If I were labeled a Millennial I would be pissed off

Is there such a thing as "generational racism?"  

I think we are actually seeing it, first-hand, today.  They now have seminars on Millennials, write articles on how to employ them, what they need to feel happy or content, describe their work values or other random crap.  The pictures of “this group” are embarrassing because they are all the same. And, have you ever seen most of the people who write about Millennials?  They are from another generation or, in short, old.

I am 42 and from what “someone” labeled "Generation-X.” Being labeled always got on my nerves.  In my era, we saw grunge rock & gangsta rap (another form of labeling) change how we buy records and have parents screaming from the rooftops that these groups would change our very foundation. But, we loved it.  We were labeled as non-conformists or not people who would fit into the corporate culture because we did not respect authority and wanted more.  We were educated and asked questions when other generations did not.  "Just do it," was not good enough.  But, something interesting happened.  Generation-X brought rebellion; Rebellion in music, literature, entrepreneurialism, & technology.  We "Rocked The Vote" in 1992 and learned we had a voice and could impact our elected officials.  We learned education was important.  We showed the world what we could do and, to be brutal, eventually hired the generations before us who said we were a problem with society.  And, now, my generation (and the ones who picked on us when we were young) wants to criticize someone because they are labeled a Millennial?  Last time I checked, the term "slacker" belonged to my generation (Gen-X) so I really do not want someone else getting that label; it is mine and yes, we were.

If I were labeled a "Millennial" I would be a bit pissed yet, honestly, a bit honored.  They hold seminars, publish books, teach workshops, and do everything in the world to understand the future leaders of our world because it is too easy to label a generation and not simply realize a few things like they are quick (Ever seen a 20 year old on an iPhone?), and want more because they have seen it (Look at some of the founders of companies today!).  They are educated and they have things nobody in any previous generation had (like the internet and mobile). They have seen what people can do before them and want that but, truthfully, can sometimes do it faster.

Idiots say, "Millennials are entitled," or "Millennials want to get paid more but do not want to work for it," or "Millennials are a product of lack of competition or the understanding of work ethic."  Where in the heck did that come?  

Compared to my parents, I was definitely entitled.  I did not have to, "eat a cold biscuit, walking to school, uphill (both ways), in the snow, barefoot," so I will never understand the difference.  My parents were entitled.  They were not part of the "Greatest Generation" that led us out of a Depression, fought the largest war in mankind's history, and led us to the moon.

To all of you "labeled" Millennials out there, I have one great piece of advice for you - They can kiss your ass.  From one generation to another, you should keep doing what you do and when labeled a "Millennial," always remember you were not part of the Disco era or the inventors of parachute pants (That should rank "Baby Boomers" at the bottom of the list, alone.)  You are the founders of companies that are changing our lives today (Ever seen a 60 year old develop an APP?), still serve in the military, etc. You are the future and any employer who EVEN SLIGHTLY mentions the word "Millennial" should be immediately off your list because you are “labeled” and they already know, in their ignorant minds, how you operate.  Like I said, at the beginning, "Is there such a thing as generational racism?"

To everyone who wants to publish posts about Millennials, I have one piece of advice for you; think back to your formative years and when you were coming up in the world.  Do you remember Hippies?  Disco?  Do you remember Nirvana?  Do you remember NWA?  Didn't Elvis get filmed from the waste up on The Ed Sullivan Show to not show his pelvis, while thousands of girls were screaming and fainting, because of the sexual overtones?  Didn’t the generation from the lavish lifestyle of the 1920’s produce The Great Depression?

In fact, I would recommend you take a look at Millennials.  They have a social conscience; they care about things like equal rights, the environment, and want to give more to society (vs. take), outside of our veterans, than any other before them. They know technology and that scares people because they can do an average task in 1/10 the time of the average person from an older generation.

Of course they want more. Didn’t you?