some thoughts about "OK Boomer" from a GenX perspective
honestly, given the reactions that the phrase "OK, Boomer" have been getting in the media, you'd think packs of teens have been systematically targeting elderly people for brutal street muggings or something. but, no... it's just a phrase, and a mild one at that. why is it so upsetting?
because it's not rebellious or confrontational, which are things older people are used to getting from younger people. it's straight-up *dismissive*. and it's not something we, GenX, the first-generation children of the Boomers, ever had the chance to express.
our rebellion was taken away, repackaged, and sold back to us when we were too young to know what it was for or why it could be powerful. we grew up feeling helpless and hopeless, trapped in a world where we had nothing meaningful to say and nothing useful to do because Doom was Nigh--the ozone layer, nuclear war, the Y2K bug, politicians that hated us sending us off to wars for blatant lies. Boomers got to have their Swinging 60s--we grew up under the specter of AIDS. we were isolated from each other, so we never realized that we weren't alone. and when we were finally able to get our own voice out into the popular culture, we spoke obliquely of isolation, depression, inward-turned knives.
re: some thoughts about "OK Boomer" from a GenX perspective
and when we did manage to rebel, it was seen as the usual childish rebellion against our parents. kids these days! it's a phase, we'll grow out of it and grow up to be just like the people who raised us.
but the kids these days... they have something magical: they have a voice, and the voice gives them power, and *they know it*.
their voices let them speak to each other about their world and the problems they see. it lets them look for solutions that aren't reliant on their parents or grandparents, not even for advice, not even for opinions. and make no mistake, they've noticed the *decade* of fucking "Millennials Ruined [X]" thinkpieces written by annoyed Boomers, the endless, relentless victim-blaming of slapping down the Kids These Days for the crappy situations they have to deal with and that they had nothing to do with creating.
this is Boomers reaping what they've sown. because this is Millenials saying "OK, Boomer... you've said your piece. we're aware of your opinion, we've heard your advice. now we're going to do *our own thing*. and you can keep talking all you want, but we're *doing* something. so why don't you have a nice big cup of sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up for a god damn change."
re: some thoughts about "OK Boomer" from a GenX perspective
it hurts because it's speaking truth to power. it hurts because Boomers have built a culture that looks to them as the wise ones, the gatekeepers, the elders with power, and the Kids These Days aren't playing the game right. it's not disrespectful or confrontational--it's a swerve, a dodge, taking a pass on the whole packaged cycle of obedience and rebellion.
and that's why it doesn't hurt their parents, us GenXers. I have to admit, if somebody said "OK Gloomer" (heeee) to me I'd have to shake my head, laugh a little, and say "yeah, you got me." we're used to being disregarded and silenced. we love you, our kids... but we know better than to try and take away your voice. even if we wanted to, we know we can't. we can give advice and support, and you can take it or leave it as you will. but you're the ones who are leading the charge to change the world right now. drive us to a brighter, better future, or drive us off a cliff... either way, we're proud of you.
OK, Millenials and Zoomers. you've got this. 💚
