In response to David Roepke’s article titled “Waking up is hard to do, Gen-X lacks motivation,” I would like to defend Generation X and express my viewpoint on laziness.

Roepke writes, “I truly believe that the reason I am so lazy is because of my generation.”

I disagree.

By blaming Generation X for his laziness, Roepke not only displaces his personal responsibility, but he puts himself and his fellow classmates down. I am proud to be in Generation X, and I am also proud of my personal motivation, as well as the drive of other Generation Xers.

Just by looking at all of the great organizations on campus, it’s clear there are many hard-working students who care more about improving the world and taking action than Roepke realizes.

Later in the article, Roepke asks “What motivation do we have? Nothing new and exciting is happening in the world…” Instead of simply complaining, I suggest that Roepke muster up some personal ambition and do something about the state of the world.

Also, the reason these days there are no “exciting” events, like WW II as he claims, is because previous generations worked to improve things instead of wallowing in their own laziness.

If we care about our children and those to come after us, which we should and many of us do, then we owe it to them to take the personal initiative to make a difference.

College is a time when a people must finally do things on their own, without their parents or friends to always help them out.

If someone has a problem with this notion, perhaps he or she should find a place where he or she can be dependent on others and have no personal responsibility.

Otherwise, time spent complaining should be spent in doing something worthwhile.

As Charles Swindoll once said, “Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.”

So instead of letting the state of the world get him down, I encourage Roepke to motivate himself and take responsibility as a member of Generation X.

Maybe then he will create some things to be “excited” about and prove that the laziness of Generation X is not only a stereotype, but is also an excuse.

Jessica R. Schmidt

Freshman

Pre-chemical engineering