Ok Boomer

Millennials and Generation Z have coined the term “okay Boomer” to call out individuals who exhibit traits of the stereotypical Baby Boomer. This includes any behavior or opinions that seem outdated.

“I think some people want to take it back to the 50s, when people [tried to erase] the progress made with racial equality, LGBT, you name it,” said former English teacher and current substitute Gary Gardner who identifies himself as a Baby Boomer. “The boomer generation has grown and have said ‘we’ve got ours now, so let’s just not rock the boat,’ which doesn’t make much sense to me.”

The phrase “okay Boomer” is giving the older generations an idea of the marginalizations they have pushed onto their generational successors.

As time progresses and technology advances, our morals and ideals change. This affects our society as a whole. However, Millennials argue that when people express old-fashioned and generally close-minded beliefs, it lowers the spirits of the community.

When generations use stereotypes and force people into boxes, it causes conflict and a drift between communities.

“[The older generation] can be rude and close-minded so people have started to say ‘ok Boomer,” said freshman Cory Coulson. 

Even as a Baby Boomer, Gardner admits he’s not thrilled with the politics and world view of many of his peers.

“Now things are worse than ever and younger people are looking up at my generation saying ‘Ok, Boomer, you talked a good talk but you haven’t done much,’” said Gardner.

Some of the viewpoints the Baby Boomer generation (in general- Gardner being a clear exception) conflicts with younger opinions socially, politically, and environmentally.

“Too many of them are denying climate change,” said Gardner. “The science is there. Any reputable scientist not being funded by special interests said the rate of the ice shelf falling off Greenland has gotten colossally larger in the last few years.”

In order to grow and meet the ever changing needs of our world, the generations are going to have to work together. If we could change the “ok Boomer” meme into “ok Boomer, let’s talk” and start cross generational conversations we might make some headway.