of the Silent Generation either (those born between mid 1920s to 1945). As a millennial who was taught that these negative stereotypes and racism are just flat out unacceptable at a very young age and grew up with shows that do not show an ounce of gun violence whatsoever and would have cigarettes in the story line only to demote them instead of promote them, of course this is going to stand out to me much more than it does to them.
And as time progresses, we are more aware of other minority groups such as the LGTBQ+ community and recognize injustice for them as well. Think about all of the different sexuality and gender identities that have been brought to light. Were they acknowledged in the 1960s and 70s? Or even in the 80s or the 90s? Heck, even in the 00s?? Was homosexuality not classified as a mental disorder until 1977? Was reeducation not used for the LGTBQ community 50 years ago? Exactly. While most older generations don't even understand and think it's just nonsense, we embrace and celebrate, just like we do with other forms of diversity. We've even started to use the term "differently abled" instead of "disabled". So what seems like "business as usual" or not even a problem to the older generations, is outrage and "Oh my god this is getting so old it's time for this to end already" to us, so of course we are going to take action, raise awareness, and inform and educate those who do not understand.
2. We use our technology for good (not evil).
Yes, we are the first generation to experience cyber bullying, sexting, and having our social media mistakes out for the whole world to see, and yes we excessively use technology to put ourselves for the world to see by making funny videos and taking dozens of selfies, but regardless of what you old folks think, we use it for much more than that. As I mentioned in reason No. 1, we are much more aware of injustice and other social issues, so what is the fastest way to put information out for the whole world to see? That's right! The internet! Because of this, many of us learn more from the internet than school, and that is because we. The internet is uncensored, and has what most history books leave out. And, of course, many of us do realize that we have to be careful with what we read and believe so we can be properly educated. Not only that, but we use our technology to enhance our creativity. No need for those cheesy teacher's catalogs for kid's crafts and classroom decor or house design magazines anymore! Now there's a plethora of options out here. Practically infinite I would say! What do you guys think Pinterest is for? And don't you Baby Boomers act like you're not addicted to it, either!
3.) And last but not least...we had the best childhood (regardless of technology)!
Have you guys not noticed how much we celebrate the memories and the pop culture of our childhood? Why? Because it was so good! Even though I am a young millennial, some of the 90s pop culture still crossed over to the early 2000s, like shows such as "Kenan and Kel," "Rocko's Modern Life," "Rugrats," and (my fave) "The Powerpuff Girls." As someone born in the later half of the 90s, I honestly feel that we as later millennials (and even some of those born in the early 2000s) are the last to have what many call "a real childhood." Many classify Generation Z (those born in 2001 to now) as not having a real childhood now do to their unlimited and unstoppable access to the advanced technology that we now have.
Although I find it inaccurate when many say things like "kids don't go outside anymore" ( I mean maybe not as much, but they still do), a part of me can agree as I see my younger cousins grow up and enter elementary and middle school and technology advances. I see my 6-year-old cousin watching YouTube videos on how to play with Play Dough. Like really? Of course videos like that can enhance creativity, and they actually have in many kids across the nation, but...really though? Really? When I was that age, YouTube didn't exist for another two years! And even then, it wasn't as popular.
Also when I was her age, I was playing with toys and using my imagination. I read somewhere the other day that said the average age of those who play with Barbie dolls dropped from age 10 to 3. The article also said that many think this a sign of the younger generation growing up too fast. I can see that. Despite only being in first grade, my cousin and her brothers already have email addresses given to them by the school. I didn't even know what that was as a child. Many kids now are getting Chromebooks and iPads for school purposes. You know when iPads came out? 2010. I was 13 years old. This was also when I got my first computer. As someone who was a child during the early 2000s, I remember seeing commercials for high speed internet and AOL that featured the little yellow man. (Does AOL still exist?)
I remember having to use dial up when I used my aunt's computer years ago, and her not being able to use her landline phone. I even had a toy beeper as a kid! (even though I had absolutely no idea what it was used for.) Things didn't move as fast for us as it did for them, regardless of the amount of change and advancement we witnessed with technology throughout the years of our childhood. I mean, what are elementary school kids going to do with emails? what are kindergartners going to do with emails? Can they even spell, let along type and form decent sentences?
That's pretty much what I think about my generation. Us 35-16 year olds are making the future what is today and what it soon will be in the future. We learned from our parent's, grandparent's, and great grandparent's mistakes, and we are determined to not make history repeat itself. We are who Generation Z depends on to make their future bright and safe, as the older half of us are raising them and teaching and taking care of them in general to begin with. You can say what you want about us, but regardless, we are the future, and soon, we're going to be the ones in charge. Be prepared.
