Song of the Week:
Funny by: BenƩt ft. Teddy Meanface
This is Reality
Welcome to The Unfinished Times, where today, I feel compelled to get something off my chest. Like many of my fellow Gen- Z peers, we find ourselves amidst what is our first Great Depression. While the government hasnāt officially acknowledged this, the weight of the economic strain is unbearable. Job opportunities grow increasingly scarce, gas prices surge, the cost-of-living skyrockets with widespread layoffs loom, and the yen plummets drastically. Throughout this tumult, the corporate sphere of America holds its expectations of us beyond measure. Yet, they got another thing coming because when it comes to me versus the corporate, I am always choosing me.
F*ck Professionalism
The prevailing narrative of pursuing higher education, I thought, was the only quintessential pathway to success in life. Going to get higher education secured your position in this social and economic ladder of America they said. Having witnessed both parents not having a degree and making tough sacrifices to put their children forward was evident to me to become the first. And like many low-income students we were in a position of few choices so, as institutions encouraged us to pursue a degree we took the chance. Continued assuring us that a diploma served as the veritable gateway to our dreams and aspirations. However, post-graduation epiphanies came to light about societal constructs. Little did I anticipate the stark disparity between academic idealism and real-world professional exigencies.
The post-graduation landscape is a far, far, faaar cry from the rosy expectations you see in movies or see on social media. I put all that work, attention, dedication, and effort into getting my diploma. My name is beautifully printed along with my specialty and all the other important roles at Sac State. Yet, I have received hundreds of rejections all saying the same thing: āBased on the skills and qualifications outlined in the job description, we have selected a few candidates to move forward with that most closely meet the needs of our organization.ā The way my blood boils reading this automated message.
I just want to sit them all down and ask, āHow the hell do I gain experience when no one wants to give me a chance?ā Instead, I have to write long-ass emails using big words that flow and sound elegant and respectful. Asking how I can improve myself in the professional realm and letting them know I am open to other positions. Now that I have a college degree that was once a major success now proves as insufficient a benchmark. They want more and more and more.
I say, fuck professionalism. I have come to reckon with the profound societal inequities that underpin our educational system which is a direct byproduct of capitalist hegemony. Remember a time when a degree was gold? Now itās dirt; just acts like the base layer. Such a quick transition doesnāt make you stop and question how on earth in such a short time span that happened? Doing more and more is just another way capitalism banks off our hard work and title it, āThe American Dreamā when in reality, this is more like a nightmare. And I have had enough.
Day Dreaminā
Another key point I remembered in high school was the talk. The talk was about what you plan on doing after high school and like I said mine was continuing learning. What I failed to realize until now was, going to school, yes is excellent but what do you plan to study is just as important. This will either open or close many doors for you.
In a society like ours, we fail in the education department. Rather than nurturing individual passions, our educational paradigm fixates upon utility and economic viability. And to connect this idea with reality we can see it unfold right before our eyes. A Native American once told me, āmy people created medicine and loved healing people, the sole purpose to help each other. Once we got colonized the entire health system changed, now we have people āhealingā or becoming doctors not because they love to help but for money.ā Let that sit with you. I havenāt met someone who wants to become a doctor or dentist not for the bag but to actually help people. Even in tech, people donāt do it because they love it or it is their passion, they do it because they are good at it and know their salary. It is like we have completely given up our dreams and passions to get that check! But we have to! To survive in this capitalist country!
And now we are on this wave of instead of doing any of that, the next generation thinks they can all become influencers! Like! Which is not even a bad thing to become because they do make bank and for what?! I mean I canāt even hate; it is the new sad reality. This whole idea of chasing the bag has gone too far yet, you canāt survive if you donāt. The only way to ābreak freeā is to start your own cycle- i.e. a business- and try to be a better company with empathy and understanding. Even then you cannot fully escape, the system will come and bite you in the ass.
The Cycle of Life
As we get through this unforgiving cycle, music always helps to ease some of the pains and lets us forget in the moment. This week I present Funny by Benet and Teddy Meanface that somehow encompasses how I feel in this cocky, very sarcastic way. Most of the songs I present are love songs and, in some way, I turn them not. Like I draw a different conclusion from them, and I sort of make it up. Thatās the beauty in music so this is no different. When I listen to this song it is hinting at the feeling of annoyance between what people say versus how they act. People say one thing and then turn around and act the complete opposite. Leaving you feeling almost hopeless in a sense; other peopleās actions are way out of your control. Words are comforting but at the end of the day, they are not concrete, or the final say. The power of action is the only thing we have in this life. So, my advice is to use it wisely and earnestly. Find a way to be defiant, escape like your life depends on it.
Anyways, thank you for joining me on this journey at The Unfinished Times! Don’t forget to follow me for more insightful content, give a shout-out to spread the word, and consider signing up for our Co-Collective to be part of our vibrant community. And if you missed any posts from previous weeks, take a moment to catch up! Let’s continue exploring, sharing, and growing together! See you in the next post~XOXO
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