“Okay, Boomer”
As the “Okay Boomer” meme becomes the newest internet sensation, there has been a lot of backlash from the older generation. Some baby boomers (those born between the years of 1946 and 1964) claim that using this term is ageist and poses questions of discrimination according to an article on Vox, but younger generations are nothing but fired up. According to NPR podcast ‘Ok Boomer:’ Apathy, Anger And A Viral Meme,” the rivalry between boomers and millennials has been an ongoing generational fight, but now Gen. Z is being caught up in the storm as they too begin to enter the job market. Ever since the Great Recession, younger generations have had to face a lot more economic issues than boomers did, and youngsters are tired of being called lazy just because they are unable to pay off student debt or afford housing. Boomers are set in this belief that in order to succeed, you bootstrap your way to success, and that just isn’t the reality anymore.
On top of the economic inequality between the generations, millennials and Gen Z are realizing that they are forced to clean up the messes of the older generations, from financial to global disasters. According to an opinion article by reason, boomers have been enjoying mocking the younger generation for issues around mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, or for having too many tattoos with disgustingly dyed hair and listening to bad music.
According to an interview with Shannon Connor in The New York Times, “The older generations grew up with a certain mindset, and we have a different perspective,” Ms. O’Connor said. “A lot of them don’t believe in climate change or don’t believe people can get jobs with dyed hair, and a lot of them are stubborn in that view. Teenagers just respond, ‘Ok, boomer.’ It’s like, we’ll prove you wrong, we’re still going to be successful because the world is changing.” What we’re witnessing is the final breaking point of the younger generations as they get fed up with the accosting remarks of the older generation. It’s interesting because instead of arguing back, the youth have collectively decided to verbally wave off boomers. It’s great to see kids realize that nothing upsets boomers like dismissing them the way they dismiss anyone younger than themselves.
To be honest, I would rather be accused of killing the Chili’s and Applebee’s food chains than be responsible for causing the demise of the planet but #OkayBoomer.
Lauren Carvalho is now a senior at Boulder High. While she likes Boulder High, she's never found a club or sport she was truly interested in pursuing in school. Lauren chose to join The Owl staff because she believes it is a great way to get involved with the Boulder High community, and journalism has always interested her. She is a great problem solver and thinks on her feet, so she will be a great addition to The Owl staff. When not at school, Lauren enjoys many typical teenage activities, such as listening to music, binging Netflix, and hanging out with friends. However, her true passion is for medicine. Over summer break, she attended the Johns Hopkins Student Ambassador program, and from...
