Friday, February 20, 2004

by Jeffrey Merkle, Contributor
and Jonathan Ference, Living and Arts Editor

Jack-of-many-trades William Strauss spoke to a crowd of about 45
last night in Science Center 101 about how current college students are
uniquely poised for power as the leaders of a new generation. Strauss,
a member of Capitol Steps–the widely popular political revue that
performed to a sell-out crowd last semester–is also the father of
Becky Strauss ’06. In his lecture, he set about explaining his theories
about how what he calls the “Millenials”, or people born after roughly
1980, are in a strangely unique, powerful and different position.

Strauss spent a significant portion of time explaining just why, and
subsequently, how the Millenials are differentiated from other
generations. He clearly separated them from Generation X, and a large
portion of his talk had to do with the ramifications of the
interactions between the parents–the Baby Boom generation–and the
Millenials.

Part of the power Strauss felt this generation would be accorded
comes from how close the generation is to those parents, who have
afforded them more influence in purchasing, thus gaining economic
power. Major differences from Generation X included the rise of girls
in academics (4 of 7 college students are now girls) and a focus on
achieving more and more as opposed to “not failing”–i.e., don’t be
satisfied with getting a college education, make it Ivy League and push
it farther. Strauss also noted the influence of different cultural
values on each generation; he cited Latino and Asian values as becoming
particularly influential on the Millenials as these two minorities gain
size.

In drawing parallels between the generations, Strauss said that the
Baby Boomers faced a gender divide; Generation X faced a race division,
and now the Millenials are facing a monetary divide as a primary
problem. He cited the fact that people over the age of 60 are the most
affluent age bracket, noting that current political programs favor the
elder generations.

Strauss then connected this in a very adamant charge to the
audience, as a generation, to find a focus and to become cognizant of
the fact that the potential for unprecedented power is present. He
cited the parental control of funds as the major roadblock and was not
at all afraid of phrasing his statements in a tone that set up the
relationship between the two generations as a “you versus us” situation.

A question and answer period allowed the audience to interact with
the speaker. One particular roused a very spirited response from
Strauss: when a student asked about the Millenials’ perceived need to
“relax from the river of… mass media,” he responded very vigorously
that the new generation’s time has just come, and it needs to get to
work: “Last time I checked, Generation Millenials are not retiring,
they’re just now entering the job market.”

Strauss’ manner of tracing the social factors that, in his opinion,
have positioned his “Millenials” on the verge of gaining power as a
generation was enthusiastic and passionate. If Strauss’ theories hold
true, then the students who attended his lecture have had their eyes
opened to the roles they can one day fill if they chose to become aware
of the power they might yield.

*****

by Jonathan Ference
Living and Arts Editor

Perhaps this writer needs to follow his own advice about staying
safe–he ended up rounding up last weekend in a hospital. Number one
cool thing suggested for you this weekend: DON’T DO THAT. Other than
that, kiddos, it’s time to pretend you’re not on a collision course
with midterms and kick back. That’s what the weekend’s for, after
all…running from your work with your tail between your legs. That
said, grab some water and soap: it’s time to get washed up with the
weekend roundup!

This event, though originally designed for kids, is just too cool to
pass up mentioning. It’s a “Learn to Eat Bugs Safely” lesson from 10-3
on Saturday at the Philadelphia Insectarium. Rather than attempt to
make too many jokes–there’s far too many available–I’ll just let you
know that the Insectarium is located at 8046 Frankford Avenue in
Philly. Give them a call at 215-338-3000. Curiosity will get the better
of you on this one and you’ll go. I know it.

* The city of San Francisco sued the state of California yesterday
in attempts to abolish laws restricting marriage to straight couples.
Dennis Herrera, San Francisco’s City Attorney argued that these laws
violated California’s equal protection clause, which bans
discrimination based on sexual orientation. The suit is also aimed at
Proposition 22, which restricts marriage to a man and a woman.
Proposition 22 became law in 2000 after it was overwhelmingly approved
by voters. Since last week, over 3,000 gay couples have been married
after Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered city clerks to issue them marriage
licenses. The city has also filed suit against two conservative family
values groups that have been trying to block the same-sex marriage
licenses.

* The US government said yesterday that it would be sending a
military team to Haiti to assess security, and that it would be open to
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide stepping down in order to prevent
further attacks. For over a week, armed rebel forces have been battling
the Haitian police force in attempts to gain control of the government.
American officials have failed thus far in attempts to persuade
Aristide to reach a political settlement. Citing the violent uprisings,
the US government has recommended that all non-government Americans in
Haiti should leave the country, and has imposed a curfew on the
Americans still remaining there.

* The Dutch government refused to back down on Thursday amidst
complaints that their asylum expulsion law is too harsh. The law, which
was passed on Tuesday, will require all rejected asylum seekers who
arrived before April 2001 to leave the country. There are currently
about 26,000 such people currently residing in the Netherlands, the
majority from war-torn areas like Afghanistan and Somalia. The
government granted amnesty to about 2,000 asylum seekers who would be
put into serious danger if they were required to return home. While the
law has garnered protest from numerous civil rights groups, it has been
well received in working-class areas threatened by high levels of
unemployment.

*****

Friday:

Lecture: “People of African Descent and the HIV/AIDS Pandemic”
Scheuer Room, 1:00 p.m.

New Musical Reading: Anasazi
Kohlberg 115, 1:00 p.m.

Shabbat Services
Bond, 5:30 p.m.

Cooper Lecture: Frederick Wiseman, Exploration of American Institutions
LPAC Cinema, 7:30 p.m.

Movie Screening: Kill Bill
Science Center 101, 7:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.

Anime Club Screening: Revolutionary Girl Utena Pt. II
Kohlberg 228, 9:00 p.m.

“Love Stories” Screening: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Location TBD, 10:00 p.m.

Olde Club Show: Broken Social Scene and Elefant
Olde Club, 10:00 p.m.

Saturday:
Islam Discussion Groups
Kohlberg 228, 3:00 p.m.

Movie Screening: Kill Bill
LPAC Cinema, 7:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.

Directing Night of Scenes
Frear Ensemble Theatre, 8:00 p.m.

Open Mic Night/Rock Show
Olde Club, 10:00 p.m.

Sunday:
Quaker Meeting
Quaker Meeting House, 10:00 a.m.

Catholic Mass
Bond, 11:00 a.m.

Directing Night of Scenes
Frear Ensemble Theatre, 2:00 p.m.

Orchestra 2001
Lang Concert Hall, 3:00 p.m.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

Today:
Swimming at CC Championships at F&M

Tomorrow:
Swimming at CC Championships at F&M
Women’s Basketball hosts Gettysburg, 2:00 p.m.
Men’s Tennis hosts Saint Joseph’s, 3:00 p.m.
Men’s Basketball hosts Gettysburg, 4:00 p.m.

Sunday:
Swimming at CC Championships at F&M
Indoor Track at Haverford, 11:00 a.m.

[note: Thursday badminton results were not available at press time]

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The more one knows, the more one comprehends, the more one realizes
that everything is a circle.”
–Goethe

*****

Interested in reporting or writing for the Gazette?
Got a news or sports tip for us?
Just want to tell us what you think?

Contact the staff at daily@swarthmore.edu

The Daily Gazette is published Monday through Friday by an
independent group of Swarthmore College students. The Daily Gazette Web
Site is updated regularly, as news happens. Technical support from the
Swarthmore College Computer Society is gratefully acknowledged.