The way you draw parallels between different generations' experiences, from World War II and the Cold War to Vietnam and political turmoil, is thought-provoking. Your words remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the responsibility we have to prepare the next generation even as we navigate this painful and uncertain world. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking piece.
I have been thinking about this today. I have to say that for me, after 60 years of life, nothing changed my personal day to day life more than the pandemic so I empathize with those kids. I can’t even imagine that happening to me as a teenager. All the other events were of note but the second most impactful event of my life was waking up after Election Day 2016 and feeling a sick sense of dread that has never left. It was the day I realized that all I believed about my country was not true.
This was very thought provoking... thank you for your article. I don't think I have ever thought about how each generation might not realize the importance of previous "events" we as an older generation feel strongly about. I would maybe think the thoughts of importance may be felt for two generations at once... the adults of that event, and their children. The grandchildren would not have the same feeling in my opinion. I grew up listening to the stories about World War II from my grandparents and the effect it had on my parents. That is the reason I say the previous thought about a two-generation feeling of importance. Then mine went through the assassination of Kennedy and Vietnam... my parents were still alive and so they did as well. My children wouldn't place the same importance on those two events except from my stories.... and on and on through the next generations.
I have been wanting an update to We Didn't Start the Fire since the GWB era! This one is pretty good! And also, your essay is really on point and goes well with Beth's essay in the Pantsuit Politics newsletter today, too.
This post offers incredible perspective! I'd never thought about what kids born after 9-11 would think about the event. I suppose it would seem less significant to them in light of a global pandemic.
The way you draw parallels between different generations' experiences, from World War II and the Cold War to Vietnam and political turmoil, is thought-provoking. Your words remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the responsibility we have to prepare the next generation even as we navigate this painful and uncertain world. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking piece.
I have been thinking about this today. I have to say that for me, after 60 years of life, nothing changed my personal day to day life more than the pandemic so I empathize with those kids. I can’t even imagine that happening to me as a teenager. All the other events were of note but the second most impactful event of my life was waking up after Election Day 2016 and feeling a sick sense of dread that has never left. It was the day I realized that all I believed about my country was not true.
This was very thought provoking... thank you for your article. I don't think I have ever thought about how each generation might not realize the importance of previous "events" we as an older generation feel strongly about. I would maybe think the thoughts of importance may be felt for two generations at once... the adults of that event, and their children. The grandchildren would not have the same feeling in my opinion. I grew up listening to the stories about World War II from my grandparents and the effect it had on my parents. That is the reason I say the previous thought about a two-generation feeling of importance. Then mine went through the assassination of Kennedy and Vietnam... my parents were still alive and so they did as well. My children wouldn't place the same importance on those two events except from my stories.... and on and on through the next generations.
I have been wanting an update to We Didn't Start the Fire since the GWB era! This one is pretty good! And also, your essay is really on point and goes well with Beth's essay in the Pantsuit Politics newsletter today, too.
This post offers incredible perspective! I'd never thought about what kids born after 9-11 would think about the event. I suppose it would seem less significant to them in light of a global pandemic.