I come from a generation that I never really fit in to. The blatant disrespect for authority, the disobedience towards parental figures, the overall disregard for those around them, it is all used to describe my generation. I honestly do not know when we gained the title, but I can understand why the population generalizes us as such. As I write this, I am listening to a kid (who is about seventeen years old) spout of about how dumb society is while carelessly including the “f-bomb” after every two or so words. I just kind of listened and shook my head as he blabbed on for everyone in McDonalds to hear. Not even two minutes after he began, a group of high school aged teens walked in. A super sweet lady that was cleaning the tables greeted them. They simply stared at their phones and kept going about their business, COMPLETELY neglecting to acknowledge or thank the woman who spoke to them.

So, here is what I want to say to those in my generation (and the one just younger than I) that want to act like that: THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU. There are people in the world who are seriously hurting. There are people your age just wishing that they could go to school, have a phone, have friends, and even be talked to. You know what, would it kill you to be kind every once and a while? Care about someone other than yourself for a change and maybe you will stop seeing the world as a place you would rather not be. Why don’t you pick up your own trash for a change? Why don’t you stop treating people like they are so much lower than yourself? Stop acting like the world owes you something. Your parents, your teachers, your co-workers, they do not owe you anything. To add to that, stop treating authority like it does not apply to you. Most of the time, the people speaking truth and discipline into your life are trying to save you something so much bigger than yourself, but because you’re too immature to see that, you think they are just trying to ruin your life.

Now, some of you are probably offended (surprise, surprise). If you are offended because the things above are not traits that describe you, then this next part is for you. You should be offended by your generation. I know I am. You should be offended so much that you start to make a difference. You have the power to change the perception of your generation just by being who you are. Stop hiding and letting people just assume that we are a hopeless generation. Start giving a care! Greet the people around you, open doors for people, get off your stinking phone and have a real conversation with those in front of you! If you are tired of it, CHANGE IT. Seriously, what is stopping you from making a difference? You do not need to conquer countries or be on the T.V. to make a difference. There is not one person who will stop you from bettering the world. When you grow and have children of your own, teach them to care for others. You can make a difference. Do not let people just assume that you are like that. Do not let those people have that kind of power against you or your generation. Step up and get to work; you’ve got a title to change.