Digital Marketing

OK Boomer – OK Millennial – Can’t we just get along?

Have you heard or seen the two words that seem to be everywhere these days: “OK Boomer”?

This catchphrase has quickly gained traction this fall across the internet with “OK Boomer” memes, jokes, and merchandise. In fact, several trademark applications have been filed for its use, notably one from Fox for a TV show last week.

This whole “OK Boomer” thing supposedly took on a life of its own after a viral clip on TikTok showed a white-haired man in a baseball cap and polo shirt declaring, “Millennials and Generation Z have Down syndrome.” from Peter Pan, they never want to grow up”.

Of course, the younger crowd was outraged, and many responded with YouTube videos, memes, and tweets featuring two simple words: “OK Boomer.”

What exactly does this expression mean? It depends who you ask.

According to Wikipedia, “OK Boomer is a discriminatory catchphrase and Internet meme that gained popularity throughout 2019 and is used to dismiss or mock attitudes stereotypically attributed to the baby boomer generation.”

If you ask the younger generation what they mean by “OK Boomer,” they’ll probably tell you that they feel misunderstood by the older generation and are tired of their condescending attitude. Faced with mounting student loan debt, financial instability and environmental concerns, they are wary of patronizing advice from baby boomers who didn’t face the same problems at their age. The younger generation is tired of being called “snowflakes,” implying that they can’t hold down a job, aren’t resilient, and are overly emotional when it comes to challenging points of view.

Baby boomers have a different version of the phrase. Many are quick to point out that the slogan, “OK Boomer,” smacks of ageism. A conservative radio host, Bob Lonsberry, went so far as to label the word “boomer” as “the n-word for ageism” in a controversial tweet.

The New York Times headlined an article on the subject: “OK Boomer Marks the End of Friendly Generational Relations.”

Say it’s not like that.

Okay, I don’t like the phrase, “OK Boomer.” The catchphrase sounds dismissive, sarcastic, mocking, and sadly decisive at a time when this country is already being torn apart by differing views on politics. And it does look aged, hinting that baby boomers are old-fashioned, resistant to change, behind in technology, and out of touch. As a boomer myself, I disagree with those assumptions.

But in all fairness, I can see why the younger generation is upset by some of the insulting jabs directed their way. They have felt silenced when older people say their opinion doesn’t count because they lack experience. Many millennials are in their 30s now and tired of being told to “grow up.” The younger generation deserves to be recognized and heard. Unfortunately, while fighting back, this generation is using the same derogatory age-oriented stereotypes that they don’t want to be labeled with.

So let’s stop it. All of us. Let’s stop using insulting and derogatory slogans based solely on the generation people were born into, which, by the way, is completely out of our control.

Let’s close the gap. After all, we have many of the same problems. For example, it’s true that much of the younger generation is buried in student loan debt. But many boomers are also in debt, filing for bankruptcy in record numbers while facing rising medical costs, job losses and disappearing pensions. We are all in the same boat. Can’t both generations show compassion and empathy for each other?

Let’s go one step further. Perhaps we boomers can admire, and even imitate, some of the traits that young people have, such as a sense of adventure, spontaneity, and curiosity. Perhaps the younger generations can learn from the older ones who have experienced tragedies and triumphs and have learned to overcome adversity.

After all, what benefits are there from hurling insults at each other? Let’s respect and learn from each other instead.

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