The “20-Somethings” Will Do It

“Isn’t it the responsibility of succeeding generations to capture the best from the preceding generation, build on it, reject the negatives, and establish its own legacy of progress? Many positive elements of the past can serve as a foundation for the future, but we know that the previous era also needs to be critiqued and amended.” TK

Dear grandkids:

You are the reasons that I am hopeful about the future of our country and our world. Cal, Addee, Evan, Nikki, Declan, Kennedy, Mattie, Lexi, Amelia, Cameron, and Patrick, with supporting upcoming stars Emeline, Claire, and Lily, will lead the charge to right the wrongs and set the tone for the future of America.

Of course, your team of peers across the country will be your teammates who will join your forces in an all-out effort to successfully overcome some pretty significant obstacles.

Despite the cynicism of your parent’s and my generations, you already know how to get along with your diverse peers. You have known more about – and are friends with – young people who don’t look like you, don’t have the same religion, don’t speak the same language, and don’t have the same gender identity as you. You tend to accept different cultures in a way that we did not.

You will work together with those “others” to overcome the social and economic issues that are presently so apparent. 

Social and Economic Justice includes These Challenges

• The environment. 
• Tribalism/racism. 
• Violence. 
• Poverty. 
• Unreasonable fear of others. 
• Health issues. 
• Education. 

Present Situation

First, you need to understand how our country has arrived at the point where we are today. Where we are witnessing a high level of violence, distrust, and despair. My opinion is that our country, the most diverse in the world, is struggling to deal with racial and cultural differences. Perhaps our biggest obstacles.  

My generation has had two major roadblocks: 1) unlearning many of the mistaken assumptions about race, sexuality, and the environment; and 2) learning about race, sexuality, and the environment. Believe me, the unlearning is more difficult because the past can eclipse the light of truth.

You, in the meantime, have the primary challenge of learning about these same areas. Your brains have a marginal degree of unlearning and many more “gigabytes” for learning storage than we do.

Points to consider:

• Slavery in our country is primarily based on the myth that Black people are “lesser than” white people. Not as smart, more prone to violence, etc..  They come from a different race? (No, there is only one race, the human race.) But the myth of Black inferiority, coupled with irrational fear and money to be made, persists among many whites to this day. 

• The United States is comprised of a far more diverse population than any other country in the world. It is a patchwork of Euro-Americans, Afro-Americans, Latin-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native-Americans. This patchwork, comingled with cultural misunderstandings, further complicates a democratic society.

• The Euro-American has the largest population at 58%, but the minority populations continue to grow while the Euro-American population is shrinking. By the year 2045, it will be less than 50%. 

• A significant number of white people understand that “they” will no longer be “in total control” as more minorities are becoming politically powerful and are gaining in population. 

Optimistic? Or at least hopeful about your generation.

What I love about you 14 grandkids: kind, caring, smart, confident, open minded, positive, tech savvy, inclusive, and educated. You 14 are a microcosm of your peers. You have the tools. So, take the next steps. 

Your charge is to:

• Understand how government works. 
• Become proactive at the local level. 
• Become well-versed in current affairs. 
• Stay adventurous. 
• See the world. 
• Confront your fears. 
• Try new things. 
• Seek the common good perspective. 
• Listen, observe, think, unlearn, learn, and write! 
• Look to nature as your guide.

Love each one of you,

Poppy