Why I think my generation will be the next 'greatest generation'...
[DISCLAIMER]: I'm eighteen years old and strongly opinionated.
Sure, my parents, my grandparents, and all other fogies I stumble upon hate where I wear my jeans, my diction, my choice of music, how I dance, and my habits. They tell me to slow down when I'm driving. They share with me anecdotes of their childhood when "children would walk to school", when "there was no TV or video games". And as I escape the cold weather over this hot cup of Costa Rican coffee, I must say that I believe (like many other teenagers) that adults are being irrational and unfair. I am also convinced that not only is my generation not as awful as adults paint us out to be, but that we may just be the greatest generation since - well - The Great Depression/World War II era.
Why do I say this? Two reasons: the current political climate and the financial crisis. Stay with me...
Let's look at the first reason: politics. Hell, ever since I can remember all politics has been is a back-and-forth, bitter, lobbyist-lovin', corrupt, elitist, petty, and war-mongering entity. As far back as my thoughts go all I remember about politics is the 1994 takeover of Congress and the stalemate between the President and Congress, then there was Monica, then there was the 2000 Election and Rovian politics, September 11th, A rush to war, A rush to another war (for no reason), the characterization of an American hero as a 'radical', the 2000 fiasco in Florida and then 2004 in Ohio, Guantanamo Bay, Scooter Libby, Hurricane Katrina, Harriet Miers, Crawford, Texas, Enron, Blackwater, and Tom Delay.
Damn. So, to me, it's a no-brainer that there was record turnout across high school and college campuses in 2008. Why there is a record number of college students traveling and studying in foreign countries. Why, I know more than 50 people on the top of my head (including myself) who canvassed for Barack at least once a week during the election. It's why I postponed my entrance to college for a year so that I could affect turnout in Cleveland, Ohio. There is an unbelievable amount of awareness and concern for political and international issues among my generation. This generation is not an apathetic plague on community, but rather - it seems - a...
harworking,
engaged,
and powerful community.
Then, there's the economy. This economy has forced many of my peers to forgo an ivy-league college education in exchange for the cheaper in-state, to redo plans of getting a new car, to think twice before buying a new pair of jeans, to carpool in order to save gas and money, and ultimately settle for less.
In fact, I have been forced to fund raise on this community for an upcoming trip that I thought was paid for.
There are reports of students dropping out of college to work because they can't afford to attend school for the second semester.
Trust me when I say, that it's tested us - in imaginable ways. But I believe that it's made us stronger and more aware.
I've caught myself thinking: "At least I can go to college, even if it wasn't my first choice."
I've heard: "I took a year off of school to help my mom pay the mortgage", "Instead of eating out, how about we cook something instead".
AND, all the while, we have still lived happily and without regret. We recognize that this crisis is only going to get worse. Our college degree's won't assure us a job, the American Dream will be harder for us to achieve, and we can't depend on Social Security.
True. We are the generation of IPODS, Personal Computers, Cellphones and Text Messaging, and Undying consumerism. But, it is also this generation who responded to Barack Obama's call to service and is enrolling in the Peace Corps and Ameri Corps in record numbers. Who is flooding Study Abroad Offices across the nation. Who is overwhelming local food banks and animal shelters. We are a generation who desires to give back to the world. So while we may say "homeboy" and give each other "dap", and rattle a nearby car with a booming bass, we also care - deeply - for this world, this nation, and the future of mankind.