Remember when they gave us Generation X – which basically meant that were were hopeless slackers? Gee that was fun. We’d wallow in our Baby Boomer parents shadow, drifting aimlessly?
Even in The Way We’ll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream
, John Zogby is calling us the Nike Generation. The generation that really got sucked into media. Zogby says we’re cynical. We don’t buy into hope, we “just do it” like a Nike commercial tells us too. L-A-M-E.
Today is Inauguration Day, already they are branding our kids Generation O.
O for Obama.
O for Optimism.
I, for one, can’t say cynicism has gotten me one damned thing worth having. Oh, it’s gotten me plenty of depression, anxiety, fear and hopelessness. But, I’m over it. I’ve had my fill of it. Too cool for school? Don’t call me anymore. Going to sit back and complain about how much you hate the government because they can’t do anything right? Lose my number. Don’t talk to me at parties. Know the stimulus is never going to work? Keep it to yourself. Think Universal Healthcare is a disaster waiting to happen – stop wishing for your own destruction so you can be “right.” I’m looking for solutions. To find solutions you have to believe in trying.
Yesterday, I sat my children down and had them watch the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream” speech. It was beautiful. Then I made them watch Oprah’s Inauguration special. Ainsley said, “This is is kind of boring.”
I saw something different. I saw millions of people volunteering, willing to pitch in where there is need. Millions of people waking with HOPE – remember HOPE?
I was 8 months pregnant with Ainsley when I saw the second plane crash into the Tower on 9/11. They said her Generation would be be defined by that awful moment. How horrible to be defined by an act of evil.
I prefer, Generation O – a generation growing up with a President who speaks hope not fear. A president who makes us all feel like pitching in and doing something different. A president who unifies not divides. A president who makes us take responsibility for ourselves as he takes responsibility for our nation’s policy, national and International. A president who calls us to Optimistic Action.
Yes, we can.
In honor of this super-awesome day (and not connected to last week’s Launch Party Giveaways – entries until Friday) I’m giving away one I Am Generation O onesie or t-shirt from genOtees.com. Contest will run for 7 days. I’ll draw from random.org.
All you have to do is leave a comment saying something optimistic and hopeful about our future as America.
Guess what it says on the back?
Fan The Girl Revolution on Facebook.
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50 comments ↓
My sentiments exactly! I have grown tired of pessimism and being depressed! Our country and its’ people need to believe that we are still the greatest country on earth. This means confident, resilient and helping others! Please enter me in your delightful contest. Many thanks, Cindi
I think what I heard In Obama’s speech that was the most hopeful was that our best hope for change was in the values of the American people. It’s time for Generation O–thanks for the giveaway!
I so agree- whether you voted or not lets get on the ball and get our acts together becuase if you are wanting Obama as a President to fail- you know what- then you are also hoping for America to fail then we all lose.
His speech was truly optimistic — we are so much better than we have been & it looks as though we are headed to greatness once again!
I am so very very hopeful today! I watched the inauguration with some of my students and couldn’t help but applaud along with the crowd several times. Hey — if we need optimism, all we need is a little Aretha Franklin, for that matter! This is a wonderful post, so thank you for reminding us that hope is the thing with feathers … (let’s let it fly!)
Yes We Can! I think the majority of the country is charged with optimism and hope (at last)
gkstratos@yahoo.com
I feel nothing but hope in my heart today, and I wish the same for everyone!
Your writing was inspirational and heartfelt, it made me cry and cheer in just those short paragraphs.
I’m hopeful for girls and women today because of sites The Girl Revolution! and The Dove Campaign for girls. I’m happy that more and more of us are breaking down the barriers of the media world and making girls and women everywhere feel comfortable for being THEMSELVES.
I’m also hopeful that we’re one step closer to being ONE WORLD and ONE LOVE.
i definetly was time for a change nothing but best wishes for president obama
Count me in please!
My optimistic and hopeful comment about America is that things will get better. They always do. Thanks for the giveaway!
It’s Camelot all over again, isn’t it? Giving our president and nation our support is all it takes to change everything! We just needed someone to tell us it was okay to hope. I’m so lucky to be alive to see this magical time for the U.S.!!
quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com
As a child of the sixties and the mom of 2 teenage girls it is good to know, “a change is gonna come”
Its a wonderful time in this country. We are finally judging people by the content of their character, and ignoring the color of their skin.
Awesome – I was so full of hope & joy yesterday.
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I have hope that my son’s generation will do more to conserve and protect our planet, before its too late!
I love that onesie! It *almost* makes me want to have another baby!! LOL
Yesterday was an amazing, emotional, wonderful day. It is so refreshing to see a man in office who really approaches things in a way that I truly admire. He is about service, and family, and responsibility and it is so inspiring to be able to point to him as a role model for my children.
It was not Obama alone that has brought change to our country and if all of us continue to work towards positive change it will happen.
My sister was on the train in NYC and already some ass is complaining. What the hell do you have if you don’ t have hope?
I love that onesie! I am optimistic that the Obama administration will be much more open about their policies and what dealings are going on in the government, and less secretive and closed off from the American people.
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I am FILLED with hope that our children will grow up with a governement that CARES about people all over the world, and acts out that love and care through all that it does
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I wish President Obama all the best and hope we as a country help in other to see change as he can’t do this alone. Obama! Obama!
This is absolutley wonderful! I love that instead of a negative name for a generation it is a positive one…it’s about time! Wasn’t it wonderful to be part of something on Tuesday that will be written in Text books- about change, hope, and finally coming together. Finally something positive!
thanks
Such a wonderful moment in time. My son would love to rock the O
I do feel optimistic about our future as a country. I think the financial downturn has gotten people off the greed track — the drive for “more, more, more!” — and turning towards more sustainable goals. There’s a return towards honesty and integrity in government. Most importantly, the people are filled with a sense of hope, but with the realization that we all must take part in making change happen, and I think that will lead us to great things!
I think the most optimistic thing I’m seeing/feeling is the excitement of the young people. They’re the future of our country and they need to be involved.
Finally we can feel a sense of hope. Its been a long 8 years run on greed, fear, and paranoia…this feeling of hope for the future is refreshing. The damage is done to this country and may take my lifetime to undo, but at least we have someone who will start to work for everyone in this country, not just the fortunate and wealthy.
Count me in
Too cute! Thanks!!
I would love the chance to win.
obama’s speech was optimistic
As Obama focuses on green collar jobs, perhaps our whole future will take a turn for the better.
Change will happen. We finally have someone in office who is not scared to reform broken systems!!! Thank Goodness!!! We need a tighter ship, and I think we will get it!
Also . . . I am so excited to finally have some color in office. We are getting to the point where it IS merit that matters!
Im optimistic about the future of America because we have a president that is willing to really bring change, and do what he has to make our future brighter.
I want my kids to grow up being proud of the country they live in.
I am hopeful that people will learn from the mistakes in our past & make the future a brighter place to live in.
We do not let negative situations bring us down. It just makes us stronger.
We just watched Express about the first African American Heisman trophy winner. This occurred in the early 60’s. The black football team members could not stay in a hotel or country club where the other members were able to go. It’s amazing to think this was less than 50 years ago and people were treated that way. Now we have a black President. That’s optimism. People of color can achieve ANYTHING. There is always hope
these are too cute
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i hope the economy turns around too many people are hurting
I believe that anyone who has a dream is part of the O generation no matter what their age. Therefore I’m part of the O generation. I can’t remember anybody mentioning this during the campaign but the name “Barack” means blessed or blessed by God. My mother always taught us that we grow up to become our names and I believe that Barack will be a blessing for our nation.
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America can overcome all of her problems if everybody comes together and work for the betterment of America and the world.
Just the fact that our country *can* peacefully change, without military coups or tyranny, in a democratic process, is cause for hope. Because this time, we desired that change, and worked to actually make it happen, which is a hope for a better future.
I hope that the economy makes a turn for the best!
This is amazing moment in time right now! I hope that everyone will now be more accepting and respectful to all!!!
I have a lot of optimism right now and really hope that there is change for the better!
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I really believe that our wonderful new president can change everything around for us! Eventually, the economy will get better and more jobs will be available!
BEING THINGS HAVE TURN TO POOP IN THE USA~A MAJOR “CHANGE” & A GOOD CLEAN UP IN IN ORDER.
HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN.
I LOVE THE ONSIE………MY NIECE IS PG & WOULD LOVE THIS FOR HER BABY.
THANKS.
Its not just about this man….it is about the hope of all those people *us* standing behind him. TOGETHER we can all get back on track and rediscover what it means to be an American. Freedom and values……and the respect to not let your beliefs interfere with anothers. I am excited, personally, and look forward to the months and years to come. It may be a rough road, at times, but we will be creating a better world for our wee ones!
I hope the economy turns around and things get better for everyone.
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