Guest column: Gen X Gen Y

Heath Perry / guest columnist

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Ihate generalizations. I don’t strongly dislike them. I can actually say that I positively, without a doubt, hate them. I hate generalizations about my generation, but what I hate most are generalizations about me.

I am a part of Generation Y, a generation that is defined as inexperienced, casual dressers with ink and/or piercings, only caring about job pay and benefits, completely dependent on our parents, skeptical, unable to accept being wrong. The list could go on.

Let’s go down the list: Inexperienced. I am young and I know it, but this means I am not afraid of asking questions. It’s better for me to ask questions than to waste time trying to figure it out on my own.

I am not a casual dresser with ink and/or piercings. For goodness sake, I don’t even have my ears pierced and I will never, I repeat never, get a tattoo. Please look in my closet: Skirts, dresses, blazers. I get dressed up when it’s appropriate.

No, I did not focus on pay and benefits when choosing my career path. If I did then I probably would not want to be a journalist. I would become a dentist or doctor. I chose journalism because it’s what I love to do.

I do depend on my parents right now, but do you blame me? I’m 17 years old and I’m still in high school. Now check up with me after college and it’s pathetic if I still do.

I am skeptical, and for good reasons. There has been more scamming, cheating, lying and exploiting than ever from major figures in the media during my time. This includes everyone from actors to the president.

I can accept being wrong, but I actually have to be wrong in the first place. I know that some of you Generation Xs are smiling right now, but hear me out. I’m not wrong unless I am 100 percent wrong and it’s not a matter of opinion.

Often times, I just have a different approach that you may not like or be familiar with. But when you say I’m “wrong,” I’ll adjust to what you want because I realize that in 10 to 20 years I could be in your shoes, but I have to work my way to get where I want to be.

I think it’s kind of funny though. Generations before me blame my generation for being impatient and blunt but you raised us. We are this way for a reason. We did not decide one day to go “Poof, let’s be impatient, blunt, etc.”

Generation X: What you fail to realize is that Generation Y has more to offer than what you have mistakenly expected. I would love for you to remember entering the workplace when baby boomers were in control. Here’s what they thought of you: Lazy, apathetic and unappreciative. Am I bringing back some memories now? You were labeled as lost, spoiled, centered on yourself, etc. Hey, your list is long too.

What you forget is that Generation Y is now in the same place that you were in many years ago. You make the same generalizations against us that were once set forth upon you. Our way is not bad, it’s just different.

Have the decency to get to know us before you judge us.

Heather Perry is a proud senior at Rogers High School, a volleyball player with a six-inch surgical scar on her ankle and a teen who doesn’t always text on her cell phone.