It's on Us

For the last year I have been fortunate to film and air my own docu-series on MTV which chronicled my experience living for one week at a time with young people from all walks of life. Through that experience, along with Twitter, Facebook, a college speaking tour, and a flood of new introductions along the way, I have been lucky enough to connect with a wide array of people my age (I am 24) concerning the issues that we, as a generation, face. The more I travel, the more I listen, the more I have learned:

Juliet, a 23-year-old student that I met at a New York community college, passed me a hand written note that explained her battle with depression, the emotional scars that have ensued, a dropped medical insurance policy, and her struggle to care for her one-year-old. "It's not fair for my child," she concluded.

At 19, José, who I met in Pittsburgh, is the sole caretaker for his younger brother, Mike, who has autism. They live in a county with a failing school district that placed Mike in mainstream classes with many kids that regularly make fun of him. José told me that Mike now refuses to get out of bed in the morning. Bound by school district zoning, José wasn't sure how to find his brother an "adequate education".

Via Facebook, TaraMXXX said, "It's really absurd how expensive it is to go to school and how difficult and stressful it can be to get financial aid. To do anything in this age you have to go to college yet it's so expensive and unreasonable for people to pay that much. It's not fair."

The thousands of stories that I have come across have left a deep impression on me. These are not just notes of desperation. These are remarkable stories of resilience. It's clear that we are a generation seeking answers. Most importantly, each story demonstrates how urgent it is that we make a difference -- that we, as young people, can be part of the solution, not the problem.

The resilience of the people I have met exemplifies an underlying theme that is hard to ignore, as I read in this recent tweet:

@CYTXXX "I vote for compassion. It encompasses everything: love, understanding, tolerance, and respect, at the least."

Our generation is enduring the brutality of two wars, a struggling economy that is hitting us especially hard, and a political leadership that is mortgaging our future for today's votes. I was recently reminded of what this potentially means:

@McTXXX "'What's known as "The Greatest Generation" arose from deep economic problems and war. 2day we have a new set of challenges./I want to inspire my peers to create a future they believe in rather than live the future they have been told to believe in."

I am not a policy wonk and I won't pretend to have a litany of answers. I am simply a guy with a microphone.

Collective action has worked in the past: large numbers of everyday people rallying to put shame on those that are not giving them a fair deal. It's what Roosevelt did to the banks. It's what civil rights leaders did to their politicians. It's a way to get tangible results that make a real difference in peoples' lives. It's perhaps the best way to say that the world is not anyone's inheritance; it's what each generation makes it.

I agree with @Michelle2XXX who recently tweeted, "I want to help change the definition of my generation. I want to stand up and speak out... I just wish I knew exactly what to say."

The stories of Juliet, Tara, and José are our stories. They live in our communities. They are stories for which our generation needs to find solutions.

In the coming months, I along with many other young people will work together to achieve a civic discourse that results in a world that our generation will be proud to hand off to the next.

Listen to my podcast with Dylan Ratigan.

 

Comments

[JStading]

10:21 PM on 01/19/2011

I saw some previews for Mr. Jenks' documentary series and must say that I dismissed it as likely being just more pop-fluff from MTV.  While MTV has had some great programs, especially the True Life documentary series, so much of their "serious content" just lacked depth.  To be fair, I watched an episode....and then two....and then all of them. 

He is tremendously talented and his accomplishment is all the more impressive when one considers that he is a rather young documentarian.  He can humanize people within just a few minutes and somehow reduces fairly complex issues into the story of one or two people.  His program is available free on MTV.com and I would highly recommend everyone take a few minutes (which will turn into a few hours) and watch some of his work.

[youngnation]

12:40 AM on 01/20/2011

The courage to speak the truth. Perhaps after documenting life, it is time to document history.

[stuckinarut]

01:11 PM on 01/19/2011

He is right though...It will be Generation Y that pulls the US out of this, if anyone. The Millennial generation who have grown up during years of warfare and economic depression that will be the most prepared to deal with the problems we face...The current generation in power is unable to rid itself of its greed.

Thom Hartmann just did a great intervie about this...check it out...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6B-ZnZgd6E

[youngnation]

04:51 PM on 01/19/2011

In case anybody missed this: "I­t will be Generation Y that pulls the US out of this".

[HockeyMom]

12:11 PM on 01/19/2011

How can kids study when money is the big topic.

[max60]

11:34 AM on 01/19/2011

Andrew Jenks, in his essay "It's On Us," agrees with a young interview subject who says, "I want to stand up and speak out. I just wish I knew exactly what to say."

Back in the '60's young people just said what they knew needed to be heard. "No" to the war in Viet Nam, "No" to segregation, "No," to poverty. They volunteered with the Civil Rights movement, went into the Peace Corps and VISTA, marched and demonstrated for causes that moved them. (True, some demonstrated against Viet Nam, because they were of draft age--the US government did itself a favor by eliminating the draft--but many others who worked had nothing personal to gain.)

Among them were single parents, people dealing with depression, those with money problems; the same cross section we see today.

I'd love to know why that kind of response isn't happening now. What is keeping so many young people from taking an active stand on whatever concerns them about their world?

[stuckinarut]

01:08 PM on 01/19/2011

In the 60s young adults saw their friends and families being forced to go fight for the war whether they agreed with it or not. When they got rid of the draft, they took the public "skin out of the game". No one talks about the wars (illegal occupations). You can watch a whole day of tv and never see a story about the wars on the major networks. Young people know what is going on, they just feel disenfranchised with the current generation in power, and their inability to deal with issues of necessity. Let's face it. The current generation in power is bought and sold to the corporations, and are therefore unable to cut the ties that got them there.

[youngnation]

04:46 PM on 01/19/2011

"Back in the '60's young people said "No"
..... and today they are the elder's that still say "No".

No to cuts in unsustainable entitlements.
No to increasing taxes necessary to pay for them.
No to protecting the prosperity of our posterity.

That kind of response is not what is needed today.

[markie G]

05:46 AM on 01/19/2011

wow---stunningly depressing---more than ever, i'm glad i grew up in the 60's

[Geri Hoekzema]

09:32 PM on 01/18/2011

One option for young people that I don't read about much is vocational education/training. I have an 18-year old son who didn't to go to "college" in the way we usually think of it, studying academic subjects. He's enrolled in Job Corps now, preparing to go into a skilled trade such as carpentry or mechanics. While this won't guarantee him a job, when he's done he'll probably be much more employable than I am, with my B.A. in Communications. And if he has lifelong learning skills, he can continue to learn whatever he wants long after graduating.

An old-school university education is prohibitively expensive, but not all young people need one. A university degree isn't a ticket to a "good" job anymore, it isn't necessary for success in any endeavor in life, and it certainly isn't an indication of intelligence. Nonetheless I'm surprised at how many adults still pressure their kids to get a 4-year degree. Our entire culture needs to start thinking differently about post-HS education and quality of life. Changing our expectations might lighten the load for many young people.

[skiptowne]

09:57 PM on 01/18/2011

Unfortunately, a lot of employers won't even ask you in for a job interview without a Bachelor's degree. The main reason is they think that having a Bachelor's degree means you proved you can learn. Yep, I've heard this from numerous young people.

[WMG111]

07:09 PM on 01/18/2011

Growing up in the 60's was in many ways both a blessing and a curse.
We grew up believing in the concept of actual justice for all. We knew it would take work, so we worked. We marched. Things changed as a result of concentrated public pressure on the power structure. It was an exhilarating time to be young.
I don't know what happened to that core belief in social justice.
The curse is having to watch it all fall apart.
When I see politicians and so called journalists younger than me spout hateful rhetoric I feel cheapened as a (hopefully) evolving human.
One thing we used to all agree on was that greed is bad.
Not so much these days.

[ijgibson]

06:17 PM on 01/18/2011

As Bill Gates said in a famous speech - lesson No.1 Life isn't fair - it never was ! To maybe 1% of the population, life has always been more than generous - but unfair to the rest. So the aim should be to increase fairness - which means taking care of more people so that they can live reasonable lives. Healthcare would be a good place to start - but America seems intent on rejecting that. So for the last 100 years or so life has improved for each generation and it now appears that that process is coming to an end. Just think how few improvements there were in the previous 1000 years ! Technology has played a big part in that, as has the sense of community. The latter is fast disappearing except in very small populations - due mainly to corrupt corporations and their lapdogs - the majority of politicians. So that's where the idealistic young should start - those that are principled and have both ability and ambition should seek to become politicians who refuse to be bought by corporations, and who act fearlessly. The others - just as valualble - should do everything in their power to foster a real sense of community. Community's acting together can acheive far more for the common good than individuals, however well intentioned.

[odhinn42]

06:24 PM on 01/18/2011

That sounds suspiciously like good advice. :)

[Trout007]

06:48 PM on 01/18/2011

Why has there been more progress in the last 200 years of human history than the previous 20,000? Because of the founding of the USA. The one thing that was and is different here than anywhere else in the world is that your future is in your hands. That's it. The government was established to protect your life, liberty and property and not much else. Everywhere else in the world you weren't free. If you wanted to start a business you had to apply to the authorities and pay off the local gang and give kickbacks to the police for protection. It was impossible no matter how hard you worked to get ahead.

In the USA it was different. You were free to start your business and it was up to only you if you failed or succeeded. The government was there to protect you from graft and corruption.

Even though we have moved towards the old world where the government now puts many roadblocks in your way to success you are still more free in this country to succeed. Don't make the mistake of trying your future to other peoples actions. You are in charge of your own future. Get to work.

[NO WAY BARRY]

06:55 PM on 01/18/2011

Fanned

[colepi]

05:58 PM on 01/18/2011

First of all Thank You! As a Baby Boomer getting close to retirement age I feel your pain. It's not much different from what people my age are feeling across the board. I marched, protested, and screamed to be heard in the late 60's and I still do now. I wonder many times where are we now - those of us who marched on the Pentagon, and demonstrated in our resident cities making the establishment hear us? It is my sincere hope that you find your voice as generation and try to take up where we left off. Carry the torch on and go forward well.

[odhinn42]

05:01 PM on 01/18/2011

I don't know if I count as the same generation as you. I'm 29, now. Going to be thirty this year. But I hear in you the same things I think. I'm with you. I see the trouble, and it frustrates me. All that needs to happen is for us, the younger generation to speak up, in a unified manner, to see great change come. We saw the proof of concept in 2008. It wasn't pretty or perfect, but we made a big difference when we decided to. It's not time to sit down and relax. That was just the opening gambit. Now it's time to start in earnest.

[JWheels]

05:18 PM on 01/18/2011

I would count everyone 18-35, I think we haven't seen much of this age group reach national political offices. You can't even run for congress until age 25. If we can get the same level of energy toward achieving real social justice as was generated to put Obama in office then we're off to a good start. We just need to be sure the leaders we elect are sincerely in alignment with our interests. President Obama has done well in my mind, but we can still do better.

[odhinn42]

06:51 PM on 01/18/2011

I agree completely. Like I said. 2008 was proof-of-concept. Rough around the edges but a good start. Just can't let up now. We have to resist the urge to get distracted by the next shiny object. :)

[youngnation]

09:04 PM on 01/18/2011

In case anybody missed this: "All that needs to happen is for us, the younger generation to speak up, in a unified manner, to see great change come".

[JWheels]

04:45 PM on 01/18/2011

I fully believe the time is coming for this generation of young people, myself included, to stand as one and demand what we need out of this nation and this government. Millions of people are being pushed aside by a system we are told to accept, a system that was not designed with our interests in mind. Our generation has the largest potential voice of any generation since that following World War II, we have been pushed down and suppressed by powerful interests long enough. More and more people need to get out and start telling the story of who we are, and we need to stop allowing ourselves to be fed into the corporate dominated power structure we are being deceived into believing is the only way to go. We need a cultural awakening. Unlike any seen since the 1960s, we need to create a society that cares about its members. We need to create a community in which we care about our neighbors. We need to create a nation that gives everybody a fair chance and the opportunity to succeed. We must do this before it is too late to undo the damage of the last 30 years.

[youngnation]

09:02 PM on 01/18/2011

In case anybody missed this: "the time is coming for this generation of young people".

[Paul Reinig]

02:50 PM on 01/18/2011

Hi Andrew. Thank you for your concern about your generation. I honor you as a journalist, as broadcasting has always been an interest of mine. I invite you to investigate an alternative approach to solving the problems your generation face. It is an approach you will not see covered in the mainstream media because it does not serve their purpose, which is to keep people believing they are victims. In essence, my message is that we are divine beings having a physical experience. What this statement says is, you and I are the creator of our reality. It's time for the illusion of separation between the divine and us as well as between each other to be dissolved. We created it that way so we can also let it go. The media, which informs us of what the so-called woes of the world are, is also the tool that is forcing all of us to become authentic. Authenticity means to be who we are, which is the creator, not a victim. There are no vicitms. This is the illusion. And dear Andrew, this is the message that your generation so desperately wants to hear because when one chooses to take responsibility for creating their world, they can then uncreate it from the inside out. FYI, My website, www.MasteringTrueLove would be a great start. I also have a blog and online radio show, both accessable through my website. Thank you for your consideration.

[William50]

02:47 PM on 01/18/2011

At eighteen every individual has three choices. Continue school this incurring debt that 80% because they do not finish school and even many have to take a decade or two to pay off. Go to work, get training and grow their lives this way or join the military, this accounts for less then 2% of the nations young because of education and fear plus an educational system that pushes it is wrong.
The American party starting in 2013 will start a new program that allows eighteen and nineteen year olds to join a new branch of the military that requires a five year minimum investment in time and gives six months each year, starting at the individuals level in formal education and military training, and six months in the USA unless they volunteer outside in non combat roles to help where America needs them. This will be for one to three million young Americas who are not ready for College but need to be allowed to train for their and Americas future. When they are in education they will by their ability take college level classes that canl be used at any school in the USA. Also when they have served and leave the military they will have the college and home owner benefits of all American service members. This will give many a new opportunity to be educated, grow up and not be in debt for decades. The American party, new ideas for America.

[youngnation]

02:26 PM on 01/18/2011

"In the coming months, I along with many other young people will work together to achieve a civic discourse that results in a world that our generation will be proud to hand off to the next".

Placing the prosperity of our posterity above all else. It is an honor to recognize a true Patriot.

[ScienceHighway]

02:23 PM on 01/18/2011

Considering how moved we were by "Andrew Jenks, Room 335" when we were fellow participants at the Phoenix Film Festival a few years back, Shirley and I are really looking forward to this series. Glad you're staying true to this unique path, Andrew.
Michael Lennick