LETTERS: ALL TEENS NOT GEN X TYPES

To the editor:

I am 16 years old and a junior in high school. I am an honor student, active in band, sports and many other clubs and school activities. Unfortunately, I am also a part of what is often derogatorily termed Generation X.

In school and at home, my peers and I have always been taught to not stereotype people. We have been taught to judge everyone individually and fairly, not to criticize someone based on his sex, race or religion. Hypocritically, though, many of the same people who have instructed us to be open-minded about others and about opinions that differ from our have done just the opposite. Many of these people have grouped all individuals my age or near it into what they call Generation X. Generation X is often described as a group of useless teen-agers, all of who are addicted to drugs and alcohol and who are totally uninterested in succeeding in school.

It frustrates me considerably to turn on the television and hear how my generation, Generation X, has failed yet again and that the Class of 2000, Generation Next, will have to correct all the damage we've done. This couldn't be further from the truth, which isn't to say that the class of 2000 is in any way inferior or to blame them for the criticism we're receiving. I just think that if those judging my peers and me so unjustly would search just a little harder and look for the good things in my generation instead of dwelling on the bad, they would find that behind the druggies and the slackers there are twice as many good kids working to do what's right and struggling to succeed in life. I know this is true, because so many of my friends and classmates are working part-time jobs to pay for college, cars and car insurance. In addition, they still go to school where they continue to excel, academically and athletically. Now, if my generation really was totally irresponsible, would paying their bills or maintaining their grade-point averages be a major concern to them?

So the next time you turn on the television or go out in public and hear that Generation X is hopeless and will never amount to much, please try to remember that stereotyping never helps in any situation and only serves to frustrate those struggling to succeed and make a future for themselves. Perhaps with a little encouragement those druggies and slackers can be persuaded as well to work toward a better future for themselves and this country.

AMY GEORGER

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