We all can recall numerous times when we’ve heard that our generation is the worst. Millennials are supposedly entitled, lazy, and soft. We don’t know what hard work and loyalty are and more. It can be disheartening hearing time and time again how bad we are at everything. It can really bring you down, but there are some things I’d like to point out. I think our generation is great, and I believe that for many reasons. So don’t listen to the hurt and hate, listen to the many reasons to celebrate the people we have come to be.

Our generation grew up still getting spankings and being grounded without our phones/technology. We all have been extremely involved in activities inside and outside of school since we were just tots. We have worked jobs since we were twelve years old, from mowing our neighbors’ yards to fast food restaurants. (That is not different than our older generations, but it is to say that we still know the value of work.) We were not handed everything like our younger siblings and we fought to have our voices heard in the classroom. We work hard to get the subjects we need in our classrooms and that will help us get ahead for our college careers. Millennials are innovative, creative, quick thinkers who are constantly coming up with bigger and bolder ideas. We are helping to solve some of the world’s greatest problems in new and exciting ways.

We are not soft for complaining about inequality in places that matter to us, whether the workplace, our athletic teams, or other places that matter to us. We have grown up in even more diverse communities and have grown close to those who are different than ourselves. We have learned to celebrate the variances and similarities that our friends and neighbors have because they add something special. We complain, protest, and leave our jobs because we no longer want to put up with mediocrity. We have no desire to settle and accept the status quo. We want the best and we feel that we deserve it. If we are going to be in debt for 40-50 years of our lives (because of a degrees we have to get to survive and provide), we deserve to get the benefits and pay to be able to take care of myself and those we care for. We are valuable assets to our teams and organizations. Therefore, we deserve to be acknowledged and appreciated.

Our generation cares for one another. We are not narrow-minded hard-heads who are set in our ways. Millennials understand that as times change, we have to adjust and be more accepting. Our ways and environments are moving and we must meet the needs of those. We want everyone to feel loved and heard because it is through that we grow for the better. Our generation understands that through listening to others comes respecting and tolerance, and in a world that is falling apart because of hatred and silence, we need more of that. Millennials use technology to bring light to injustice, and use our talents to help create movements. We crowdfund for victims of tragedy. Our communities work to create campaigns to help stop victim blaming. We do that and so much more. It’s not that we are soft and whiny, we just no longer tolerate how things used to be.

So, to our elders, we are the world changers and we will all be providing for you. Our generation is the one continuing the legacy that you have passed on to us. Our global community does appreciate all that you have given us. We are grateful, but do not forget who brought us to this place. We were handed the world in its broken form and we are the ones who are expected to fix it. So let us do our work, let us do our best to make it a better place. You may not like the way we do things, but we haven’t always agreed with you either. Our generations must cooperate to make things right. We must be open, honest, and communicate. When we are able bring those together, we will be able to move our country, and world, in the right direction. Don’t discredit us before we get the chance to really do our work. And don’t assume just because you see more of the bad eggs, that there aren’t twice as many of the good ones.

So millennials, don’t give up hope and don’t listen to the smack talk. We are good and we have a lot to offer. Continue to be big, bold, fighters. Continue to grow and never ignore the chance to learn. Respect your elders and look to the past to learn from its mistakes. Work hard to move our world in the right direction. Never forget that there are so many reasons to love the people we are.