by Leigh Perry / Toni L.P. Kelner
As I sat down to write this, my older daughter Maggie's was in the basement pouring silicon over a clay sculpture of a wolf to create a mold. Once it cures, she'll be mixing up resin to pour into the mold to make a wolf figurine. Then she'll add a custom paint job. Earlier, she was drawing storyboards to add to her portfolio. My younger daughter was at her keyboard practicing a song she wrote, and then moved on to cover "Believer" from Imagine Dragons. Most of the day, she spent drawing on her iPad.
Now I'm not writing this to brag on my daughters. Well, not only to brag on my daughters, though I'm always happy to do that. It just occurs to me that despite the reputation of members of the so-called Millennial Generation, the ones I've run into are some seriously hard-working and creative people.
Don't just look at my girls as examples. When I was at Boskone this weekend, I ran into a 19-year-old woman who'd finished a fantasy novel and was looking for advice for improving it with an eye toward publication. Her twin sister writes poetry.
Then there are Maggie's friends. The three people she's going to be moving in with soon? One is a comic book artist who specializes in coloring, but can produce an entire book himself. Another is finishing up a degree in sequential arts. The third has studied both animation and comics. They all have day jobs, but in their free time, they create comic book anthologies and sell custom artwork at conventions. One of her other friends just got a job as an animator for a PBS station. She's working on prints to sell, too.
Okay, maybe this is a biased sample in terms of creativity--Maggie met them all when she was in art school herself--but their willingness to work hard is pretty representative of her friends. One is getting a teaching degree to go with her geology degree so she can teach, has a day job in retail, takes art commissions over the web, and creates her own fantasy costumes. Another is finishing her degree, waitressing, and doing historical recreations on the Lexington, MA town green. One regularly blogs detailed reviews of anime.
Valerie's friends? From her high school are the drama kids. While finishing their senior year at high school--and applying to colleges--they work backstage on the schools' three shows a year. One of them stage manages both at their school and in community productions. Then there are the kids she knows from live-action role-play. They create their own costumes, design games, write, and draw--all around going to school and sometimes working jobs, as well.
Look, I remember who I was at that age. While I dreamed of being a professional writer, I promise you that I did not work nearly as hard on my craft back then as they do, and none of my friends did, either. Honestly, I don't think I work that hard now.
So next time you see an article or meme about lazy, entitled Millennials, do what I do. Think of these creative young people, cheer them on, and blow a loud raspberry at people who don't know them the way we do.
Great post, Toni! And I agree. I see lots of folks in my classes who are driven, determined, and creative--creative, critical thinkers whether actually involved in creative endeavor or not!
Posted by: Art Taylor | February 21, 2018 at 06:19 AM
Just like every stereotype, there are those who do prove it, and those who prove the exact opposite. It's why stereotypes are so bad.
And honestly, I think some of the flack that millenials get is actually just toward college age in general. But again, I'm stereotyping.
Posted by: Mark | February 21, 2018 at 08:41 AM
Most of the young people I know are working more than one job, and some are also helping to support parents or other relatives. Truthfully, I didn't even know that there were stereotypes of "lazy" millennials! I don't know any!
DebRo
Posted by: Deb Romano | February 21, 2018 at 09:54 AM
Awesome post.Thanks a lot for sharing with us
Posted by: Escape Place | February 22, 2018 at 07:38 AM
Good post, Toni. I'm in South Florida, and awed by the 17-year-olds in the Parkland high school shootings. These kids are smart, poised and articulate -- much smarter than I was at their age.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | February 23, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Hi Toni,I am so grateful for your article. Really Cool. Thanks Again..
Posted by: Encore Uniform | February 27, 2018 at 07:38 AM