Documentary Forum: Politics
By: Generation Next Initiative,
September 5, 2007 7:58 PM

How would you grade Generation Next's level of political and civic engagement in your community?

What are the most important political issues for Generation Next?

Speak up about your thoughts on Generation Next and politics in this forum!

Comments

If you missed it, Stephen Colbert said this on a recent episode of the Colbert Report: "We can learn so much from Dr. King. But tonight, I want to talk to our nation's youth about what they can learn. Young people, many of you are looking to make a difference, to challenge the status quo. Well the way Dr. King opposed authority was revolutionary, and I think we can do better. He accomplished so much by refusing to engage in violence. Doesn't it stand to reason that we can accomplish so much more by refusing to engage in anything at all? Not riding a bus sent a powerful message, so imagine how powerful a message you can send by not leaving your bed. Young America, it is time to go beyond passive resistance to pure passiveness. You're off to a great start, in almost four years of war there have been no rallies, there has been no action in the streets, you have been to the mountaintop, you have seen the promised land, and you have turned up your iPod and started playing Xbox. Yes. But you can do less. So get up out of your chair, right now, and lie down on your sofa. I'm calling for a nation-wide lie-in. Stock your snacks accordingly. Remember, it won't be just one of you doing nothing, it'll be millions. In the words of so many young people this Christmas morning, 'I have a Wii.'" As a teenager, I felt like Colbert's recent criticism on todays youth was a personal dig at me. Does Stephen really think that today's youth don't take an active role in Government? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it middle aged men and women Mr. Colbert's age and older that have made such a mess out of American Govt. and diplomacy? Isn't it those same men and women that have nearly ruined this country's economy, supported an illegal and immoral war, and committed countless other atrocities? I'd rather take a less active role in Government than the corrupt and violent role you yourselves have taken. Yes, much of today's youth opposes the war in Iraq, and so do much of todays adult population. The adult population however is the one with the ability to take a DIRECT role in Government and yet if they oppose the war and are doing more to stop it than todays youth, why then are we still in Iraq? Why are American soldiers dying every day? Why have we, the American people, not seen significant change? I am a teenager and enlisted in the military just a few days ago. I ship for Fort Benning on the 25th of this month. This is absolutely an active role in a Government organization. The military is being abused by the current administration, but that doesn't change the necessity of it. Until a new president takes Bush's place, we MUST have an active military capable of defending this country. We MUST have this until someone, anyone, can step up and fix what Bush has done to this country's image and thus make it a safe place to live in again. When I was at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) the other day at Fort Meade, MD, I took note of who was around me enlisting in the armed forces. Out of the 50 or so future soldiers in my group, roughly 75% were younger than 20. NONE were older than 30. This nations youth is taking a huge responsibility in defending [/i]every citizen of this country, despite age, race, gender, ethnicity or anything else. Do not place the blame for this sorry state of affairs on today's youth.
Posted by: Sean | January 18, 2007 3:53 AM

As a generation, I think our biggest challenge, the one that will determine the outcome of all others, will be to define our values. Will we be the generation of individual responsibility - of self-interest and the morals of the marketplace? Or will we be the generation of collective responsibility - of compassion and charity? Or will we be the pragmatic generation - the generation that sees the benefits of both and seeks to balance the two.
Posted by: DG | February 4, 2007 10:37 PM

I don't think that America's youth is involved in politics to any great extent. Sure you have your anomalies, kids like me who are fascinated with the political process and are involved in current affairs, but the majority of teens and young adults are wrapped up in their own lives and are relatively oblivious to the rest of the world. There is clearly no lack of information (with media sources like the Internet), just a lack of interest. If this generation is going to be define in any way, I think it will be the generation that didn't care. We are technically the most educated Americans, yet I know hardly anyone that can recite to me any notable novelists or any significant recent events in the political community. Our generation is indulging in pop culture and other trivialities and, as a result, or more clueless than ever about the real state of affairs. Their heads are full of superficial dreams never to be actualized because of the lack of discipline.
Posted by: Inna | August 31, 2007 5:33 PM

We need to come to a realization that we do not live a world of a sole market. American youth are consumed with making items of convience readily available that are produced in lands " far far away". American youth need to be more successful in world wide implications of not only affairs, but more importantly international buisness. In doing so, America will be able to sustain its place as a world power that some what looks after the rest of the world.. Step out of your comfort zone and make a difference!
Posted by: Dillon | August 31, 2007 6:33 PM

I'm sorry to say that it always amazes me, especially when you are running the "War" series PBS how the younger generation forgets the cost of human life that gave them thier freedoms to have what they have and it was only 60 years ago. And your last comment at the end of the show was that her generation made the only real contibutions or changes in the last 100 years. You as PBS "owned by the people" should at least ask that question to the ignorant generation next to get a real side of the spoiled generation!
Posted by: American | September 27, 2007 7:06 AM

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