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To the older Generations,
My name is Kat Argonza and I am a Milennial.
You call us lazy, distractable and disloyal. We don’t understand good old fashioned traditions. We don’t pay our dues. We demand too much leeway, such as time off, flexibility and high pay. According to Cashmere Mafia “Generation X made way for Generation ID… I deserve”. If my generation exhibits a sense of entitlement, then previous generations exhibit a false sense of Accomplishment.
How about a Social Security system that we won’t benefit from, but will lose a lot of money to? What about the cost of education and the cost of living driven sky high, the system of credit? Try Health Care? Gen-Y inherited this from old generations. How about the FUBAR in the Middle East where old ways of thinking dominated and prolonged a war that we could have and can still win if new ideas could be accepted. General Patreus is a true rarity - he knew that if somethings not working you don’t keep doing the same thing. You change. You adapt. You try new ways of thinking until you find something that works. It’s a new concept to swallow, but just because it’s new and different doesn’t mean it’s bad. Just because something worked before, doesn’t mean it’s working now.
Want to know the kicker? We have a credit problem in this country. So what are we doing? We’re throwing money we do not have at it! We’re driving our country into more debt. So thanks a lot for putting that debt on our shoulders. Thanks for not adapting and doing the exact same thing over and over again even though it obviously doesn’t work. We have a debt problem? Let’s make more debt!
Who’s going to have to fix this mess? Generation Y, or the generations that come after us. So for all the criticism we recieve, we’d hope you’d have a little faith in us, or else why would you be placing this huge burden upon our shoulders? So maybe instead of criticizing us maybe you should try to help us solve the problems that were created before most of us were even able to walk.
We’re inheriting an uncertain world and we need guidance, not judgment. We need mentors who understand that just because we have new ideas doesn’t mean we’re disrespecting your way of doing it. My generation needs to end this curse, but we can’t do it without the help of the Generation that is currently holding power. Don’t make it worse and fix what you can. Invest in us, teach us. It’s the only way we can stop digging our own grave, financially speaking.
Respectfully,
Gen-Y
Awesome letter. I definitely agree about the false sense of accomplishment. One would argue that this is no excuse for the entitlement issues, though, and that two wrongs don't make a right.
Overall I really like this statement because I think it's 100% true. We and future generations will be footing the bill for this mess. Maybe that's why Gen X does not care. Why should they? It's not their money. Ironically Gen Y's entitlement issues may also cause debt in the long run as well, if you think about it.
The cycle continues.
Well put!
Kat:
I couldn't agree more - except for the fact that you're making one common mistake - you are "lumping" Gen X (me) into a catagory that is very underserved. I'M ON YOUR SIDE and face many of the same burdens that you do. And get this - I'm the very first year of Gen X, which could make you mistakenly identify me as a Baby Boomer.
I understand and share your grief, but please don't shut me and the rest of my generation out simply because we don't belong to yours.
Catherine
And this is why this old, broken-down, partially disabled ex-paratrooper platoon sergeant is doing his best to help.
Good luck, LT. Lead the way, and I'll cover your back with all that I know and have learned, as well with a fully loaded M-203. :)
Is there a way to signify a standing ovation?
...Because you just got one.
This is amazing. Great job.
This post has me so excited to see (and have my own part in) in the things our generation will accomplish. There will be good and bad, but I can only imagine what we'll be doing 5, 10, 20 years from now...
Great post!
@Catherine - I think you make an excellent point. This letter is probably more directed towards the Baby Boomers than Gen-X. Isn't Obama technically a Gen-X too? I don't know when the years actually start
@JRandom42 - lol always good to know!
@Emily - You will have found your place in corporate mediocrity 5, 10, 20 years from now. Prepare yourself for submission to the cubicle.
Kat your post was spot on. We are the ones that are going to be left cleaning up this mess so we should be able to voice our opinions as to how money is being allocated as well. I am sick of people who subscribe to the adage, " You're too young to know what you are talking about so let us handle the situation." Apparently, if we are old enough for you to take our money we pay in taxes, then why can't we voice our dissent in how our tax money is being spent? Great post.
@anonymous Since you're anonymous, I assume then you consider yourself an authority on mediocrity. Saying that this generation will only amount to having the life of a cubicle employee not only diminishes what this generation has done, but also the good things of the generations before. While every generation inherits problems, there are great things, too. Yers might not have their drive without Boomer parents.
@Anonymous - wow, that transference is strong. I think you've revealed more about your lack of achievement than anything else. Just because you didn't amount to anything more than mediocrity doesn't mean that Emily, or any member of Gen-Y, is sealed to your lackluster existence.
@LaTosha - "I am sick of people who subscribe to the adage, " You're too young to know what you are talking about so let us handle the situation." Apparently, if we are old enough for you to take our money we pay in taxes, then why can't we voice our dissent in how our tax money is being spent?" Thank you! You said it just right. Not only should there be open communication between generations (minus condescension and hostility) is necessary since our problems will take several generations to fix.
@Valerie, we're all paying for it, and we will all continue to do so for quite some time. There's no need to say Generation X doesn't care because it isn't our money--because it actually is our money, too. What, all of us are going to die soon? We're not that old!
"We’re inheriting an uncertain world and we need guidance, not judgment."
@Kathleen, fair enough. But while it's true that you can learn by doing, you can also learn by listening. Social Security, health care, the credit system...these are things we all inherited. Shall we point fingers and talk nonstop, or find ways to make them work better, and have a more just and beneficial society? Because the latter course would actually involve changing the world, and I'd love to see that happen.
I am a Gen X'er and I have great confidence in the abilities of the Millennial generation. Some of my confidence is based on the history of generational cycles (see my blog for more on that) but a lot is based on what the Millennial generation has been given.
I have two Millennial kids, so perhaps I am biased. But this much is clear: the Millennial generation has been better cared for, educated and supported than any generation since the GI's (born 1901-1924). Some of that debt that future generations will have to bear came from money being spent by Boomers and Xers to get Millennials the best educations possible.
Yes, Silents (born 1925-1942), Boomers (born 1943-1960) and X'ers (born 1961-1981) shattered the society that the GIs built. But it needed shattering. The 'burb house (made of ticky-tacky) with 1.4 kids, 2 cars and a barefoot wife was, as it turns out, less than ideal. The breakdown of that system was inevitable, but the older generations were never cohesive enough to put something back together out of the rubble. The only thing we managed to build was healthy, confident, civic-minded and (at times) brazen kids. That's you guys, the Millennials (born 1982-200?).
So yeah, I believe you can take the heavy burden. And yeah, you are going to have to put up with a bunch of cynical (X'er) and opinionated (Boomer) elders who screwed up a lot more than they got right, but that is your place in history (as do we). There are some SERIOUS trials to come (this mess ain't over until 2025) where the criticism of your elders will be the least of your worries.
If you are looking for guidance (you mention it in your post) the one thing I would say is: get what you can from the older generations. Leave behind what you don't need. Build something new with both things in mind.
...not only diminishes what this generation has done...
With all due respect, what has Generation Y done exactly? From my perspective all they do is talk about all the great things they are capable of and actually execute very little. That's why they're the first ones getting made redundant.
Also, if you want to be taken seriously by an educated audience, please run spell-check.
My name is Kat Argonza and I am a Milennial. You're actually a Millennial.
I realize that this is directed at Boomers, but you did call out Xers (Cashmere Mafia reference). We're not getting social security either. The older generation to us is also the Boomers. We are also inherenting all of these problems and will also be part of the solution. We have more in common than you might think.
That being said. I think you have a good post here. And I think you're correct about the guidance part. We all need guidance. So here's my old chick guidance of the day :) I understand that it'll take Ys some time to "get" Xers. It took me YEARS to "get" Boomers. But once I did, it opened up my career. We probably communicate differently than you do (just as the Boomers communicate differently than we do.) Once I really started to learn about how and why the Boomers communicate the way they do, I was able to hear their guidance much better.
@Suzanne Kart - Actually, that particular quote from Cashmere Mafia was said by a Boomer, so I'm not particularly calling out the Gen X. As for your advice, I know what you're getting at, and I hear it. My own shortcoming is that I have issues "Hearing" adults who haven't served in the military because it feels like there is so little (or absolutely no) common ground to jump off from.
@CrazenBareerist - "With all due respect, what has Generation Y done exactly? From my perspective all they do is talk about all the great things they are capable of and actually execute very little. That's why they're the first ones getting made redundant."
Do tell us what YOU have done. How about the folks that built this entire site, isn't that an accomplishment? Or the various social networks for GenY? How about changes in media, changes in how we advertise and communicate? How about a generation that's getting a great education? How about the generation of veterans? The majority going over are GenX and GenY. Those crazy kids... so lazy.
"Also, if you want to be taken seriously by an educated audience, please run spell-check."
Uh huh. So that's the best criticism you could come up with? That's a real substantial argument.
Do tell us what YOU have done.
I'm not the one blogging about how great my generation is, that's why I'm asking you.
How about the folks that built this entire site, isn't that an accomplishment?
Sp you’re saying Gen Y is great because they built a website.
Or the various social networks for GenY?
Sp you’re saying Gen Y is great because they built many websites that encourage narcissism and mindless banter.
How about changes in media, changes in how we advertise and communicate?
Many websites with a narcissistic focus don't have the social impact that say the invention of the internet has. Web 2.0 business models are burning through cash and doing little else.
How about a generation that's getting a great education?
Yes, there are millions of Chinese and Indians getting great educations. This implies past generations didn't get great educations. Not sure about this one.
How about the generation of veterans? The majority going over are GenX and GenY.
What about Vietnam? Wow!
Those crazy kids... so lazy.
Nobody accused anyone of being lazy.
What cracks me up is I see Chinese and Indians on a daily basis who are taking your jobs and starting businesses and don't babble on about how they could be great if people stopped putting them down. They spend their time executing.
"Do tell us what YOU have done.
I'm not the one blogging about how great my generation is, that's why I'm asking you."
I enlisted into the US Army in 2004, at the age of 17. I commissioned at the age of 20. I was a platoon leader for two years and in a staff position right now. I will be deploying in 2010. I am also qualified in Modern Army Combatives Level I, about to complete Level II and I'm an assistant instructor. I'll be doing Level III in the near future. I am in the process of writing a history book on the experience of Filipinos in WWII. I also fully assimilated to the culture, got my citizenship. I have run 3 marathons and will soon be receiving sponsorships for them once I recover from knee surgery. I am a freelance writer and professional blogger. I am also an Izea Insider. I also speak three languages, I'm currently learning my fourth - Arabic. Is that enough or do you require more?
"Sp you’re saying Gen Y is great because they built a website."
So... you got on my case for not spell checking, huh? No, I'm saying that there are great entrepreneurs who created this community and they are GenY
"Sp you’re saying Gen Y is great because they built many websites that encourage narcissism and mindless banter."
Again, someone got mad at me for not spell checking...? No, they created a community and this community (blog groups and others) are actually changing how advertising is done.
"Many websites with a narcissistic focus don't have the social impact that say the invention of the internet has. Web 2.0 business models are burning through cash and doing little else."
I think that Izea may disagree with on that. So might Target and Sears because they ran successful ad campaigns for little cost by hiring bloggers who use communities like Brazen to spread the word. Guerilla marketing is alive and well and on the blogosphere.
"Yes, there are millions of Chinese and Indians getting great educations. This implies past generations didn't get great educations. Not sure about this one."
Those Chinese and Indian kids are also GenY... or are you assuming that just because they're not american that those getting educations in other countries aren't a part of these generation.
"How about the generation of veterans? The majority going over are GenX and GenY.
What about Vietnam? Wow!"
Are you assuming that those who are in this war aren't as good as the Vietnam veterans simply because they're younger? I"m not understanding your point. This generation is currently fighting a war which I think is actually an accomplishment. At no point did I disrespect the Vietnam Vets, WWII vets or others. Are you trying to put words in my mouth?
"What cracks me up is I see Chinese and Indians on a daily basis who are taking your jobs and starting businesses and don't babble on about how they could be great if people stopped putting them down. They spend their time executing."
They're NOT taking my jobs. Nor did I say that I'm being held back by people putting me down. My entire post was about the hypocrisy of some people who put down my generation when their generation was responsible for a huge financial mess.
@kathleen, I'm not sure how broadly we can cast a net when referring to other nationalities and cultures in terms of generations. Chronologically, yes, clearly generations are global. However, the general usage of Gen Y seems very U.S.-Canada-focused in terms of culture. That doesn't mean it's uniformly white, or uniformly middle or upper class, or uniformly anything else.
But I wonder how broadly we can cast the "Gen Y" or "Millennial" net around the world, when so many people in that age range don't even have access to so many of the things we take for granted.
By the way, I'd love to read your book!
LT, you mean there's no Farsi or Mandarin in your future? :)
Still think you should go Airborne, but I think that's my bias. :)
As for younger veterans, I remember Star Trek's episode, "Concious of the King" and the one scene where Kirk asks Anton Karidian:
"What were you twenty years ago?"
Karidian's expression turns distant, nostalgic, sad, and tired.
"Younger, Captain. Much younger."
That's one of the few real differences in the generations of veterans.
@Katenonymous - I'm actually not sure about that either, but I think that's something worth exploring in a future post. I will say that my Japanese friends and my friends from Switzerland (who hav since scattered across the globe) claim to have similar woes as North American GenY. I haven't actually been to India or China so I'm actually not sure either. I will say it would be a good thing to explore. As for my book, Thanks! I am actually thinking about offering it for free via my blog when it's all done! My grandmother was a child at the time, village razed and lived in the jungle during the war. I think it's an incredibly unique and important story, so hopefully I can get it done soon... after all, I'm racing the clock.
@Jrandom- I'm not sure if the army will allow me to do airborne after all my knee work, but I'll at least try :-) I've got nothing but time before deployment after all. If I can't do Airborne school, I'll do civilian skydiving. Don't worry, my dad's pushing for airborne too. You're not the only one ;-).
I will say this for veterans (or soldiers in general): We're all a part of the same fraternity.
My mother spent ages 4 through 7 in a Japanese prison camp in Manila, so I'd really be interested in hearing about your family's experiences. Across the board, we know far too little about what Filipinos endured during WWII, and I'm glad that you're going to share your family's story.
@Katenonymous - I was wondering I could email you privately? I'd be interested in your family's story too! I'm trying to put together as much of the Filipino experience as possible. Would you be interested? Email me if you are! Katargonza@gmail.com
Each incoming generation has to listen to the prior generations tell them about how worthless they are and how little they will accomplish. But each successive generation has stepped up to the plate and kept our steaming mass of humanity from total oblivion. And so too shall it be with X and Y. Ya alls will find your place in this world even if it is within the captivity of Dilbert's cubicle.
Let me help you our here honey on the topic of typos. If you're a professional blogger and you make a post, run spell-check. If you are commenting on someone's blog, don't worry about it. I'll excuse the grammar errors in your last post and we'll call it even.
Ok, so you are in the Army, you're Filipino and writing a book you're giving away for free, and you like running. Awesome. Sorry to hear about your knee though. Seriously, that's not very fun. Four languages? That beats the hell out of most Americans so nice work.
The great entrepreneurs running this site are burning through cash and don't have a business model. The Ryans are great. Really. Nothing but respect for them. Penelope? A complete train wreck dragging whatever glimmer of hope this site has to monetize down with her.
Bloggers, blog groups, blog communities, again lots of look at me and look how great I am drivel. What's the barrier to entry? Porter's 5 forces. Every schmuck and his brother has a blog now.
Izea looks interesting only because it's DFJ. So two companies had a successful campaign? Target? Did you read about the poor sap's hedge fund that blew up betting on Target? Sounds like Target's desperate attempt to compete.
Someone commented on how all the GenY talk is Western, mainly Canadian and American. Exactly. They have better things to do than blog about GenY and subscribe to some sweeping generalization.
As for Vietnam, remember what we were talking about. You were trying to say GenY was different because they are going to war. Vietnam begs to differ. You're just following suit.
You're entire post was just another appeal at trying to throw the blame on others and suggest because you are young you aren't listened to. You need to execute, not talk about executing.
Your appeal for help on your blog which I took a brief glance at is funny. Even funnier is you mentioned me and actualy said I accused you of accomplishing nothing???
This tells me I need to start a blog because I'll generate alot more traffic than you taking the piss out of bloggers such as yourself.
Now drop and give me 20 soldier!
"You need to execute, not talk about executing."
So, all that stuff that I'm actually doing was just "talking" about executing? Uh huh. I'm actually executing and accomplishing - hence why I compete, commission and train. You're the one that's bitching and moaning above all else.
"This tells me I need to start a blog because I'll generate alot more traffic than you taking the piss out of bloggers such as yourself."
Actually I usually drive traffic to Brazen when I get a lot of comments on a post, but a shallow glance at my blog wouldn't tell you that.
"Now drop and give me 20 soldier!"
Okay, that, in itself, tells me how full of piss and vinegar you are. I don't do push ups for people not worthy of respect. The paratrooper who commented up top? Yeah, I'll do push ups for that guy. You? Hell no. That would be like rendering a salute to someone who hadn't earned it. And with your sad attempt at being quipy, I'm done with you.
You just got owned.
Props though for not editing comments like Penelope does...
You wish that I did. I don't associate with non-soldiers who say "Hooah" or any other military phrases such as "Now drop and give me 20 soldier!" Usually it means that their mocking the military. There WAS a line of respect in this debate and you just crossed it.
LT,
You need to take a walk. Why not trot on up to Brigade HQ and talk it over with the G-5?
Meanwhile, I'll look into the remedial training and maybe a few counseling sessions and some attitude adjustment. :)
Time for some NJP? ;)
I Really am disgusted with people like all of you that are commenting here. Discrimination against age, AKA X VS Y is just as bad as saying white did this to blacks or vise versus. It seems that none of you can live a productive life without putting labels on another. Shame on you. Neither generation has done more than the other. It is all an on going process. And the talk about building this website. Wow, I am so impressed. I did not know that Bill Gates was generation Y. What was that guys name that invented Morris Code? He is generation Y also.
Everyone on here seems to think that they have the answer. The problem is, what is the question?
Kat, thanks for serving in the Military. Don't forget all the other men and women from the 1700's forward that served also. They were not generation Y. Don't forget Dr Martin Luther Kings dream, he was talking about all Americans being treated equally and not labeled. Don't forget the millions of hungry children and adults that would love to be in this country that may die tonight of starvation. Don't forget the millions that are in the country that are hungry because of everyone arguing and not getting anything done.
To all of you, if you will ever realize that if you at least try to get along with the other, you will be able to live a happier life. Stop pointing fingers, when you do that you have three more pointing back at you.
Sorry Kat, the absurd hypocrisy of this comment lost it for me: "That would be like rendering a salute to someone who hadn't earned it." Frankly, that is exactly what your detractors are saying about your post and your inability to see that makes their point.
Simply put, you can't expect others to stand and salute your generation based on its self-assesed statments of what constitutes accomplishment and perspective. Gratifying to you and perhaps others with whom you identify? Unquestionably. Pursuasive? Absolutley not.
Stop using your companies pre-printed thank you notes. Hand write a thank you note! Hand writing is much more personal and it shows you care. More...
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