Another brilliant essay. So much perspective and wisdom here. One thing I do think is overlooked is the influence of such writers as Judith Butler, Gayle Rubin, Kimberle Crenshaw. Millennials and Gen Z have the works of postmodern feminists to thank for their discontent with the hard-won progress made by Gen X. And as a Gen Xer myself, I can say it was easy to get complacent about the seeds of discontent being sown in university settings. I didn't realize it was happening at the time, but even if I had, I'm sure it would have seemed like petty rantings of greedy minorities (whether skin color or sexual preference as the two main categories being highlighted) wanting ever more recognition and, as it turns out, retribution. Well, they've gotten it, sadly. To the detriment of everyone except for a vanishingly small percentage of the ultra-wealthy who will always prosper form dissent and division.
Your writing is so important and spot on. Thank you.
I'm a generation ahead of you and really enjoyed your insightful essay. I observed the same as you. In the 1970s-1980s academic/government environments that I was in, affirmative action was followed but never did I or anyone I know look at the minorities who may have benefited from this as being "less than" or unqualified. I was passed over one promotion in the 1980s by a Black but I held no grudge as she was sharp in our field and I knew my turn would come up soon (which it did).
I must confess that nowadays, seeing what's happened since, that I usually wonder or question the qualifications of minorities who are in positions of power or influence. This is mainly after seeing standards be eliminated, lowered or ignored, and some who obviously didn't deserve the position.
I wish that the "straddling" Gen X had more influence to push back against what's happening. Essays like yours are encouraging to see.
I appreciate someone being a voice for our oft forgotten generation. I am the product of an 80s public school education and much of what you write resonates with my memories of the way I thought things seemed to be, relationally and sociologically speaking. I was beginning to doubt my memories. Thanks for reassuring and reminding us that Gen X wasn’t just The Breakfast Club.
Well thought out and written. If only the following generations would look back at history and consider older people a resource of that history. I moved to Dallas in 1967 and was taking newspapers off hangers in the closet and started reading the want ads. Since I came from a northern small town in Illinois where segregated facilities did not exist, I saw colored apartments advertised and in my ignorance wondered why building in colors would be advertised as such. I really imagined pink and blue buildings until my brain turned on. However, I never did see labeled water fountains in that town.
Monica, I always enjoy reading your articles. You are able to articulate what a lot of us are thinking but can’t put into words. Born in the US in 1963, much of how I experienced the world matched yours and Michael S growing up. I don’t always comment but I want you to know that I am sincerely grateful for you and your hard work! Your voice is so needed in this crazy upside down world we are currently living in!
"Our vision of diversity in America was advanced enough to reject the bigotries of the past, but not so unrooted from America’s historical reality as to lend itself to ideological extremes. "
It is not limited to America. The sense of history has been partly lost here in Europe. I grew up with veterans from WWI and WWII. I do have a bound with history. The younger generation is unawre of this complex reality.
I greatly appreciate your perspective Monica! I wonder if us GenXers were busy raising families and now coming out of that fog are waking up to what has happened to our society? I remember the time you described and am so glad to hear voices like yours writing about it. I really enjoyed your conversation with Michael Shellenberger too. I think with many of the issues we are facing, we need more from our generation to step up and right the ship!
As a female boomer, I remember the days when it didn't matter how good one was at the job, the old affirmative action was at play. For every Bakke there were an untold number of people like my sister applying to medical school in the late 70's, one who also had scores above the average but was the incorrect sex. There were and are plenty of intelligent people, qualified if you will, in careers and many of those people are white males. But there were also white males who were kept employed to keep employed. That was then and this is now. We went through a period of rapid change and now we've come full circle with other "groups" looking to frog hop over others. I hope to see the day when people are willing to step out of their (race/sex) clique membership and start seeing others, regardless of race and sex, with similar education, training and skills as more "like them," as you pointed out when speaking to the group of teachers. Many only get incensed when some injustice is done to a race/sex clique member. Would Bakke fell any kinship to my sister, or does he only see injustice when it happens to a white male? I can't speak for him but that is the sticking point we are still having trouble getting past. In my view, any boomer feminist should be up in arms over the lack of due process on college campuses for males accused of rape. I remember when it was common to see a character attack on any alleged female rape victim. I believe attaining justice in the courts was rare "back in the day." Now I see a revenge plot and I don't like it any better than when it was directed at females. A similar thing has happened to me several times when a male has brought up a custody battle. I let him know I understand because I was in a long, vicious custody battle, but each time I get hostility and he will retreat to his stance that males are always the victim in a custody battle. I'm past trying to break through those gripped by the victimhood mentality and who spend time looking around for examples to reinforce that worldview and ignoring anything that contradicts, no matter the sex or skin color of the "victim."
"victimhood mentality" has killed emancipation. The conflict between millenials and boomers will fade as boomers are going now 80 and over, hence losing the battle. A new conflict will emerge between Xers and the youngers, and we shall be ready to lose this too...The latest genenration will always be right. What can we do then? We can end nicely!
What we have in common is so much more than what divides us - it's a shame we focus so much on arguing about the latter and so little enjoying and celebrating the former.
I spotted good old Barry in the back row before I read the caption. HA!
"See if you can spot me in the photo above."
- I think that you are the woman on the left, second row down, denim jacket, white top.
I have read so many books since I read your Illusion of Division. Each book lead to the other and I have even more that I need to read. It's overwhelming.
The book that shocked me the most was the one about Obama.
BTW, I'm watching the Godzilla series of movies, starting with the new ones from 2014, just to give myself perspective. Something different from the horrors of reality that I am reading about.
I'll go finish watching Godzilla: King of the Monsters now, then get back to reading the books.
Sorry guy, but Zimmerman's lawsuit have been dismissed:
"January 28, 2022 - The $100 million lawsuit against Martin's parents and others filed by Zimmerman is dismissed with prejudice in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit Court, Leon County."
Monica is a respectable friend she don't deserve comparison with Joel Gilbert.
Concerning the website of Scott McKay, there is a legitimate concern about it's cookie policy. I took the time to screen capture those linked to China.
I agree to bridge the divides, but not at the cost of BS.
Another brilliant essay. So much perspective and wisdom here. One thing I do think is overlooked is the influence of such writers as Judith Butler, Gayle Rubin, Kimberle Crenshaw. Millennials and Gen Z have the works of postmodern feminists to thank for their discontent with the hard-won progress made by Gen X. And as a Gen Xer myself, I can say it was easy to get complacent about the seeds of discontent being sown in university settings. I didn't realize it was happening at the time, but even if I had, I'm sure it would have seemed like petty rantings of greedy minorities (whether skin color or sexual preference as the two main categories being highlighted) wanting ever more recognition and, as it turns out, retribution. Well, they've gotten it, sadly. To the detriment of everyone except for a vanishingly small percentage of the ultra-wealthy who will always prosper form dissent and division.
Your writing is so important and spot on. Thank you.
I'm a generation ahead of you and really enjoyed your insightful essay. I observed the same as you. In the 1970s-1980s academic/government environments that I was in, affirmative action was followed but never did I or anyone I know look at the minorities who may have benefited from this as being "less than" or unqualified. I was passed over one promotion in the 1980s by a Black but I held no grudge as she was sharp in our field and I knew my turn would come up soon (which it did).
I must confess that nowadays, seeing what's happened since, that I usually wonder or question the qualifications of minorities who are in positions of power or influence. This is mainly after seeing standards be eliminated, lowered or ignored, and some who obviously didn't deserve the position.
I wish that the "straddling" Gen X had more influence to push back against what's happening. Essays like yours are encouraging to see.
I appreciate someone being a voice for our oft forgotten generation. I am the product of an 80s public school education and much of what you write resonates with my memories of the way I thought things seemed to be, relationally and sociologically speaking. I was beginning to doubt my memories. Thanks for reassuring and reminding us that Gen X wasn’t just The Breakfast Club.
Well thought out and written. If only the following generations would look back at history and consider older people a resource of that history. I moved to Dallas in 1967 and was taking newspapers off hangers in the closet and started reading the want ads. Since I came from a northern small town in Illinois where segregated facilities did not exist, I saw colored apartments advertised and in my ignorance wondered why building in colors would be advertised as such. I really imagined pink and blue buildings until my brain turned on. However, I never did see labeled water fountains in that town.
Monica, I always enjoy reading your articles. You are able to articulate what a lot of us are thinking but can’t put into words. Born in the US in 1963, much of how I experienced the world matched yours and Michael S growing up. I don’t always comment but I want you to know that I am sincerely grateful for you and your hard work! Your voice is so needed in this crazy upside down world we are currently living in!
Thank you very much for those kind words, Kathy. Really appreciate your support!
Excellent.
"Our vision of diversity in America was advanced enough to reject the bigotries of the past, but not so unrooted from America’s historical reality as to lend itself to ideological extremes. "
It is not limited to America. The sense of history has been partly lost here in Europe. I grew up with veterans from WWI and WWII. I do have a bound with history. The younger generation is unawre of this complex reality.
I greatly appreciate your perspective Monica! I wonder if us GenXers were busy raising families and now coming out of that fog are waking up to what has happened to our society? I remember the time you described and am so glad to hear voices like yours writing about it. I really enjoyed your conversation with Michael Shellenberger too. I think with many of the issues we are facing, we need more from our generation to step up and right the ship!
As a female boomer, I remember the days when it didn't matter how good one was at the job, the old affirmative action was at play. For every Bakke there were an untold number of people like my sister applying to medical school in the late 70's, one who also had scores above the average but was the incorrect sex. There were and are plenty of intelligent people, qualified if you will, in careers and many of those people are white males. But there were also white males who were kept employed to keep employed. That was then and this is now. We went through a period of rapid change and now we've come full circle with other "groups" looking to frog hop over others. I hope to see the day when people are willing to step out of their (race/sex) clique membership and start seeing others, regardless of race and sex, with similar education, training and skills as more "like them," as you pointed out when speaking to the group of teachers. Many only get incensed when some injustice is done to a race/sex clique member. Would Bakke fell any kinship to my sister, or does he only see injustice when it happens to a white male? I can't speak for him but that is the sticking point we are still having trouble getting past. In my view, any boomer feminist should be up in arms over the lack of due process on college campuses for males accused of rape. I remember when it was common to see a character attack on any alleged female rape victim. I believe attaining justice in the courts was rare "back in the day." Now I see a revenge plot and I don't like it any better than when it was directed at females. A similar thing has happened to me several times when a male has brought up a custody battle. I let him know I understand because I was in a long, vicious custody battle, but each time I get hostility and he will retreat to his stance that males are always the victim in a custody battle. I'm past trying to break through those gripped by the victimhood mentality and who spend time looking around for examples to reinforce that worldview and ignoring anything that contradicts, no matter the sex or skin color of the "victim."
"victimhood mentality" has killed emancipation. The conflict between millenials and boomers will fade as boomers are going now 80 and over, hence losing the battle. A new conflict will emerge between Xers and the youngers, and we shall be ready to lose this too...The latest genenration will always be right. What can we do then? We can end nicely!
I will give up when I gasp my last breath.
I like to think about transmission. What do we transmit? Will it be enough for those who survives us?
Our own ups and downs are part of human fate. No more, no less.
What we have in common is so much more than what divides us - it's a shame we focus so much on arguing about the latter and so little enjoying and celebrating the former.
I spotted good old Barry in the back row before I read the caption. HA!
"See if you can spot me in the photo above."
- I think that you are the woman on the left, second row down, denim jacket, white top.
I have read so many books since I read your Illusion of Division. Each book lead to the other and I have even more that I need to read. It's overwhelming.
The book that shocked me the most was the one about Obama.
Racism, Revenge and Ruin: It's All Obama
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CP2NHHCG
I haven't read something this shockingly different from the consensus Narrative since I read:
The Trayvon Hoax: Unmasking the Witness Fraud that Divided America
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XSFVL2K
BTW, I'm watching the Godzilla series of movies, starting with the new ones from 2014, just to give myself perspective. Something different from the horrors of reality that I am reading about.
I'll go finish watching Godzilla: King of the Monsters now, then get back to reading the books.
But I digress.
Sorry guy, but Zimmerman's lawsuit have been dismissed:
"January 28, 2022 - The $100 million lawsuit against Martin's parents and others filed by Zimmerman is dismissed with prejudice in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit Court, Leon County."
https://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/05/us/trayvon-martin-shooting-fast-facts/index.html
Hence the Joel Gilbert's book is plain BS.
Sorry.
Monica is a respectable friend she don't deserve comparison with Joel Gilbert.
Concerning the website of Scott McKay, there is a legitimate concern about it's cookie policy. I took the time to screen capture those linked to China.
I agree to bridge the divides, but not at the cost of BS.
Thanks for commenting.
This all goes into my Story Folders.
Stuff like this actually does help me in writing the novel series that I am working on.
Thank you !!