The following post is by Family Council staff member Christa Adams.
In 1979 Jimmy Carter spoke of the “Crisis of Confidence.” People had lost faith in the government, in their ability to change things and believed that the next five years would not be better than the previous five years. As he went on I wondered how this speech could have been from over three decades ago, because it felt like he was talking directly to me and my generation. As I watched this video of Carter speaking about low voter turnouts, I thought of the status updates that I see showing up Facebook calling young people to not vote and pictures proudly proclaiming, “Nobody for President!”
I thought of my 26-year-old friend with a college degree in business communication who proclaimed on Facebook yesterday, “I’ve quit the job hunt. I have been a waitress for eight years now. I’ve accepted that I’ll just be one until I’m 65, then I’ll retire and become a lunch lady.” Within 24 hours she had 36 “likes” and several comments agreeing with her. One comment said, “I hear ya girl! I just know I’m never getting out of this place!”
Where’s the American Dream? According to Gallup, 32% of Americans ages 18-29 are either underemployed or unemployed. Instead of graduating college and finding a job, this generation is graduating and being told to celebrate that they now have “free” birth control. This attitude simply will not do if we are thrive and make the most of our lives.
Instead of having a crisis of confidence that leads us to destructive thoughts and actions, realize that you can make a difference. Being a student of history has taught me just how radically one person can change the world. Have confidence in the mind and abilities that God has given you. Also, please vote. Your vote is your voice in our political system. Don’t let anyone snuff is out because they’ve accepted defeat.
