obama generation (op-ed) - groove korea - february 20090001

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,--.have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health careis too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day bringsfurther evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen ouradversaries and threaten our planet."

Thanks President BuzzKill!However, I can't blame him for speaking the truth on such a

historic day. It sets the stage for how he'll govern. His speechwas somber but for good reason. These challenges are seriousand this is the first time I've felt a clarion call for my generation tounite. When you study UShistory you see eras where Americansfaced both international and domestic challenges and bondedtogether, even when they didn't agree, to achieve a goal.Obama's inauguration speech tapped into that history. Hesent out the call for responsibility and sacrifice. He tethered thatcall to the history we share by being citizens of such a youngand dynamic country. In addition to a call for responsibility andsacrifice, Obama's inauguration speech tapped into a feeling

of optimism. Not only that, it tapped into a spirit thatis very American. That spirit has always been one

that dared to make the impossible possible.I've seen the results of that responsibility,sacrifice and optimism even here in

South Korea. Of course, Koreans wereinstrumental in their development aswas the help of many other countries.However, America's involvementwas key. I've had the chance tomeet US veterans who come backand marvel at the changes. I'veseen monuments to fallen soldierswho've shed their blood on Koreansoil. I've also talked American

businesspeople and employeesof non-profits who have told megreat stories about coming hereto help this country get back on

its feet. These Americans nowmarvel at its resounding success.

That American spirit and know­how was definitely exported to

South Korea.Right now with so many serious

issues in the world, with a countrythat is both trying to hold on to its prestige

and power while also trying to secure itssafety, and simultaneously trying to keep its

economy and the world economy afloat, howis it that the American people and their new

president manage to hold on so strongly to suchoptimism'? Simply put, it's part of it is our history. If

my mother and father, my grandparents and greatgrandparents could make it through such challenges

the serious challenges that theydid and flourish and we can too.Layer on top of that globalizationand a very real responsibility tonot only ourselves but to the worldat large and we've got a lot toaccomplish.

Finally, Generation X has a call toduty. Ihave that American optimismthat we will face these challengesand be better off. I'm just ecstaticthat my president and the Americanpublic agrees with me.

" I've seen the results ofthat responsibility, sacrifice

and optimism even herein South Korea. Of course,

Koreans were instrumental intheir development as was thehelp of many other countries.

By Regina Waltonexpatjane.blogspot.comexpotjone.blogspot. com I search 110 bel IExpot%20Living

Until recently, my generation had no great unifying causeor challenge. The generations before us always seemsto have some unifying event whether that was a war or ahuge economic challenge. My generation was eclipsed bythe Baby Boom generation. They were the history makinghippies, the peace protesters, Civil Rights activists,Vietnam vets and the feminists. They had the cool 60sMotown sound and rock music. They were the corporateworking girls (and guys) with power suits and Reeboks.They pursued and achieved that American dream that sayswe're all destined to be better off than our parents.

In contrast, my generation was dubbedGeneration X. What on earth does thatmean'?

I heard that term when I was incollege, but I still don't really knowwhat that means. I do, however, knowthe age group it identifies becauseI'm part of it. Why are we merelyGen X'? I think it might be becausewe have had no great challengeto unify us and, therefore, nothingto really stand for. We've beenlabeled a self-centered andfickle group. While we are moreeducated than our parents,we're the generation that hasreversed the trend of Americangenerations being better offthan their parents.

Until recently, we didn't havea great war and we lived inrelative economic bliss whencompared to those who camebefore us. However, after eight yearsof an administration that will probablygo down in history as one of the worstin American history, we now have thatgreat war, the war on terror, and we'refacing the greatest economic meltdownsince the Great Depression.

Now we finally have both a unifying causeand a huge challenge. The question is how willwe meet them'?

Obama started off hisinauguration speech with thesesomber facts, "That we are inthe midst of crisis is now wellunderstood. Our nation is at war,against a far-reaching networkof violence and hatred. Oureconomy is badly weakened,a consequence of greed andirresponsibility on the part of some,but also our collective failure tomake hard choices and preparethe nation for a new age. Homes

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