As a 21-year-old student enrolled in full-time coursework, running one small business and starting another, I feel like I am on my way to having my place in the world. As a member of the local entrepreneur center, I am surrounded by those who are also determined to succeed. As I immerse myself in that environment, I have trouble understanding the negativity associated with our generation. Don't take this the wrong way. I know that racism, sexism and other social injustices still exist in our country.
Our generation is the first to make great strides in being accepting of each other.
Our generation is the most educated per capita of any coming before us.
Our generation asks the important questions, and it pisses our elders off.
The baby boomers are confused by us and Generation X is making a science of selling stuff to us. The books are running rampant. Suits like Pritham Singh and Bruce Tulgan are writing books with titles such as “Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage the Millennials.” While I am a nasty conservative who has a beef with the political correctness concept, I am offended. "Manage the Millennials." Seriously? As if we are child actors in need of a handler. If these stereotypes were made publicly about a particular race or religion, there would be riots.
In my midst, I have one friend (younger than me) who is a successful photographer. I am surrounded by Odyssey writers and staff who are passionate about writing and sharing their thoughts with the public. Every day in my own business as a professional brand consultant I get to work with startups in Nashville, often run by people of the current generation. Our power is endless. You can try to manage us if you like, but we are likely to tell you to go to hell. We can change the world with or without you. It would behoove you to hear our voices, but if not, we will just make our own thing and do it better.
To my millennial friends, THIS is something to be pissed off about. Without getting political, choose your battles. In the next election, consider the long term. Whether they like it or not, we are generation now (a name I like a lot better than millennial). Consider the fact that until we get ourselves figured out, we will be running our own businesses. Vote accordingly. And to those who are writing books on millennials, how about writing it for managers who want to take advantage of our many skills and perspectives rather than figuring out how to fit us in your tiny little box.
