Gen X and Social Justice

Sorry this has taken so long....life got in the way....

Freezing. Rests his head on a pillow made of concrete. Again.

Oh, Feeling maybe he'll see a little better set a days. Ooh yeah.

Oh, hand out faces that he sees time again ain't that familiar. Ooh yeah.

Oh, dark grin. He can't help when his happy looks insane. Ooh.

Just about once every three months, I find myself in downtown Seattle, walking the streets either along the waterfront by the aquarium, at the base of the stairs up to Pike Place Market, or over in Pioneer Square, or by Safeco Field.

I tell you, I miss the dome, I do. Nothing will ever replace the memories of just the phenomenal amount of noise generated in that concrete bubble.

As I walk, I will often see lonely people laying by the side of the road. Their rags stink. Their teeth are black. Their hands are often wrapped in cloths, either for warmth or as bandages. Some have signs. Some just have a cup. Some, actively ask for money. However, one thing is consistent. The people that pass by never look. The eyes that droop to see the individual are few and far between.

It seems like the musical guru for the Emergent generations is Bono from U2. Don’t get me wrong, I am a U2 fan. However, the voice of Generation X is Pearl Jam. Bono (and the Edge, Adam and Larry….credit where credit is due) makes good music. U2’s music is focused mostly on their home of Ireland, and what they’ve seen in third world countries. Bono, is of course known for his work to eradicate third world debt. I can’t commend him enough for that work.
However, I saw a video of Bono with Bill Hybels from Willow Creek Community church where he said, “You can’t call yourself a Christian if you ignore what’s going on in Africa.” He was referring to debt relief and AIDS. At that point, he lost me. I feel for the people of Africa who are suffering. Let me alter that. I feel for all of my fellow man who is suffering -- disease, famine, relationships, politics. When people suffer; when kids suffer, it breaks my heart.

Even flow. Thoughts arrive like butterflies.

Oh, he don't know so he chases them away-yeah. Ooh.

Oh, someday yet he'll begin his life again.

Life again. Life again.

I’m disconnected from Africa. The closest I’ve been to Africa is my Canadian uncle who is living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who visited South Africa for several months. That’s hardly a ringing endorsement for my experience with Africa. I am connected to Seattle. I walk the streets. I see the squalor. I see the Seattle city council decide to show mercy for a bunch of migrating starlings, yet bulldoze a “tent city” and do nothing to help the people who were deprived of the only home they had. You want to talk man’s inhumanity to man, just look at things like that. How can I call myself a Christian and not pay attention to my struggling neighbors RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE. By sending money to Africa, I am disconnected from its use. It sure feels good to see it on my tax return, but there aren’t faces to it.

Before anyone chews on me for being heartless, let me summarize the whole gist of this before I get to the end. I have been called to a ministry on U.S. shores. Specifically, I have been called to a ministry in Western Washington, one of the most unchurched, antagonistic to the gospel, least Christian places in the known world. Africa is in Africa. I am here. This is where I’m supposed to be.

Kneeling. Looking through the paper though he doesn't know to read. Ooh yeah.

Oh, praying now to something that has never showed him anything.

Oh, feeling understands the weather knows that winter’s on its way.

Oh, ceilings few and far between all the legal halls of shame. Yeah.

There are more Generation X contributors to charities like United Way than any other demographic? Why do you think that is? That’s a serious question. For the record, I don’t contribute to United Way, and I have my reasons. Mostly, it’s because my donations are “diluted” amongst a bunch of charities, and I like to focus my money based on my beliefs. So, KUDOS to United Way for the good work they do! I just choose to give elsewhere, but that’s a key. I give elsewhere.

Even flow. Thoughts arrive like butterflies.

Oh, he don't know so he chases them away.

Oh, someday yet he'll begin his life again.

Oh, whispering hands gently lead him away.

Him away. Him away.

Yeah.

Shane Claiborne of “The Simple Way” in Philadelphia had the right idea when he and a buddy went out and lived on the street to “connect” with the poor, homeless, disenfranchised people in their community. (If you haven’t read “The Irresistible Revolution” yet, pick it up and read it. It’s a must.) I am limited to the fact that I just can’t do that….yet. I have a family to support, and unfortunately need to be clean tomorrow for work. But, I admire Shane greatly. The whispering, gently hands that lead the homeless away need to be taking them to a place where they can be clean, learn a skill, get a job, begin their lives again.

When Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard wrote Even Flow (the lyrics which are scattered throughout this post), they were writing of the human condition on which I’ve commented. I see Gen Xers in the street purposely reaching into their pockets to toss a coin. More importantly, I have seen (and done this myself) Gen Xers taking a homeless guy and buying a sandwich that will last him the entire day.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, drugs, alcohol, blah, blah, blah. I don’t remember Christ saying that we are only to help our brother, as long as they aren’t going to go and buy drugs and alcohol. Define “help”? Maybe it’s not money. But there has to be something that any of us can do.

Think about it.

Tell me about your favorite experience helping someone. Any stories are good. Even if it’s making dinner for someone who just had surgery. Any story!!!

Pax,

Brad

I am Generation X

I am generation X.

My birth date fell dead in the middle of the Generation X “beginnings” and my compatriots in Gen X have gone on to help form society as it sits today. I live in Seattle, and my musical tastes fall directly into the Seattle scene and “grunge” from the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. (i.e. Pearl Jam, SoundGarden, MudHoney, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Screaming Trees, etc.) I don’t do drugs, never did. I don’t condone the use of drugs, as some of the bands mentioned did, but many of these bands embodied the nature of Gen X. Pearl Jam still does.

Wikipedia has the following to say about Gen X:

“As young adults, Generation X drew media attention in the late 1980s and early 1990s, gaining a stereotypical reputation as apathetic, cynical, disaffected, streetwise loners and slackers. As Generation Xers have now become American parents, however, their media persona is gradually becoming more that of protective security moms and dads in a post 9/11 world.

In addition, Generation X is noted as one of the most entrepreneurial and tech-friendly generations in American history, as they've driven a majority of the Internet's growth and ingenuity from day one. Amazon, Google, Yahoo, MySpace, Dell, and countless other billion-dollar tech companies were founded by American Gen Xers. Even Wikipedia itself was founded by Gen Xers”

Gen X consists of the most billionaires per capita of any age group. I’m proud to be Gen X. I’d probably be prouder if I was one of those billionaires. **GRIN**

First, a disclaimer, Wikipedia is a fine way of getting quick information, but since it is “open source” and “open publishing”, generally it should NOT BE USED as a formal reference. Please, please, please, don’t publish this in a book and claim that it is gospel! It’s just something someone anonymous said about a group of people.

So, I want to focus on something in that Wikipedia article. Note the stereotypical reputation….apathetic, cynical, disaffected, streetwise loners and slackers. That is an unfortunate, but enlightening, description. First, it is a cultural perception. And it was consistently pounded in the media of the time. Movies like “Singles” showed the societal perception as though it was a reality.

Let me tell you how I see it.

Gen X is not, and was not, apathetic. In fact, Gen Xers are some of the most passionate people I have ever met.

Gen X is disaffected. The American Heritage dictionary defines disaffected as an adjective meaning resentful and rebellious, especially against authority. Wow, that takes on a negative connotation. Try this one. Disaffected people question thinking to move thought patterns (both personal and corporate) in a new direction or to better understand current situations. THAT is Generation X.

Gen X were not and are not “streetwise loners”. Streetwise, yes. Loners, no. Gen X travels in packs. Note, not gangs. Gen X travels in groups of people with common thought, opinions and ideas, but are always willing to play “Devil’s Advocate”. (See disaffected above)

Gen X are slackers? If one begins to question the government, society, the church, and doesn’t want to be a “team player”, then they are assumed to not be passionate about anything and not want to do anything. Is it possible that they just want to do things different? The important element is “do they actually go on to do anything.”

I am Generation X. I have a voice. I have ideas. I question what I’m told. I argue until the truth is apparent, even in paradox.

I am a Christian. I have a voice. I have ideas. I question what I’m told. I argue until the truth is apparent, even in paradox.

These are just the beginnings of some thoughts that I will be expanding on in my next few posts. I just want to set the tone. I will be making some bold statements about the state of society, about reaching people who are my age, about the way the church got into the state that it is in, and perhaps even some suggestions on how to change. I will be quoting from theologians, “Gen X” musicians, and people my age. Which means that this could get down and dirty. I plan on bringing in what I'm learning in my atonement study, as well as a handful of other things.

Always looking for comments.