The Obama Presidency: The Triumph Of Generation X

(added intro: it has been recently pointed out that obama is actually considered to be a member of Generation Jones, the generation born between the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers (1954-1965). check out this link http://www.generationjones.com/2008election.html for more interesting details.  But in case you’re confused as to why I consider Obama’s presidency you can read this post.)

If fidelity to freedom and democracy is the code of our civic religion then surely, the code of our humanity is faithful service to that unwritten commandment that says ‘We shall give our children better than we ourselves had.’

-Josiah Bartlet, fictional President of the United States in the West Wing

There are days when I wake up in the morning and ask myself how my generation will be judged.For those of us who were born somewhere near the end of the Cold War, we are often labeled as the post-nuclear generation, the “MTV Generation”, or as it is more popularly known, Generation X.We are the generation the reaped the benefits of modern technology.We are the generation that spawned the Internet, that spread the pop-culture phenomenon and the regrettable fashion era that was the 80’s.

From Duran Duran to Nirvana, from Seinfeld to the West Wing, from That’s Entertainment to ASAP, from Bagets to Jerry Maguire, this generation has stamped a cultural legacy that is unparalleled in the history of the world since the inception of the Atomic Bomb.But for all our cultural triumphs, this generation has also been known for its decadence.With the boom if liberal idealism, the previous generation that has long been adherent to social conservatism has constantly pointed-out this generation’s lack of values and lack of adherence to the ancient values of the traditional conservative society.Yes, we challenged the establishment and we won.

The world has changed.There is no bigger evidence of this than those who watched the United States of America elect the first African-American president who ran on an almost surreal and idealistic platform of Change.By now, the pundits will tell you that the biggest factor in this historic moment was the Youth Vote.Obama won historic voter margins for Americans aged between 18-30 years old, a demographic which, if I was an American, I would have been proud to be part of.

While I concede that an Obama presidency will do little to better the fortunes for those of us who live in the Philippines, one must consider the symbolism of this historic moment.Obama, known to be a champion of liberal idealist causes, is taking the reins from George W. Bush, a remnant of the old, conservative policies that have brought about the Iraq War, the global financial crisis and the looming threat of global warming.Consider that Obama was elected largely by middle class America to steer the United States clear from the corporate cronyism largely associated with the Bush administration.In more ways than one, this is a referendum of a change from the traditional approach.A symbolism that we need to think outside of the box, or more importantly, create a new box altogether.

I realize that it is easy to be swayed by campaign rhetoric. But Obama’s ability to recognize that the road to change will not be brought about by him, but by a change in the way people live:

“I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”

-From Obama’s Victory speech in Grant Park, Chicago.

We have always looked for our leaders to bring about change.We have always expected them to remake the nation in the image that we would find acceptable.But always, we have been reluctant to be part of that change.As a result, our leaders have been content to take all the credit (and as the EDSA I and II taught us, share in the downfall).Now we recognize that the best catalyst for change is to shake ourselves out of this apathy and make something of the world. Participation is the key; to quote another writer: “Decisions are made by those who show up.”

So while the Obama presidency is a purely American phenomenon, it can be the catalyst for a global phenomenon as well.Surely, our politicians could take a page from the recent US Presidential Election and take us into a new age of political reform.Surely, this tells us that if we choose to, we can overcome the evils of traditional politics and usher our country into a new era of political reform.This is a time for our voices to be heard.

Now, more than ever, we need leaders, not politicians.Now, more than ever, we need to change the pervasive culture of corruption that has spread in our political system.Now, more than ever, we need to break free from the curse of cronyism and the incessant popularity contests our elections have invariably become.

If nothing else, the Obama presidency has put forth the idea that change is possible; that qualified candidates are electable; that we can respectfully break the bonds of tradition and look at our problems in a different way.I fully expect the ripples of this historic event to extend throughout the nations of the world.If I am a bit optimistic, please realize that like many, I have long lost faith in our system.The Obama Presidency is a beacon for many to regain their belief in the idea that real change is possible, if not immediately attainable.

It is my hope that this will be our generation’s legacy to the next generation.For so long, we have been unfairly criticized for debunking many of societies established norms.We have been unfairly judged for our decadence, apathy and rebellious streaks.While our generation will forever be personified by Kurt Cobain and the grunge era, (and I mean that with my deepest admiration for Nirvana’s front man) our legacy will always be electing Barack Obama as the leader of the free world.They say a good man can’t be elected president, maybe a Harvard Law graduate and the son of a Kenyan and a Caucasian can change their mind.Maybe, just maybe, we can bring about a generation of leaders better than we ourselves had.

I don’t expect him to be perfect.Politicians are not at all infallible.But more than the policies he chooses to enact, more than the ideals he chooses to put forth, more than the debates he will undoubtedly spark, it is my hope that the world will finally embrace the true agent behind Barack Obama’s election:

CHANGE.

This is our generation. This is our legacy.