Tom Beaudoin's book on Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X includes a long list of cultural events that defined Gen X - MTV, video games, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Challenger explosion, AIDS, etc. In Googling God Mike Hayes adds some defining events for Millennials: 9/11, the many school shootings (Columbine, Virginia Tech), natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the recent tsunami. Both authors argue that each generation's cultural events define their experience and expression of religion and spirituality.
I'm interested to know what cultural events you think define your generation - whatever your age. I remember my parents talking about where they were when JFK was shot. Now I hear peers recount "their" September 11th stories each year on the anniversary. We all remember those moments that shook us, no matter how far removed we might have seemed from the event itself.
So what trends, tragedies, or pivotal moments define you as a Baby Boomer? A Gen Xer? A Millennial? (Click on the "comments" link right below to share your thoughts!)
5 comments:
As a Gen Xer I think the Internet has been the most significant trend in my young life. On a personal note- Meeting my bicycle for the first time was quite an exceptional moment.
The Challenger was a huge event... and I remember watching the Iran Contra hearings, too. Everything that surrounded the Soviet Union and Gorbachev coming to Minnesota were some others. Of course, there was Ryan White and his story - and more close to home, Jacob Wetterling's abduction.
As someone who fits into a gen xer and millenial, i identify with
*the Challenger explosion
*The Berlin Wall coming down
*The Drug War being declared
*The introduction of internet/emails (revolutionary!)
*The Desert Storm
*9/11
*The War in Iraq
*Hurricane Katrina
*The Minneapolis Bridge collapse
I agree with all the ones you listed so far. I'd say:
- 9/11
- VA Tech shooting
- 2000 "Election"
- Hurricane Katrina
- Desert Storm
- The OJ Simpson car chase / Trial / verdict
- Magic Johnson announcing he had AIDS
ooh, the 2000 Presidential election definitely.
also
- War on Terror
- El Nino, severe tropical weather, and other global climate shifts
- Pope Benedict XVI
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