Generation “Y” -- the Internet generation, the Obamaphile generation, the gay-friendly generation. The YouTube generation, certainly. The “greatest generation”? Unfortunately, that one’s already taken -- claimed by the stalwarts of World War II, our grandparents, who are, it seems, none too modest about their achievements.
But really, there’s no comparing the challenges of our grandparents -- the Great Depression, World War II, and their lamentable offspring, our parents -- with the challenges facing Gen Y today. Our wars are much more confusing and are coming off poorly (can anyone imagine “V-I” day -- Victory in Iraq Day?). Indeed, donating one's pantyhose and scrap metal is no longer a useful contribution to our country’s international fortunes. And I somehow doubt Generation Y is destined to become the progenitor of another baby boom.
However, our recession, should it become a depression, may yet resemble that of our grandfathers. Both are painful comedowns off dizzy speculation and loosey-goosey regulatory policies, though the current crisis is rooted in financial schemes made possible by modern technology. Sober observers of the economy have detected a creaking of the machine that is reminiscent of the early 1930s. It’s a scary proposition.
But conditions have changed, and it’s hard to see a single, noble path leading out of the forest. For the Greatest Generation, World War II provided a boost to the economy, while simultaneously defeating the Nazis. Why, we should be so lucky! Our struggles are more ambiguous and our suffering seems more like malaise in the absence of a single rallying cry (Obama notwithstanding).
Awash in this unhappy sea, let us recall the enduring images of the last Great Depression -- ramshackle Hoovervilles and beaten-down Okies, starved and humiliated by the Dust Bowl. The poor always suffer most in any economic crisis -- a fact to be kept in mind as we attempt to stave off the current one. Taking care of our fellow citizens, particularly the worst-off among them: could it be our rallying cry?
-- Sarah Dalglish
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