The Next Great Generation

According to a July article in the New York Times, the Millennials surpassed the Baby Boomers in numbers. This is important news to everyone – especially the Baby Boomers – who throughout their lives have always been the largest demographic group as well as  the dominant one. Baby Boomers are now retired and living on Social Security and Medicare. They have the opportunity to make an impact on their community and the planet. They are still relatively young and capable of action and change.

I believe Boomers must embrace their children’s (Millennials) beliefs and lifestyle. If we believe that generations repeat again, then it makes good sense to look at each generation and its characteristics. In Millennials Rising: the Next Great Generation, William Strauss and Neil Howe identify the characteristics which depict this generation as “special, sheltered, confident, team-oriented, conventional, pressured, and achieving.” It is important for Boomers to embrace their children’s generation, so they can learn and accept. 

Recently I spent a brief time in Pittsburgh – the city near where I grew up as a child. It was exciting to see Carnegie Mellon – always an excellent school – now a model of the future. We also saw a self-driving Uber and new neighborhoods in the Hill District. It made me pleased and proud to see that coal and steel had been replaced with medicine, technology and a bright future for many. College grads are choosing to stay in the city. Strauss and Howe call the Millennials the “Civic Generation” because they will dominate through rebuilding the outer world of technology and creating new institutions. Let us hope they also focus on more affordable housing, quality education and better jobs for all.

It has been an extremely difficult week and we must do everything to counter hate and fear. I  leave you with a photo of a friend from my church in NYC – St. Luke in the Fields in Greenwich Village – marching for peace in 3 hours of heat.  I think this image expresses our hope for Charlottesville, Barcelona and the world – Love not hate – a sign all generations can embrace.