By Larissa Martin
As of late, I hold listening to how this era and the longer term ones should not like earlier generations.
Folks say they’re too delicate about issues older generations are okay with. They’re upset that corporations like Quaker are eliminating Aunt Jemima from syrup bottles and Uncle Ben from rice due to racial stereotypes as a result of we’re too delicate.
However I consider that’s fully unfaithful.
As a millennial who has seen a variety of change through the years (some I like and agree with; others, I don’t), the adjustments made by these main manufacturers are a welcomed enchancment — they’re rewriting issues that older generations didn’t see or wish to change.
Some could say we’re revising and rewriting historical past simply because we are able to.
Right here’s the factor, although: With each new era, we’re extra conscious of issues and points from the previous. We’re simply fixing what really is a major problem. We’re not doing it for enjoyable or simply as a result of we wish to. We’re doing it as a result of it’s the precise factor to do.
I believe older generations declare we’re delicate as a result of they don’t wish to see and even acknowledge the issues that had been a problem after they had been rising up. In order that they double down on their viewpoints as an alternative of evolving and seeing the issues that earlier generations may need had.
To people who say their historical past is being rewritten and that there can be nothing left: What in regards to the Holocaust or World Warfare I? Numerous historic occasions haven’t been rewritten due to their significance.
Individuals who have points with generational change don’t wish to be compelled to reevaluate their views when given new proof that doubtlessly says that their views might, actually, be problematic. These folks aren’t keen to see totally different views apart from their very own.
Do I believe future generations are delicate? No.
What I believe is occurring is that older folks see youthful generations as delicate as a result of they don’t like being known as out and are proven how considering in a different way may gain advantage everybody.
I don’t simply assume individuals are afraid of us altering and evolving with the occasions. I consider it’s deeper than that. They’re afraid that every thing their era has labored for is being wiped away. In actuality, we’re calling out for change after we deem it vital.
Is it improper to evolve as a society and hold altering with the occasions or not? As a society, when folks don’t like what’s taking place, they return to the outdated saying: “Again in my day, issues had been totally different.” They’re caught within the mindset that issues had been higher again then. I get this mind-set.
However don’t you need different generations to expertise that for themselves? Whether or not meaning being extra inclusive for numerous marginalized teams or calling out racist behaviors, older generations want to grasp this.
We’re not erasing who they’re and the way they contributed to our world as we all know it. We’re simply holding them accountable for improper issues we’re now conscious of. So, we’re removed from delicate — that’s simply how self-awareness and evolution work.
Larissa Martin is a author and self-published creator whose work covers love, way of life, and popular culture subjects. She has had bylines featured on MSN, Yahoo Life-style, Thrive International, Thought Catalog, Mission Wednesday, The Minds Journal, and The Mighty.
This text was initially revealed at Unwritten. Reprinted with permission from the creator.