I am a millennial... at least according to the qualifications for my generation I looked up on google.
First, let me establish a basic understanding of my relationship with our generation:
I am not a millennial because I like pumpkin spice lattes.
I am not a millennial because I like wearing Uggs with my tights.
I am not a millennial because I enjoy posting ridiculously processed selfies on Instagram.
I am a millennial simply because I was born between the years of 1982-2004. I don't fit into every stereotype that we are grouped into, and neither do you. We are all individual people with completely different narratives, hobbies and belief systems who happen to have been born into the digital age.
So, why would anyone be proud of this generation? After all, with all of the criticism we get for being lazy, stupid, entitled and clueless to the world around us, why would anyone choose to identify with that? So without further delay, here are the reasons why I'm proud to be a millennial, and you should be too.
1. Every generation is criticized by the previous; the generational gap is not a new phenomenon.
"Millennials are ruining the economy!", "Millennials are entitled brats!", "Millennials are too sensitive". We've all seen the articles. We've all seen that CAPS LOCK RANT your uncle posted on Facebook about how america is going down the toilet and it's all our fault. The thing is; we are not the first generation to face these kind of headlines. Your parents, grandparents, and their grandparents all faced similar rhetoric upon their generations' coming of age. I don't claim to be an expert on generational conflict, but as far as my anecdotal experience justifies my point, I have observed a pattern of older generations disapproving of the younger.
2. Entitlement is a gift. (don't forget to say thank you)
When I was growing up, I often listened to stories that began with "back in my day" and went on to explain the hardships and battles that my elders faced in order to reach their current state. These stories are a beautiful reminder from generations past that our freedoms, financial stability, and present comfort are not without a cost. To be completely honest, I believe that the majority of people in my generation would learn a great deal from stepping back and listening to the stories and hardships of the older generations and appreciating just how much privilege most of us have as a result; but that does not mean that everyone in our generation is in a place of privilege, entitlement or that we as a whole do not face unique challenges. As long as we remember the struggles of the previous generation, respect their knowledge and spend time trying to close the gap from our side, we do not have to feel guilty or ashamed to belong to a generation that does not face those same struggles.
3. We are not all the same. No generation is.
Every generation is diverse. Some are democrats, some are independents, and some are Republicans. Some are religious, some are not. Some worked hard to get where they are, and some have everything handed to them on a silver platter. Some are financially responsible, and some are not. Some are hateful, and some are hippies. We are not all the same. Whether you are a Baby Boomer, gen x, or a millennial, you may or may not fit the stereotype of your generation. We have to recognize that our differences are what makes humanity great, and embrace those as a part of who we are as a society. There should be room for criticism, dissent, and admonishment within every culture. That's all.
4. I have to be proud.
You have to be proud. Every person in our generation is different, and I think that it is essential to represent that by claiming our name without the attachments that media places on it. We should all work on being better people, but we should not be ashamed of the things we like or the experiences we have in life. If you have privileges, your job is to recognize them, be thankful and stand up for those who don't. If you have a unique experience or don't fit the stereotype, it's your job to tell your story.
Here's mine:
- I'm young.
- I'm inexperienced.
- I come from poverty.
- I'm taking a gap year...not to travel or have fun, but to work so I can put myself through college.
- I shop at thrift stores not because I'm trendy, but because I have to.
- I'm a white girl.
- I have advantages and disadvantages based on things I didn't choose.
- I HATE SNAPCHAT
- I'm pretty basic sometimes.
What's your story?
Resources:
What is a millennial? The Atlantic
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