(Picture credit: Alan Glassman; FCA students with John Stephen)
Lots of kids – lots of papers. What is undeniable, however, is their optimism is there (as well it should be). However, this paper rings a note of truth – spot it.
Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?In 1998 journalist Tom Brokaw published a book entitled The Greatest Generation. In it, he wrote these words: “It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced.” He was referring to the millions of Americans who were raised amid the Great Depression, fought World War II, and returned home to firmly establish America as the most powerful nation on earth. These heroic men and women had not only the willingness and perseverance to accomplish what to them must have seemed impossible, but also the humility to use these abilities to benefit others. To me, these accomplishments pose a question. Does my generation have a role in America’s future? Assuming it does, will this role be positive or negative?
I have to admit, at first glance, my initial assessment is not encouraging…
…Willingness? The laziest and most apathetic people I’ve met are fellow teenagers. We have been provided with more than any generation in history, but are we grateful? No! We want more, but for less effort. Perseverance? Forget it. We spend our days jumping from one media source to the next, never doing more than perhaps a few minutes of hard work at a given time. Humility? Are you kidding me? Look at our idols – TV personalities, singers, actors, professional athletes. We want riches, glamour, and fame – we don’t want to become a part of the regular work force. That would be too ordinary; that would be beneath us. If only we had in our ranks men like those who gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy, if only we had among us women like those who held the country together during the Second World War, then maybe, just maybe, there would be hope that someday our generation could be great too.
But, wait a second. Isn’t what was so notable about the greatest generation the fact that while the effectiveness of their actions was unparalleled, they themselves were, well, average? Perhaps then, when evaluating my own generation, I should not be quick judge all by those who are screaming to be heard, or by those who are fighting to avoid responsibility. Perhaps I should look at the perseverance of “average Joes” like my friend Josh, who works thirty hours a week, while attending high school AND taking college courses, or my friend Tim, who continued to attend soccer games and practices last year, even though he had broken his leg and the coach had told him he could stay home, or my friend Angela, who works two jobs. Perhaps I should notice the willingness of regular people like my brother’s friend Andrew, who spent one of his college vacations helping clean the city of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina, or my friend Chris, who voluntarily quit his job in exchange for an unpaid internship at a car repair shop. And I definitely must not overlook the humility of the heroes of my generation, men and women like my brother Pete, who joined the Marines after college and was deployed to Iraq, or Erin, the volleyball coach at my school, who served as a medic, or my friends Matt and David, who joined the army last year, and are currently serving in Korea and Afghanistan respectively. We must make sure that these hometown heroes are never forgotten, and are always respected, in the same way as we must continue to honor those who have protected us in the past.
In closing, to my peers I would like to say this: it’s no secret that we are surrounded by problems. Issues such as terrorism, world hunger, racism, dwindling natural resources, a weakened economy, and war flood the news stream on a daily basis. Some of these problems may never be totally disposed of, but if we wish to stop them from destroying our country, we must take action. We cannot afford to be complacent. While we may never be called “The greatest generation,” we must be determined to learn from the men and women who are. This is our time, and in order for us to attain success, we must develop the humility needed to be willing to serve and prepared to persevere. And, to all generations past: thank you for your actions and examples. Empowered by these, we will not stop fighting to protect what you once fought to attain. We will never forget you, and we will not let you down.
I would add this: it isn’t just with teenagers but is a symptom of many adults as well. That said, his plea was said concerning elections past – what remains to be seen is not just elections future (and the percentages of voters participating) but whether or not the "adults" amongst us now will take up their mantle of responsibility – not just because our Republic is built upon citizens knowing the issues AND acting upon them, but also as role models for these teens. -Skip
