essays

You Think You’re Tired

According to a USA Today article, some generations are getting just a little bit tired of the spotlight that always seems to be shining on baby boomers.

Guess what? We’re a little tired of the target that’s been painted on our backs for all these years. Still, it hurts when Me Gens wonder if “baby boomers will ever leave.” As in die? Is that what you want? Really? Really?

Or saying that boomers “have sucked up a lot of oxygen.” What? We can’t even breathe?

Or declaring that boomers are "always examining themselves and their feelings." Spoken like a true member of the silent generation. Better to sit silently and show no emotion to your friends and family. That has to be a good life.

How about at work? Things are no better there. Younger employees think boomers take their jobs too seriously, and “are too wrapped up in this thing called 'career' ...The world is kind of a mess for this new generation to pick up the pieces." Okay then, you pick up the pieces and fix it all up and then see what your kids think of your mess. Does every generation think they can make the world a better place than the way they found it? Good luck with that world view.

But the situation is not all gloom and doom. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,011 adults found that boomer influence earned high marks:

• 52% say Baby Boomers have made things better for the generations that came after them; 39% say they've made it worse.

• 57% describe Baby Boomers as "giving," while 37% describe them as "selfish."

• 54% say the better word to describe the generation is "practical," 41% say "idealistic."

And if that doesn’t make you feel better, how about this end quote from one of the interviewees.

"There are so many differences in this group of people. The only thing we have in common is we think we're fascinating.”

In the words of Harvey Fierstein, “Is that so wrong?”

Jay Harrison is a graphic designer and writer whose work can be seen at DesignConcept. He's written a mystery novel, which therefore makes him a pre-published author.