In November 2019, a young parliamentarian in New Zealand named Ava Chang found herself heckled by older politicians during her address on climate change. Her succinct retort? “OK, Boomer.” Following that, a senior figure from AARP Media, Nora Fields, tried to counter with, “OK, millennials. But we’re the ones who actually have the money.” Good luck with that on TikTok or Twitter, especially when many of us are drowning in student debt, struggling with exorbitant housing costs, and delaying starting families due to financial constraints. The American dream? More like a nightmare. While you reminisce about your suburban bliss and those carefree days, we’re left wondering what happened to the promise of a better future.
The backlash was swift, and AARP issued a classic “oops” apology, attempting to distance themselves from the backlash that came with their comments. You can check out the full statement on USA Today, but it’s a textbook Boomer backtrack. Yet, they continue to complain when we respond with “OK, Boomer,” as if it’s the same as using a racial slur, according to some older commentators. This is why the phrase resonates so strongly today.
Now, let’s clarify: not every Boomer fits this mold, just as not every Millennial is living in their parents’ basement while sipping lattes and scrolling through Instagram. However, many Boomers do exhibit these attitudes, much like how a significant number of Millennials lack adequate health insurance, as highlighted by Health Finance News. So spare us the virtue signaling, Karen. We’re talking about the majority here.
You’ve left us with a world that feels increasingly hostile. When we find ourselves looking back fondly on the environmental policies of Richard Nixon, we know we’re in trouble. Didn’t you loathe Nixon? Yet, here we are, longing for a time when environmental concerns were taken seriously. More than half of your generation voted for Trump, a man whose qualifications are questionable at best. You’d rather support a billionaire with a dubious history than a qualified woman simply because you disliked her husband. Thanks to your choices, we’re now grappling with the consequences.
And climate change? You might as well be called the Ostrich Generation, hiding your heads in the sand while the planet suffers. Your inaction has left my children facing a future where places like Venice may soon be lost to rising waters. But don’t worry; when the climate crisis peaks, you’ll still have your “OK, Boomer” defense while we scramble for survival on metaphorical life rafts—an image made all too real by your neglect of the issue.
Let’s Talk About What You Claim We’ve “Killed”
Here’s a quick list of things you lament losing, followed by our response: “But you NEED [insert thing here]!” OK, Boomer:
- Chain restaurants like Applebee’s
- Napkins: We prefer paper towels because we’re lazy, OK?
- Big houses: See previous note about affordability.
- Bar soap
- Cereal
- Movie theaters
- Fabric softener
- Cable news
Moreover, your attitudes toward identity are often troubling. Many older adults still oppose marriage equality and struggle to accept LGBTQ+ identities. A startling 43% of Boomers believe that being gay is a choice, and many would be upset if they had a gay child. This disconnect is alarming, and after reading studies from the Pew Research Institute, it’s clear that your views are out of touch.
So, why do we say “OK, Boomer”? It’s a gentler way of expressing frustration at your outdated perspectives and the damage they’ve caused. Sure, you might have a better lasagna recipe, but we can easily look that up.
Just do one thing for us: please, get your heads out of the sand and stop making life more difficult for the rest of us.
For more thoughts on this topic, you can read another insightful piece on our blog.
Summary
The phrase “OK, Boomer” reflects the frustration of younger generations towards older adults who seem disconnected from current realities, particularly regarding climate change, financial hardships, and social issues. While not every Boomer embodies these attitudes, a significant portion does, contributing to a generational divide and ongoing challenges for Millennials and Gen Z.