Why Gen X is the real loser generation: the Economist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

If you think the main racism in the country right now is directed anywhere other than working class Hispanic immigrants and African Americans of all class levels, then you must be living in a different community and reading a dinner newspaper than I am.

I mean, they are literally rounding Hispanic up and putting them in tents in a swamp incommunicado.

[Anonymous]

Should be different and not dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

If you think the main racism in the country right now is directed anywhere other than working class Hispanic immigrants and African Americans of all class levels, then you must be living in a different community and reading a dinner newspaper than I am.

I mean, they are literally rounding Hispanic up and putting them in tents in a swamp incommunicado.

That's not what I said. I said that the narrative is focusing on the working class, but there is also backlash against the UMC immigrants and policies that will reduce immigrants like PP and my parents. The latter, I think, is born out of resentment over the disproportionate success of certain non-white immigrant groups.

It is easier for MAGA to spin a narrative around undocumented immigration and people who are low income...but they are targeting all immigration. So the stories of immigrant success that many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s are familiar with are not necessarily what the immigrant experience, even for highly educated immigrants, is going to be in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

If you think the main racism in the country right now is directed anywhere other than working class Hispanic immigrants and African Americans of all class levels, then you must be living in a different community and reading a dinner newspaper than I am.

I mean, they are literally rounding Hispanic up and putting them in tents in a swamp incommunicado.

That's not what I said. I said that the narrative is focusing on the working class, but there is also backlash against the UMC immigrants and policies that will reduce immigrants like PP and my parents. The latter, I think, is born out of resentment over the disproportionate success of certain non-white immigrant groups.

It is easier for MAGA to spin a narrative around undocumented immigration and people who are low income...but they are targeting all immigration. So the stories of immigrant success that many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s are familiar with are not necessarily what the immigrant experience, even for highly educated immigrants, is going to be in the future.

Didn’t read the whole thread but isn’t the VP informed by his wife? (From the demographic I think you’re discussing)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

If you think the main racism in the country right now is directed anywhere other than working class Hispanic immigrants and African Americans of all class levels, then you must be living in a different community and reading a dinner newspaper than I am.

I mean, they are literally rounding Hispanic up and putting them in tents in a swamp incommunicado.

That's not what I said. I said that the narrative is focusing on the working class, but there is also backlash against the UMC immigrants and policies that will reduce immigrants like PP and my parents. The latter, I think, is born out of resentment over the disproportionate success of certain non-white immigrant groups.

It is easier for MAGA to spin a narrative around undocumented immigration and people who are low income...but they are targeting all immigration. So the stories of immigrant success that many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s are familiar with are not necessarily what the immigrant experience, even for highly educated immigrants, is going to be in the future.

Didn’t read the whole thread but isn’t the VP informed by his wife? (From the demographic I think you’re discussing)

I don't know what you mean. Usha Vance does not set immigration policy, AFAIK. Nor does her DH, though he has certainly opined on it...and his opinions go against prior trends to bring more skilled immigrants to the US (e.g. limiting H1Bs). I'm not here to get into a policy debate about what we should do. I'm only pointing out that things are likely to change in terms of economic opportunities for *all* immigrants, not just undocumented and/or working class immigrants.

I'm a Xennial and child of immigrants. My spouse can trace part of his ancestry back to the Mayflower. We're UMC in that we both work, but we are UC in terms of wealth/income. But many of the things that made our financial success possible are changing, most notably federal support for academic research since we both have PhDs. It's really unclear what the next generation's opportunities are going to look like, but from where I sit things seem to be going in a direction that will shrink overall growth...and I say that believing that a lot of reform, including of academic research, was needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

I agree with this. Oddly, many white and Asian people miss this. Indian immigrants don’t seem to realize that white republicans will never see them as equals. East Asian immigrants tend to support Trump but don’t realize his party is coming for them too. White UMC parents will react with shock when their high stats legacy kid doesn’t get into their college and cry foul that their kid lost his seat due to African American affirmative action. They look right over the fact that AA enrollment has stayed about the same while Asians have quadrupled and are taking 30-40% of the spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

If you think the main racism in the country right now is directed anywhere other than working class Hispanic immigrants and African Americans of all class levels, then you must be living in a different community and reading a dinner newspaper than I am.

I mean, they are literally rounding Hispanic up and putting them in tents in a swamp incommunicado.

I'm Hispanic and well more than half of all relatives are. We are glad they are catching the illegals and deporting them. They really should be imprisoning them and making them work off their theft and B&E.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Gen-X. Being honest, that article bored me. No I haven’t become more conservative. No I didn’t vote Trump, ever.

Anyway, I will eventually leave this earth knowing that my generation produced and experienced the best music ever.

More GenX voted for Trump than boomers. We totally suck. I’m ashamed of my fellow white GenX. What happened to live and let live? A damn shame.

Even more immigrants and millennials and zoomers voted for Trump. It's a trend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Gen-X. Being honest, that article bored me. No I haven’t become more conservative. No I didn’t vote Trump, ever.

Anyway, I will eventually leave this earth knowing that my generation produced and experienced the best music ever.

More GenX voted for Trump than boomers. We totally suck. I’m ashamed of my fellow white GenX. What happened to live and let live? A damn shame.

Even more immigrants and millennials and zoomers voted for Trump. It's a trend.

They may have voted in higher numbers than in the past, but your assertion of “even more” is incorrect. GenX voted in the highest numbers for Trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gen X has been parenting themselves since they were 7. Sure they’ll figure it out.

This is so true! My mom used to leave legal sized notepad for us with chores to do afterschool - we'd find it by our cheerios when we woke up in the morning. She was already at work ...

You got legal pads? So fancy! We got the back of an old envelope.

+1.

[Anonymous]

I was born in 1976. I love being late Gen X. Growing up in the 80s, high school and college in the 90s. I started earning good money right after the dot com burst so had that good run up, but yet wasn't wealthy enough to "lose everything" in the Great Recession. We went to college when it was still somewhat reasonably priced and not so difficult to get into great colleges. We have earned really well and our investments have done really well since 2009. I was able to buy my first house at a good time and have traded up since then. Good music, now we have nice HS kids and our parents are still alive (luckily!), but as very late Silent Generation / very early Boomers, we do stand to inherit a sizeable amount from them. But I especially thought coming of age in the 90s was so great. It was such a peaceful and prosperous time, at least in my memory, filled with optimism and promise. I have never voted for a Republican except one in a local election primary to prevent the MAGA type candidate from winning. Definitely never voted for Trump. I don't see people my age or slightly older as whiney at all. Most of them are quite accomplished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not White, we are first gen immigrants and we are not Christians. Nothing of the generational stereotypes are true for us. We are Gen X and we have done well in every sphere of our life. Our kids are Gen Z and they are the most motivated kids I have seen.

America is amazing! I'm enjoying the comments in this thread from successful immigrants of color. Goes to show that despite all the fashionable claims to the contrary, the USA is truly a land of equal opportunity, regardless of skin color.

As an African immigrant who spent years in Europe, I wish many of the liberals in this country who always use Europe as a sort of "paradise" knew about the glass ceiling migrants face there. Despite graduating near the top of my class from one of the best engineering school in France I was quickly reminded that as an African im destined to be another regular engineer like anyone else.

I moved to the US wow. My career took off like a rocket.

And soon they will force you to go back to Africa. Or send you to El Salvador or wherever.

Maybe. I am not Nostradamus. But there is no place in the world where migrants can have the kind of success they do outside their countries like the United States. Nobody ever said that here is no racism in the United States. It exists. But American corporations pay for talent regardless of their ethnic origin. At least it's been my experience, I cannot speak for everyone.

NP, and a Xennial child of immigrants. I think historically this has been true, especially for for well-educated immigrants, in the US. They experience racism if they aren't white/European, but they have had a lot of opportunities for growth that they would not have experienced elsewhere. That includes Canada vs the US, because my parents did also consider emigrating to Canada in the 70s.

What I think we are seeing now, however, is a backlash against immigration in general. While the focus in the narrative is around undocumented, low-skilled immigrants, the policies are broader and would impact immigration across the board. It's coming, IMO, from a perception that non-Americans are taking all the spoils of our economy: education, high-paying jobs, nice housing and neighborhoods, etc. And there is particular resentment for Asian and African immigrants and their kids who are disproportionately represented in the UMC.

Anyway, it's hard to know how the current set of policies will play out...but that's my observation as an Asian-American. The racism is more pronounced in certain ways now than when I was growing up...and I grew up in a much less diverse area and much less liberal state than where I live now. The truly overt racism is no longer acceptable, but it's taking a different form now that looks a lot more like white, Christian nationalism to me.

I agree with this. Oddly, many white and Asian people miss this. Indian immigrants don’t seem to realize that white republicans will never see them as equals. East Asian immigrants tend to support Trump but don’t realize his party is coming for them too. White UMC parents will react with shock when their high stats legacy kid doesn’t get into their college and cry foul that their kid lost his seat due to African American affirmative action. They look right over the fact that AA enrollment has stayed about the same while Asians have quadrupled and are taking 30-40% of the spots.

White Republican voter -

No idea what you're babbling about. The rate of intermarrying between white and Asian and South Asian UMC kids is high. Vivek is on track to be elected governor of Ohio, that quintessential Lean Republican state. South Carolina and Louisiana both elected South Asians as governors.

It's clear you have a specific view and are crafting a narrative to fit it. In the real world, it's quite different. The tensions between new immigrant groups and existing populations is as old as America and is deeply interwoven in American history. Resentment will always be found. Nothing new here. But where Democrats and progressives fail is by hyperfocusing on a small minority who lash out in the name of racial grievance is that there is a much bigger population who genuinely are concerned about things like border security and not having millions of illegal migrants walk across in a single year (no country on earth likes this!). Most Americans, white and black and Asian and Hispanic, live pretty well with each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More overseas "generation" propaganda, to keep Americans and westerners in-fighting eh?

You spies are really way behind the times with your tired old PSYOPs.

The Economist, overseas propaganda?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Gen-X. Being honest, that article bored me. No I haven’t become more conservative. No I didn’t vote Trump, ever.

Anyway, I will eventually leave this earth knowing that my generation produced and experienced the best music ever.

+100
That’s why it’s still heard everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gen X are life losers. I remember thinking when the TV show Thirty Something came on, never watched it btw, that Gen X were thirty nothings.
Sure they are Trumpers to blame somebody else.

My God, how old are you that you remember the tv show Thirtysomething, but have no clue what generation it was about?