Jonathan Faia Guest Columnist for the Champion Newspaper - Has Gen X become boomers?
It’s often been said that every generation will eventually become what they once rebelled against, and I’m beginning to wonder if my generation has become the modern “Boomer.” Generation X came of age denying authority, providing the world an open mindedness beyond previous generations and were often characterized in the media as having a “slacker” attitude. We were the generation that was forgotten, forced to manage our own maturation process with a key tied around our neck, or hidden under the mat while both parents spent the days working, contributing to the Reagan utopia that was the United States. We were a relatively small generation of about 65 million tucked between two demographic powerhouses in the Baby Boomers and the Millennials, but that’s okay because Gen X has had a ton of experience being overlooked.
Gen X grew up in an era defined by MTV, embracing a sense of skepticism and cynicism toward traditional values and institutions. We came of age in a time of economic uncertainty, the Cold War and political instability which bred a true sense of self-reliance. While we were raised to see the social relevance of the Baby Boomers as idealists, we in turn became the disaffected realists the world wasn’t ready for. So, for someone like me who still feels like that realist, I completely balk at the idea of transitioning into an elder statesperson. I am not ready to give up Pearl Jam for Frank Sinatra, let alone shorts for khakis and dad shoes.
I’m not delusional though. As much as I try to stay in tune with contemporary music, books, and the world I realize I’m middle aged. Like many of my flannel wearing brethren we are becoming the establishment, the new “Boomers.” Hip-Hop is half a century old now and the people we looked up to are trading in a photo shoot for Rolling Stone magazine for the AARP magazine cover. Kurt Cobain’s daughter just had a baby with Tony Hawk’s son for goodness sake. We are officially old whether we’d like to admit it or not. I haven’t picked up my guitar in years and my Chuck Taylors hurt my feet now so forgive me, but it’s a confusing time. I know I can’t be the only person struggling with relating to coworkers that could be my children.
I am happy to say though just as the “Boomers” held on to their cultural markers from classic rock to Woodstock nostalgia, we find ourselves clinging to everything from our style defining pop culture to the music that defined our youth. They’ll never take our Beverly Hills 90210 and is there any hip-hop that is better than 90s hip-hop? I don’t think so. Though change is inevitable, please indulge me when I lament over my preference for creating mix tapes over Spotify playlists or my old man complaints about not understanding Tik Tok.
I think every generation comes of age thinking their predecessors will never understand the complexities of their lives. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Boomer, Gen X, Millennial or now Gen Z. Instead of focusing on how we differ, we should be looking to find ways to relate to each other. Eventually, every generation will grow into the establishment they once resisted. The key is to remember how to be intentional enough to recognize how you treat the generations to follow.
I’ll leave you with this. I recently re-read Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman and while Whitman explored the richness of human life, he also highlighted the boundless potential of the collective. He saw all individuals as equally valuable regardless of class, race or background. We are all in various stages of evolution but one thing is certain: we can be united in our boundless potential as a collective.
