April 23, 2023 | Issue #65

1 Quote. 1 Reflection. 1 Question.

1 Quote.

"For better or for worse, your generation has been appointed by history to deal with those problems and to lead America toward a new age. You have the chance never before afforded to any people in any age."

 -From: Lyndon B. Johnson 
-Source: The Great Society Speech, 1964

1 Reflection.

This quote comes from one of the most famous speeches in American history, the "Great Society Speech" given at the University of Michigan's Commencement in 1964. The Great Society program was a series of laws aimed to address the social programs facing America at the time. It was the largest social reform plan in modern history. Although many of the Great Society programs were eliminated, some still exist today including Medicare and Medicaid. It was then, at the University of Michigan in 1964 that Johnson introduced his new bold idea and coined the phrase "Great Society".

This quote may sound strange to you because here we have a leader who is telling students to point the finger at themselves, not the world. For the past few years, our culture has been telling young people they have been treated unfairly and oppressed by the world. They are told that their adult world will be worse than the one their parents lived in.  

Even if true, does it help telling people this?—especially people in high school or university?

If perspective is everything, isn't there another way to send the message? 

Well, yes there is and Johnson did just that. America was going through a number of issues at the time of this speech—The Kennedy assassination, the Cold War, civil rights, and environmentalism to name a few. Currently, our generation is facing big issues, some new, some old.

Our parents didn't deal with issues like social media, school shootings, crime-filled cities, the need for eco-friendly production, or geo-political trade balance.

Does this mean we should scream unfairness and point fingers? No.

It means we have a calling, a new chance, a new opportunity. These complex issues of our time give us a chance to flex our brains and think critically. They give us a chance to practice deeper empathy because that's what's needed to talk to people who come from different countries and backgrounds. They give us a chance to innovate more in hopes of making our planet cleaner. They give us a chance to be friendlier to people in hopes of preventing the next school shooting. 

This is our time, and there will never be a time like it. Will we rise to the occasion with grace and strength, or fall in frustration and blame?

1 Question.

What is one cause you are passionate about?