I believe there are many changes and challenges facing those of my
generation. Today, our lives are not as secure as they were even a few
years ago. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 surely changed our
lives forever, but many other facets of our lives today foreshadow changes
today and in the future, such as the changing way American's look at
religion, and the ease with which we communicate with nameless, faceless
individuals around the world via the Internet and telecommunications. Our
world is much larger than it was even a decade ago, and yet, our worldview
has not really changed accordingly. We still see ourselves as somehow
"superior" to others in the world - as if it is our "right" to nurture or
defend them. I believe one of the greatest challenges facing my
generation, and generations of the future is how to blend our worldview
with our nationalism. We must attempt to understand and accept those of
different cultures and faiths much more than we do today. There is still
so much hatred and violence in the world, and most of it is based on
different belief systems. If our world is going to be successful then the
people must learn to get over their differences and learn to respect each
other for who and what they are. If we do not settle our differences, we
could face global warfare on a massive and deadly scale that could doom us
all.
I believe there are other challenges facing my generation that we have
great control over. Our society has changed drastically in the last 50 or
so years. Today, the family does not take such a prominent role in
society. I think my generation, if we care enough, has the ability to
change that. We give importance to material possessions and wealth in our
society, while we place much less importance and value on family and
neighborhood. We are often afraid of our neighbors as well as those beyond
our country's borders. We do not know whom ...