To The Editor,

Receiving a Facebook video from my grandmother, bashing millennials for 20 minutes straight was truly something spectacular. It had some real goodies in there for sure, let me tell you. “The Millennial Question” described those born from 1982-2004 as entitled, narcissistic, unfocused, and lazy, yet failed to recognize that we aren’t identical. Considering there are about 10 million of us in Canada, we all have our own thoughts, values, and differences. Sure, some may be entitled or lazy, (not going to name names) but generalizing an entire population seems a bit inconsiderate. When I say “Baby Boomers caused countless issues in society” I certainly don’t mean every single soul born from 1946 to 1964. There are always some bad eggs, no matter where you look.

Some of the stereotypes about millennials are just borderline hilarious. “Those pesky millennials are killing the napkin industry!” or my personal favourite, “Millennials are killing the McWrap!”( via Eater.com) Like, what? (Also I had one yesterday; quite delicious, I must add.) However, some of the assumptions are quite on the dot. Sure we enjoy a meme or two here and there. And sure, we’re addicted to our phones but hate to break it to you, it’s 2019. Who isn’t on their phones? In fact, a Nielsen report shows that generation X, those born between 1960 and 1980 actually use their phones more often than the typical avocado-toast-eating millennial.

In all seriousness, affordable housing, affordable  healthcare, debt-free education and social security are all things that Millennials can only fantasize about. The Baby Boomers had a rich, dynamic country and have gradually bankrupted it. They routinely cut their own taxes and borrow cash with no concern for future burdens. They’ve just about spent all our money and assets on themselves and left an economic ruin for their children. As of today, Canada is approximately $600 billion in debt and counting. (TaxPayer.com) $600 billion dollars that future generations have to deal with.

Now that I think about it, I will never retire.

Given rising rent and housing prices along with the outrageous student loan debt ($27,000 on average), I will undoubtedly be working for the rest of my life. Student loans became available in the 60’s, but students had little to no student debt after they graduated. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case today.

Environmental destruction is also something that the “me me me” generation has to worry about in the future. Past generations have single-handedly ruined the very planet we call home and do little to nothing to try to somewhat reverse their actions. Significant ecological harm was caused under the watch of people born after WW2, with the results now starting to be felt. The majority of politicians opposed to action on environmental change are Baby Boomers, and it will be the millennial age which will bear the cost of this idleness. The sole fact that some world leaders don’t believe the gravity of global warming truly baffles me. Donald Trump, the current president of the United States stated, on multiple occasions, that he does not believe in climate change. Considering the amount of power this single, tiny-handed man has, makes it even more frightening. He has the power to make a difference. Yet, Donnie does nothing (except golf, of course).    

Millennials, who have been raised in a multicultural society simply aren’t as nationalistic nor religious as past generations. We care about societal issues. From LGBTQ+ rights to civil and political rights. Turn on your TV. You will see marches, protests, and individual millennial creators doing what they do best, project change. I wouldn’t call the survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, marching for stricter gun laws in America lazy. Or Malala Yousafzai, humanitarian hero selfish? Would you, Grandma?  

Jaden Kay,
St-André-d’Argenteuil, Québec