In her article “What is it About 20-Somethings?” New York Times writer Robin Marantz Henig claimed that our generation is “taking too long to grow up.” We are no longer following the American Dream-paved trajectory of success. We can’t seem to move out of our parents’ houses, secure jobs or even get married.
As American 20-somethings, it would seem that we’ve been handed the world — and that we should know how to handle it. In spite of this — or perhaps as a result of it — we are straying from the path and inventing new ways to live and get by. And yet, we are being punished for our rebellion. By not participating in the life expected of us, our rights as Americans are being restricted. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are now in short supply.
We’ve inherited an economic depression, and now we’re graduating from massively expensive colleges without any job prospects in sight — left only to create as many blogs as possible before our unpaid internships run out. When that doesn’t work, our parents or the insurance companies cut off our health insurance and we’re left to pay thousands out-of-pocket for medical care.
The American Dream is not just out of reach for the average 20-something. Try being an undocumented immigrant and leading a life in which these rights are not only unattainable, but illegal. While our government shoots down progressive policies such as the DREAM Act, its constituents are left to fight for rights in a country that supposedly prides itself on its ability to provide.
According to Kait Hulbert’s article, “Idle Worship of Celebrities”, the week that Kim Kardashian got married, the Google search rate for “Kim Kardashian” was ten times higher than that of “Libya.” Yes, that’s embarrassing. But are our generation’s tech and entertainment addictions the only things at fault for our trend of celebrity obsession? Or is this the result of the world that we’ve inherited?
In this issue, Buzzsaw breaks down the modern 20-something and discovers that most of us are growing up. We’re just doing it in different ways. So keep doing the internship thing, keep being confused at what you’re supposed to be doing each day and keep occupying whatever the hell is pissing you off. We’ll figure it out. We always do.
The TCAT Fight by Pete Blanchard
Union battle, fare increases and budget cuts for Ithaca’s bus service
Tongue-Tied with Tenure by Alyssa Figueroa
The complexities of job security and free speech at Ithaca College
Mystery Meat by Meagan McGinnes
Student sustainability activists challenge Sodexo and push for real local, sustainable dining at Ithaca College with the Slow Food movement