Who Are the Millennials?

[black-n-tan]

Who Are the Millennials?: Bill Moyers Interview With Heather McGhee
Saturday 11 February 2012
by: Bill Moyers, Truthout | Interview and Video

Heather McGhee.

While Republicans are still fighting the culture wars primary by primary, and caucus by caucus, President Obama is campaigning rather feverishly to win back the votes of the Millennials. Who are they? Well, the Millennials are the generation of young Americans born roughly between the years of 1978 and 2000. They are coming now to political maturity.

Two-thirds of Millennials voted for Obama in 2008, but a new Harvard study shows that in the last two years his approval rating among them has dropped 12 points. That's enough to decide a close election in November. And that may be why the President recently threatened to cut federal aid to schools that, quote, “jack up tuition.” Many of the Millennials are coming out of college with big loans to repay.

Yet another study describes their enthusiasm for him as “substantially depleted” so his reelection campaign has been wooing them recently through what Obama himself calls this “new fangled” thing, social media.

This week, we’re going to talk with one the Millennials’ most thoughtful advocates. Her name is Heather McGhee. Listen.


<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/36529482?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/36529482">Heather McGhee on the Millennial Generation</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user9013478">BillMoyers.com</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

[Cruise]

A black woman represents a white generational construct?

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

 

[QueEx]

A black woman represents a white generational construct?

What do you mean, specifically ???

 

[Cruise]

Generations reflect a shared culture, identity, values, and experiences.

The so-called Greatest Generation (whites) experienced early adulthood during a time of economic upheaval, unemployment, mass migration, belief in the good of the government and their fellow man, and were defined by resiliency. But, this is what whites experienced.

The Civil Rights Generation (Black people) experienced ostracism, exclusion, virulent hatred, open bigotry, violence from the establishment, which described them as resourceful.

They are not the same generation because they came from different backgrounds.

The Baby Boomers (whites) experienced abundance, peace, prosperity, and luxury, and were defined by self-indulgence.

The Wannabes (black people) experienced great changes in society and had the hopes of inclusion, improvement, and acceptance, which described them as opportunistic.

Having a black woman, represent a white generation (Millenials) makes about as much sense as the Wannabes representing the Baby Boomers, or the Greatest Generation as the example for the Civil Rights Generation.

A black woman who is a Millenial... dumb. But, maybe they believe in this post-racist garbage. Reality will cure them of this delusion.

 

[black-n-tan]

Generations reflect a shared culture, identity, values, and experiences.

The so-called Greatest Generation (whites) experienced early adulthood during a time of economic upheaval, unemployment, mass migration, belief in the good of the government and their fellow man, and were defined by resiliency. But, this is what whites experienced.

The Civil Rights Generation (Black people) experienced ostracism, exclusion, virulent hatred, open bigotry, violence from the establishment, which described them as resourceful.

They are not the same generation because they came from different backgrounds.

The Baby Boomers (whites) experienced abundance, peace, prosperity, and luxury, and were defined by self-indulgence.

The Wannabes (black people) experienced great changes in society and had the hopes of inclusion, improvement, and acceptance, which described them as opportunistic.

Having a black woman, represent a white generation (Millenials) makes about as much sense as the Wannabes representing the Baby Boomers, or the Greatest Generation as the example for the Civil Rights Generation.

A black woman who is a Millenial... dumb. But, maybe they believe in this post-racist garbage. Reality will cure them of this delusion.

Millennials, as they are defined in this interview, represent a generation, not a skin color. White, Black, Hispanic, etc in that age group all experience high levels of college debt and are facing a future of being less successful than their parents.

She made some very strong points. You should listen to her instead of getting all wrapped up in skin colors.

 

[Cruise]

Millennials, as they are defined in this interview, represent a generation, not a skin color. White, Black, Hispanic, etc in that age group all experience high levels of college debt and are facing a future of being less successful than their parents.

She made some very strong points. You should listen to her instead of getting all wrapped up in skin colors.

I tried and this white-washed, post-racial, scumbag seems to love that white boy. Just spouting more state-sponsored BS for the dummies to lap up so they can continue living in denial about racism, bigotry, and hatred by whites against black people.

Let me repeat, the idea of the Millenial is a white creation. It is not all-inclusive, except to the advantage of the white male.

Black people suffer higher unemployment, higher foreclosure rates, higher incarceration rates, are targeted by the cops and the courts, and redlined by the banks... all run by whitey.

To say that Millenials are anyting other than whites, is just an attempt by whites to placate non-whites by including them as others or almosts.

That is not a generation.

A generation, as I stated earlier, is SHARED experiences. If black people, or Asians, or Latinos, have different experiences than whites, then they are not shared and are not of that generation. They are a part of a different generation.

Black people have their own generational dynamic, as well as Latinos, and Asians.

Your desire to be included with whites, demonstrates you were probably raised by someone in the Wannabe Generation (1946-1964) or you are a part of the Sellout Generation (1965-1982).

 

[black-n-tan]

I tried and this white-washed, post-racial, scumbag seems to love that white boy. Just spouting more state-sponsored BS for the dummies to lap up so they can continue living in denial about racism, bigotry, and hatred by whites against black people.

Let me repeat, the idea of the Millenial is a white creation. It is not all-inclusive, except to the advantage of the white male.

Black people suffer higher unemployment, higher foreclosure rates, higher incarceration rates, are targeted by the cops and the courts, and redlined by the banks... all run by whitey.

To say that Millenials are anyting other than whites, is just an attempt by whites to placate non-whites by including them as others or almosts.

That is not a generation.

A generation, as I stated earlier, is SHARED experiences. If black people, or Asians, or Latinos, have different experiences than whites, then they are not shared and are not of that generation. They are a part of a different generation.

Black people have their own generational dynamic, as well as Latinos, and Asians.

Your desire to be included with whites, demonstrates you were probably raised by someone in the Wannabe Generation (1946-1964) or you are a part of the Sellout Generation (1965-1982).

Your skin color obsession clouds the whole point of the interview. The woman explains how "Trickle Down Economics" failed everyone but the very rich. She also talked about how unions were vital to all working people. I felt that it was pretty informative and I am sorry if you can't get past the title.

By the way, are you a "Wannabe" or a "Sellout"?

 

[Cruise]

Your skin color obsession clouds the whole point of the interview. The woman explains how "Trickle Down Economics" failed everyone but the very rich. She also talked about how unions were vital to all working people. I felt that it was pretty informative and I am sorry if you can't get past the title.

By the way, are you a "Wannabe" or a "Sellout"?

You don't get how brainwashed that woman is. She is using all this white terminology ("Trickle Down Economics" and unions) and a white viewpoint while trying to speak for whites. It looks silly.

If she were to talk about how black people are harassed by the police, overprosecuted, over-sentenced, victims of predatory banks, and black men are less likely to get jobs than white felons... the whites would not have invited her on the show. Instead, she did her best Mammy or Aunt Jemima impression to act like whites are blameless and we are all in this together. Sickening to watch a black woman pimp herself to whites like that, yet again.

Latinos and Asians speak a different language, have a different culture, and different viewpoint. That must be respected by refusing to lump them in with a simple-minded white characterization called "Millenials."

It is just another way for whites to impose their viewpoint on everyone else and to dominate the conversation.

By the way, are you a "Wannabe" or a "Sellout"?

I stopped calling myself black once Obama became President.

One thing about the Wannabes and Sellouts is that they don't stand up for a DAMN thing. I do. I am not a "go-along-to-get-along"-type.

So, what are you? Wannabe parents or a Sellout?

 

[black-n-tan]

You don't get how brainwashed that woman is. She is using all this white terminology ("Trickle Down Economics" and unions) and a white viewpoint while trying to speak for whites. It looks silly.

If she were to talk about how black people are harassed by the police, overprosecuted, over-sentenced, victims of predatory banks, and black men are less likely to get jobs than white felons... the whites would not have invited her on the show. Instead, she did her best Mammy or Aunt Jemima impression to act like whites are blameless and we are all in this together. Sickening to watch a black woman pimp herself to whites like that, yet again.

Latinos and Asians speak a different language, have a different culture, and different viewpoint. That must be respected by refusing to lump them in with a simple-minded white characterization called "Millenials."

It is just another way for whites to impose their viewpoint on everyone else and to dominate the conversation.



I stopped calling myself black once Obama became President.

One thing about the Wannabes and Sellouts is that they don't stand up for a DAMN thing. I do. I am not a "go-along-to-get-along"-type.

So, what are you? Wannabe parents or a Sellout?

I can see your point but it is not relevant to this issue. You are suffering from a very limited perspective. Good luck to you.

 

[mafclass]

I think Heather McGhee was on point with her views if you can get past the labels. She acknowledges how race plays a factor in socio-economic disadvantage but also digs in to the fact that we are all effected by the cast system that's in place. The white supremacy is a great tool of misdirection that gets all of us looking at the wrong people for the cause of our misfortune. Let's hope more people get hip to the game.

 

[Majestic Lion]

"Millennial" where black Americans are concerned has always been an attempt at a "post racial" categorization. It's a nice philosophical exercise that's worth exploring - in that context - but the abstract cannot outweigh the practical...so it winds up being yet more symbolism without substance in the end.

You cannot ignore history, no matter how hard you try. I'd love to see any reasoning to the contrary.

 

[black-n-tan]

"Millennial" where black Americans are concerned has always been an attempt at a "post racial" categorization. It's a nice philosophical exercise that's worth exploring - in that context - but the abstract cannot outweigh the practical...so it winds up being yet more symbolism without substance in the end.

You cannot ignore history, no matter how hard you try. I'd love to see any reasoning to the contrary.

Lets pretend the term "Millennial" was not used here, if that what your opinion is based on. In the context of this interview is was used to symbolize adults 30 and under. It has nothing to do with black and white here. Racial issues are covered too but you won't hear that if you are stuck fussing about a word. I see that the word "Millennial" is a hot button for several people here and because of that, those people are missing some pretty interesting content.

 

[nittie]

Lets not pretend. Lets ask how many all white tv shows are on the air in 2012 even though the world is 90% people of color what mind would conceive a all white world today.

 

[black-n-tan]

Lets not pretend. Lets ask how many all white tv shows are on the air in 2012 even though the world is 90% people of color what mind would conceive a all white world today.

What does that have to do with the interview? Did you even listen to it? What did you think of it?

 

[Cruise]

Lets pretend the term "Millennial" was not used here, if that what your opinion is based on. In the context of this interview is was used to symbolize adults 30 and under. It has nothing to do with black and white here. Racial issues are covered too but you won't hear that if you are stuck fussing about a word. I see that the word "Millennial" is a hot button for several people here and because of that, those people are missing some pretty interesting content.

It seems you are determined that everyone see things your way, otherwise their opinion is "irrelevant" or "limited" or "stuck" in your words.

I propose it is you that is unwilling to consider any opinion that does not hold this video in as high regard as you do.

If someone believes, from their experience, that this video is worthless garbage, it doesn't mean you are better because you think differently.

Maybe you are the one who is "irrelevant" or "limited" or "stuck" and other people are trying to get you to see beyond the packaged content in the video you posted.

Anything that seeks to describe the experiences of black people, without first addressing the elephant in the room, white supremacy, is a wasted exercise.

 

[black-n-tan]

It seems you are determined that everyone see things your way, otherwise their opinion is "irrelevant" or "limited" or "stuck" in your words.

I propose it is you that is unwilling to consider any opinion that does not hold this video in as high regard as you do.

If someone believes, from their experience, that this video is worthless garbage, it doesn't mean you are better because you think differently.

Maybe you are the one who is "irrelevant" or "limited" or "stuck" and other people are trying to get you to see beyond the packaged content in the video you posted.

Anything that seeks to describe the experiences of black people, without first addressing the elephant in the room, white supremacy, is a wasted exercise.

You are right, I am stuck. I am stuck not understanding why the word "Millennial" is so difficult for people like you to get past. Can you explain that to me? Is it the new n-word or something? It seems like you want to argue because I posted the word "Millennial" and I am, frankly, not equipped to do that. I had no idea "Millennial" had racial connotations. I just wanted to talk about economics. So the way I see it, you are stuck on the word "Millennial" and disapprove of a black woman calling herself an "Millennial" so you don't care what she is saying.

I have a kid who is a few years from going to college and I want him to be more successful than I am, but this is the situation he will have to deal with. Yes, there will be racial issues for him to deal with but I can't change that. Economic trends are economic trends. When the economy is good everyone rises, even black people. If the Republican "trickle-down experiment can be reversed", maybe that will fix things before they get worse, I don't know. So I say the economy overall, for me, trumps "white supremacy" because that will never reverse. I don't know your life experiences but since you were complaining about a $1 million tax bill in another thread, you are clearly a mufti-millionaire so white supremacy isn't affecting you much either.

That's all I have to say on this matter, at least to anyone who can't get past the word "Millennial" to discuss the economic issues of those 30 years old and under.

 

[Majestic Lion]

Lets pretend...

No. Words and substance both matter. If anyone wants to be taken seriously then they'd better learn not only how to communicate accurately but also how to reconcile the two in an honest fashion.

And I don't see why you would assume I haven't watched the video nor why you would get this defensive to no purpose, but eh. Ms McGhee has her viewpoint and she's welcome to it. That won't make the myriad assumptions that that viewpoint is based on correct.

 

[QueEx]

Your skin color obsession clouds the whole point of the interview.

Nothing he said got beyond this point.

 

[QueEx]

"Millennial" where black Americans are concerned has always been an attempt at a "post racial" categorization.

"Millennial"
How does the loose definition of a class, generally speaking, as those born during a certain age or time period, amount to "an attempt at a 'post racial' categorization" ? ? ?

What is the racial animus here ??? I admit that my investigation of the term 'millennial' is limited to a 20 minute run through the internet and that I may very well have overlooked something, but I didn't come across anything that demonstrated (1) who coined the term/phrase; (2) that it was meant to be all-inclusive; or (3) that race was a determining factor one way or the other.


"Post-Racial"
I've seen the term 'post racial' tossed around a lot since Barack Obama was elected President but I'm not certain of its intended definition. But I do share your sentiment that, whatever the various connotations of the phrase, to the extent that it is meant to define a period where race is not a factor or irrelevant, we most certainly have not reached that point.

 

[Cruise]

You are right, I am stuck. I am stuck not understanding why the word "Millennial" is so difficult for people like you to get past. Can you explain that to me? Is it the new n-word or something? It seems like you want to argue because I posted the word "Millennial" and I am, frankly, not equipped to do that. I had no idea "Millennial" had racial connotations. I just wanted to talk about economics. So the way I see it, you are stuck on the word "Millennial" and disapprove of a black woman calling herself an "Millennial" so you don't care what she is saying.

I have a kid who is a few years from going to college and I want him to be more successful than I am, but this is the situation he will have to deal with. Yes, there will be racial issues for him to deal with but I can't change that. Economic trends are economic trends. When the economy is good everyone rises, even black people. If the Republican "trickle-down experiment can be reversed", maybe that will fix things before they get worse, I don't know. So I say the economy overall, for me, trumps "white supremacy" because that will never reverse. I don't know your life experiences but since you were complaining about a $1 million tax bill in another thread, you are clearly a mufti-millionaire so white supremacy isn't affecting you much either.

That's all I have to say on this matter, at least to anyone who can't get past the word "Millennial" to discuss the economic issues of those 30 years old and under.

Okay, now I see what the problem is.

You think race is not a purely economic concept. The concept of race, specifically whites, was created to advance European economic interests for the exploitation of African labor and Native lands and resources.

Without economics, race is nothing. It becomes mere prejudice, such as preferring pretty or thin people, or avoiding broccoli.

To talk about economics, without talking about race, is a stupid discussion. Race decides how much you can borrow, where you live, what property you can own, where your kids go to school, how you are treated in the courts (which is where wealth is divided), how you are treated by the cops, how you invest, how you are paid, the quality of your health care... everything economic is first decided on what your race is.

To not discuss race, as a black person, when you are trying to plan for your economic future, is like trying to buy a house without looking inside.

Every black parent and person should either prepare their loved ones for the onslaught they will be facing in the economic world, as a black person.

And, whites have different economic levels of black people.

If you have the "light" eyes, your economic standing improves.
If you have the "light" skin, your economic standing improves.
If you have the "light" hair, your economic standing improves.

The same goes for "straight" hair, a "narrow" nose, thin lips, and high cheekbones.

When whites see a black person, they are measuring their economic worth, like a piece of meat, based on their physical appearance.

The United States has this preoccupation with race, because it is a preoccupation with social standing, class, and place in society, that is determined by economics.

The word Millenial is just a stupid word, used by whites, to confuse non-whites into thinking they are included with whites, but are yet again just economic cast-offs in a white-dominated grouping.

It never ends until someone (or preferably a group) stands up and says we don't need no whites telling us what to do, what to buy, what to eat, where to go, and how to live.

Whites have destroyed the Western Hemisphere. Yet, some are still clinging to their stupid labels. When black people reject what whites say, out of reflex, rather than believing it out of reflex, then the economic power of whites will almost be destroyed and our real freedom begins.

 

[nittie]

For 400 years whites have got away with the I come in peace approach. And they used indigenous people to enslave each other. So who would a white power structure use today to mislead people of color it certainly wouldn't be a rich white guy.

 

[QueEx]

Okay, now I see what the problem is.

You think race is not a purely economic concept.

LOL. You "assumed" that into the discussion so that you could attempt to make the rest of your non sequiturous rant appear logical.

 

[nittie]

The Black and Brown Middle Class were wiped out by the so-called recession so there are no Millennials not of color anyway. What we are witnessing is the attempted removal of people of color from the debate. We are being eliminated socially by the media, politically and economically by a banking system that targeted minorities for elimination. Our president can kill OBL, Gaddfy, remove several Arab leaders but cannot arrest one white guy responsible for condemning millions of innocent Americans to poverty and poverty is the most violent degrading thing a govt can do to it's people.

 

[black-n-tan]

Okay, now I see what the problem is.

You think race is not a purely economic concept. The concept of race, specifically whites, was created to advance European economic interests for the exploitation of African labor and Native lands and resources.

Without economics, race is nothing. It becomes mere prejudice, such as preferring pretty or thin people, or avoiding broccoli.

To talk about economics, without talking about race, is a stupid discussion. Race decides how much you can borrow, where you live, what property you can own, where your kids go to school, how you are treated in the courts (which is where wealth is divided), how you are treated by the cops, how you invest, how you are paid, the quality of your health care... everything economic is first decided on what your race is.

To not discuss race, as a black person, when you are trying to plan for your economic future, is like trying to buy a house without looking inside.

Every black parent and person should either prepare their loved ones for the onslaught they will be facing in the economic world, as a black person.

And, whites have different economic levels of black people.

If you have the "light" eyes, your economic standing improves.
If you have the "light" skin, your economic standing improves.
If you have the "light" hair, your economic standing improves.

The same goes for "straight" hair, a "narrow" nose, thin lips, and high cheekbones.

When whites see a black person, they are measuring their economic worth, like a piece of meat, based on their physical appearance.

The United States has this preoccupation with race, because it is a preoccupation with social standing, class, and place in society, that is determined by economics.

The word Millenial is just a stupid word, used by whites, to confuse non-whites into thinking they are included with whites, but are yet again just economic cast-offs in a white-dominated grouping.

It never ends until someone (or preferably a group) stands up and says we don't need no whites telling us what to do, what to buy, what to eat, where to go, and how to live.

Whites have destroyed the Western Hemisphere. Yet, some are still clinging to their stupid labels. When black people reject what whites say, out of reflex, rather than believing it out of reflex, then the economic power of whites will almost be destroyed and our real freedom begins.

Okay fine, I won't mention the "M" word. Do you think "Trickle-Down Economics" worked? Do out think its good that our parents were able to go to college on grants and we have to use loans? Do you think the Republican assault on unions is a good thing?