It makes most sense to me to affirm the efforts and commitments of each
generation to the hopes and realities of our world. As my
grandparents and parents before me, so my children and grandchildren
beyond me. There is a deep history--the contingencies, dispositions,
limitations, and possibilities of each vantage in time--to be understood,
or at least imagined, quite a challenge for a society so occupied with the
"now", if we are to walk purposefully into our future. Why cast stones
at anyone within our house? The generations are my family, make me. How
can I come to better know what each of them sought to contribute to the
making of a better world from the place where they stood, will stand?
On Fri, 1 Mar 1996, Miriam Weinstein wrote:
> I would like to take a moment to respond to the post about the
> ME generation. I assume many others besides myself on the list
> fall into this so-called category. I find the pejorative nature
> of this term most interesting - since it does come from the
> generation before us - those parents against whom we were
> rebelling in the 1960's for their shallow self-centered realities.
> That generation, and not ours, is the one which has opted out of
> interest in the common and international good. That generation is the
> one which concerns itself soley with their own security -everyone
> else be damned. That generation moves to Florida, Arizona et al to
> go bowling and boating, and leaving their children and communities
> to go it alone.
>
> and that generation votes against funding for schools, and libraries -
> whle wanting to live forever no matter what the expense. Those of us
> in the so called ME generation - have been at the forefront of the fight
> for social justice and the environment. And yeah - some of us realized
> you have to nurture yourself if you want to have something to give.
>
> So please, be more careful with your characterizations! We may not go
> bowling, but we do belong to environmental groups - and I understand
> what Putnam is saying about the lack of the face to face nature of these
> groups - but engaged we are! It is our children who are doing community
> service in record numbers! And are we ever glad!!! Now, if we could
> just get the media to notice and stop portraying this generation the
> way they do on Ricki Lake, Springer, Montel et al.
>
> Let's also remember that no matter how civic minded we are as individuals,
> and no matter how much community service we do, the system is more
> insidious than ever. Clean up the communities around the refinery! Sure,
> why would the refinery care? It's just less problems for them. We need
> to make sure that with the engagement in service, students see that
> the feel good experience is not enough - not to denigrate what they are
> doing - it is good, valuable work - and I support it wholeheartedly. It
> just should not become an excuse for complacency in the larger picture.
>
>
>
> *******************************************************
> Miriam Weinstein Making A Difference College Guide
> Internet: sageworks@igc.apc.org SageWorks Press
> Phone: +1 (415) 258-9924 POB 150488
> Fax: +1 (415) 258-9924 San Rafael, CA 94915-0488
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