Isaac B. Herrin

GUEST COLUMNIST

As we all know, millennials have been a disgrace to the conservative movement. Plagued by parenting from the baby boomers who believed (still believe) that protesting without discussion will spark social change, this generation of ne’er do-well’s has officially let down the country in ways unfathomed. Watching the news, I see videos of burning down cities, torturing the mentally handicapped, and so much more and worse.

Don’t hate on me for throwing shade to millennials. I am a millennial. But I know that there is a difference between protesting and making a difference in society. Yes, my passion for the future of our government may be different than yours, but I have the courage to fight for what I want to see done, not whine for it.

All I can say in regard to the future of my movement is thank God for Generation Z.

Each generation in history has been defined by a certain event(s) during the growing-up phase that no matter what else happens, this one event will be etched into their minds for the rest of their life. This is what many scholars believe will help to define the role of politics, along with their upbringing, for the rest of their lives.

Baby Boomers are defined by the environmental extremist ideology and the Vietnam War protests that pressured the president to retract troops. Generation X is defined by the amazing presidency of Ronald Reagan, and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall. And finally, Millennials are known for the tragedy of 9/11, and the recovery, both economically and emotionally, that our country faced following the attack.

Both the Silent Generation and Generation X both typically feel left out of generational debates and studies, because they tend to be less involved with politics and less concerned with social issues. Studies show that generations skip from liberal to conservative every time we see a new generation. This paints a great picture for this next few years as we continue to focus our attention on economic policies and keeping our country safe. Another note about these generations is they typically do not join in on protests. They are engaged and well-informed, but make their statement in a voting booth rather than with a chant and a sign.

Just as Millennials are defined by how we saw 9/11, Generation Z is defined by the 2008 stock market crash and housing crisis. In 9/11, my generation saw the country get emotional with one another; the façade that our country was invincible and could never be attacked was broken, and citizens cried to one another. For the first time in a while, it was okay to cry. This sort of emotional outpouring led to what is now an emotion-fueled, protest-driven generation who still has it in their heads that our country must change the status quo socially before we can move forward economically.

The 2008 housing crisis and stock market crash was something that Generation Z did not understand at the time, but they did understand the consequences of it. Their families had less money; their friends’ families lost their homes; some of their other friends may have moved to a different city or state to make more money. Our country was a financial disaster, and the kids of Generation Z saw and recognized that. As a result, they are focused on never having to see that again.

In my opinion, Generation Z wants to see conservative policies reign true in the United States. We already know this through studies looking at the next wave of voters. They are just now coming up to the age of being able to vote, and they are most likely going to add to the “silent majority,” just as their likely parents in Generation X. Focusing on managing their money so that they do not become a product of bad investment by their parents, these kids will go to college to be pharmacists, businessmen and nurses; not to major in psychology, gender studies, and art history. And just like their parents, these kids will not engage in petty politics, or in immature protests (no matter how old you are). They will be the generation that boosts the Republican Party and the conservative movement forward, and they will be the generation that will define the future course of our great nation.

Stay political, my friends.

Isaac B. Herrin is an executive committee member to the North Carolina Republican Party, and a Junior at Western Carolina University. He can be reached at isaacbherrin@gmail.com