It’s hard to grow up in a world of aging baby boomers. They’re an iconic generation defined by flower power and free love. They had a view of the world and an idea of what it should be. Then they actually took action to make the necessary changes.

I am truly inspired and intrigued by my parents’ generation. And utterly annoyed and disgusted by my own.

Where are the rebellious 20-something heroes hell-bent on shouting society’s hypocrisies and injustice? Where are the forward-thinking intellectuals sharing philosophies leading the way to a better future? And why the hell is everyone so sad?

The Emo kid’s sad influence has seeped into all aspects of society. Clad in black skinny jeans, heavy eyeliner, and a permanent frown atop a skeletal frame, the Emo kid is easy to spot in a crowd. He’s the one quick to drain all fun from everyone around just by the sight of his razor-cut hair and defeated attitude. How can anyone be happy when the Emo kid sacrifices his spirit to illustrate the horrible world we live in?

But is that really why the Emo kid is sad? I’m quite certain he’s grown up in an affluent household. I’m sure he has been provided with all the amenities that make up a seemingly joyous and fulfilling life. Yet, he’s just so sad.

Maybe the Emo kid is sad because his social interactions are done solely through Facebook and AIM? With expressions and emotions narrowed to a few simple icons, there is no need for actual human contact. Maybe if there were a wider array of frowny-face emoticons, the Emo kid would brighten up.

Or maybe the Emo kid is just so self-absorbed that he has nothing better to do but sit and think about how sad he is?

But is this the best rebellion available today? Where past troublemakers wore leather jackets or grew long hair, today’s youth wear large headphones to drown out noise that would distract from their wallowing.

As past generation’s rebellion was fueled by anger at restrictions and rules, this generation has been granted access to every desire and demand. Is the Emo kid gloomy because he doesn’t believe he has lived up to his parents’ expectations?

Regardless of what makes the Emo kid so emotional, I really just don’t understand why, if he is truly sad, there is a need to draw attention to it? Why not do something about it? After all, movement is what made the baby-boomer generation so significant. Where are the writers/musicians/poets/artists channeling this angst into something tangible? It’s about time for someone of this generation to speak up.

Julia Pflaum