The 'Xennial' Generation

I'm part of what's been called a “micro generation” of Americans who had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood. Some experts have suggested that people born between approximately 1977 and 1983 aren't fully members of Generation X, but they aren't fully members of the Millennial generation either. Instead, we've been referred to as ‘Xennials’ (or 'Old Millenials') because we are a bit of both: we have one foot solidly in the past and one foot solidly in the future. 

Xennials are unique because our adolescence was characterized by the proliferation of the World Wide Web coming into our homes. We are the first generational group of Americans that can be considered "digital natives,” and we have been locked in tightly, observing how that web grows and evolves over time. We are generally quick to recognize scams, ‘Fake News,’ bots, internet trolls, and native ads (more on all of this later). We can do things like decipher the ever-changing text-speak of your teenagers because we invented the text speak of teenagers. We were also coming of age during the Columbine Massacre and the events of September 11th.

I think that Xennials are a bridge, so to speak, between you adorably clumsy internet using Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Generation Z. (As an aside, my Winnie is part of ‘Generation Alpha,’ which I find super cool, because I am pretty certain that it is her generation that is finally. going. to. get. it. right.) I must also mention those I love who are members of the Silent Generation. They, too, are a unique generation, and in many ways, are the yin to a Millennials yang (more on this later). 

Anyway, I say all of this because as someone on the cusp between generations, I feel like I have a pretty decent understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives of many people in many generations. The thing is, I recognize much of the annoying entitlement of Millennials, but it has also become glaringly obvious that Millenials (and now Gen Z) are not getting a fair shake at the "American Dream." As someone who studies and teaches social communication, I realize that everyone’s perspectives are different and social communication (especially in regard to the media) is in a period of major upheaval. As an educator, I am working with parents to bring up the next generation of Americans, and as a follower of Christ, I feel compelled to bring Jesus - one of the most radical social activists of all time - into some conversations in a way that believers and non-believers alike can all feel comfortable with. These are just some of the lenses that I will speak through; to reach the majority of you, I know I will need to speak a lot of "languages." 

I’ve dedicated most of my adult life to the study of communication, and social communication is a critical aspect of my work. I understand language and communication in its smallest, most isolated forms. With that said, I understand that some people value “expert” opinion and some people don’t. Take my word for whatever you will. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to engage in civil debates, especially about politics, but I know that it is only by valuing another’s perspective that we will continue making forward progress as a society and making compromise a part of our larger culture. 

What you will find here is my perspective of current events as an Xennial, a scholar of communication, and someone who believes that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. I will be monitoring and discussing current events and how our perspective of those events is shaped by the media, generational differences, social communication, and social responsibility.

I will make every effort to provide resources with the least amount of bias possible, and I will make every effort to engage in productive conversations; I can disagree with you and still like you!

I promise to keep an open mind. I hope you will too.