HOw we view ourselves...
*Note: These are the responses given when students were asked “What adjectives define your generation?” They are color-coded based off their connotation (red=negative, yellow=neutral, green=positive) and sized according to how often they were given (i.e. the larger the font, the more times that adjective was mentioned)
Vs. How others view us.
*Note: These are the responses given when adults were asked “What adjectives define the younger generation?” They are color-coded based off their connotation (red=negative, yellow=neutral, green=positive) and sized according to how often they were given (i.e. the larger the font, the more times that adjective was mentioned)
Ignorant?
Found Artifact #2: Video, "Lunch Scholars"
This video is of a high schooler asking his fellow classmates basic questions and getting some surprising answers. |
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Over-PRIVILEGED?
Found Artifact #1: Cartoon by Matt Bors
This cartoon depicts a stereotype that arises from the age gap between MIllennials and Generation Y. Much of the older generation believes that Millennials are simply handed too much, while many Millennials are suffering from a high cost of education that Generation Y didn't have to face. |
Original Artifact #9: Visual Analysis of cartoon by Matt Bors
Water carefully laps in the background as a retired couple drinks aged, red wine and does what retired people do best: they complain. This cartoon, drawn by Matt Bors, highlights the effect that an age gap can have on people’s perceptions, specifically between Generation Y and the Millennials. Issues such as hypocrisy and misconceptions are illustrated in this drawing through the use of irony and symbolism.
The trophy is an obvious example of symbolism in this piece and the main source of irony. The elderly couple is complaining that the younger generation is over-indulged when it comes to praise. They bring up the common complaint that Millennials are a generation of narcissistic slackers who need constant gratification. However, Bors uses the image of the trophy, inscribed with “one trillion dollars in student loan debt,” as a way of displaying the true mark of Millennials-- having to pay an unprecedented price for education. This not only invalidates the elderly couple’s claim that young people are unmotivated to achieve, given their willingness to sacrifice financial security for education, but gives the impression that perhaps Generation Y is more out of touch than they realize.
Another important part of this cartoon is the subjects themselves. The elderly couple, despite being obviously disgusted with the younger generation, seems relatively relaxed. They are wearing comfortable clothes, eating a nice meal with what appears to be red wine, and sitting beside a peaceful body of water. The juxtaposition of this idyllic retirement scene with the crying, stressed girl on top of the trophy illustrates the difference in attitudes between generations. While Generation Y certainly had their struggles, it was no where near the constant pressure of having to take out student loans in order to get a decent education. The cycle of higher education-- take out enormous loans to go to a good school to get a good job to pay off your loans-- is something that the older generation has simply never experienced. Overall, Matt Bors does a great job in summarizing the key issue in Millennial stereotyping. The older generation has never gone through these struggles; therefore, they have no right to judge the younger generation.
The trophy is an obvious example of symbolism in this piece and the main source of irony. The elderly couple is complaining that the younger generation is over-indulged when it comes to praise. They bring up the common complaint that Millennials are a generation of narcissistic slackers who need constant gratification. However, Bors uses the image of the trophy, inscribed with “one trillion dollars in student loan debt,” as a way of displaying the true mark of Millennials-- having to pay an unprecedented price for education. This not only invalidates the elderly couple’s claim that young people are unmotivated to achieve, given their willingness to sacrifice financial security for education, but gives the impression that perhaps Generation Y is more out of touch than they realize.
Another important part of this cartoon is the subjects themselves. The elderly couple, despite being obviously disgusted with the younger generation, seems relatively relaxed. They are wearing comfortable clothes, eating a nice meal with what appears to be red wine, and sitting beside a peaceful body of water. The juxtaposition of this idyllic retirement scene with the crying, stressed girl on top of the trophy illustrates the difference in attitudes between generations. While Generation Y certainly had their struggles, it was no where near the constant pressure of having to take out student loans in order to get a decent education. The cycle of higher education-- take out enormous loans to go to a good school to get a good job to pay off your loans-- is something that the older generation has simply never experienced. Overall, Matt Bors does a great job in summarizing the key issue in Millennial stereotyping. The older generation has never gone through these struggles; therefore, they have no right to judge the younger generation.
A Day in the Life of the Over-privileged Millennial
The alarm clock screams Too early, too early The bus is late Too slow, too slow The halls are crowded Too loud, too loud The lights are blinding Too bright, too bright The notes never end Too much, too much The test is next class Too soon, too soon The grades are here Not good enough. |
Original Artifact #7: Poem
This poem illustrates a typical day for a high schooler. It's short lines and choppy wording are meant to give feelings of stress similar to that of a student. Throughout the poem, every other line says that something is "too much," a reference to how young people feel pressure and emotions on a heightened level. In the end, all of this effort and work proves to be "not good enough" when the grade comes back; showing the lack of satisfaction of Millennials as they are judged on grades as opposed to personal achievement. |
Tolerant?
Found Artifact #2: Video, Racial chants at University of Oklahoma
This video captures a recent event where some frat brothers chant an outdated and racist song on a bus. This directly contradicts the stereotype that Millennials are a more tolerant generation as a whole. |
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