Like most kids his age, my oldest son is obsessed with his phone. He approaches me multiple times a day with some obscure factoid he has picked up from a weird Reddit stream or Youtube channel he is following.
I try to act interested as he talks passionately about some obscure Marvel character or a new micro-bacteria that can regenerate itself 17,000 times a second, I really do. And, most times I can hide my disinterest. But, last night I didn't have to fake it as he got me fired up when he told me that it was HIS generation that was having to undo all of the problems MY generation created.
"What?" I responded. "Listen snowflake, while your generation got woke sitting on the couch, staring at your phones and texting emoji's to each other, my generation was actually getting stuff done. So while you are Instagramming about your cause de jour with your clever Bitmoji's and Giphs, me and my peeps will be busy working to solve problems.
His response? "OK, BOOMER!" "What?" Did you just OK, boomer me?
In case you didn't know, "OK, boomer" has become Generation Z's wiseacre response to older people who they think just don't get it. Almost as insulting as it is uninformed, this two-word retort has become a rallying cry for millions of Youtube watching, insta-posting millennials.
I further explained to him that while his generation was busy doing… Ummmm, NOTHING, we boomers brought him clean water, clean air, voting rights, and an end to AIDS. And while we are on the subject, my peeps brought him cell phones, bluetooth communication the inter-webs. So as far as I was concerned, he should be personally thank ME on behalf of Al Gore every time he stared at that stupid little screen (See what I did there?! The Al Gore thing. Man I am fire today).
So why am I talking about this with you, and where is this headed? Very fair question and probably one you asked three paragraphs ago.
Lately, I have been thinking about my relevancy and have realized that part of this profession may have passed me by.
Maybe I am a boomer teacher.
I can no longer arrange music or chart drill that would be successful in today's competitive landscape. Even if I could, I am not proficient in the newest versions of Pyware or Finale. I can not choreograph the guard or teach the band body movement. I can still design a show, but I don't think I could create a subtle modern mash-up seamlessly combining the music of Rachmaninov and Rush in a way that would bring today's audience to their feet.
Yes, part of the activity has passed me by, but part has not. I can still teach!
Yes, I can still teach an ensemble and do it quite well (just as soon as you program the Dr. Beat and tell me which of these buttons to push on the Harmony Director to get a tuning note).
Yes, some of you younger directors know things I don't and can do things I can't. But before you "OK, boomer" me, let's remember that it was my generation that lost the spats and created the glide step. We brought marching band indoors and concert music outdoors. We used weapons not in war but as art and elevated the color guard into a modern dance phenomenon.
We brought you electronic tuners and drill writing software. We created the "keytar," (ok, we whiffed on that one), but by-in-large, we did OK. And to be clear, your professional life is better because of the people who came before you. As is mine.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us for all of the sacrifices they made for our success. But most important of all it's important to thank a boomer, because they taught YOU!
Yep, that's right. A boomer taught you how to read music, march, and spin. We taught you that details matter and excellence was the standard. We taught you how to work hard, play hard, and commit to something bigger than yourself. But perhaps most important of all, we taught you to follow your dreams and pursue your passions. But more important than any of that is the fact that...
A boomer taught you how to teach!
Yes, after thirty years, I might be a little dated, but while you Insta-tweet-a-gram about how great your generation is, I'll be busy making an ensemble better.
So yeah, I wear my boomer badge with pride. I earned it... The hard way.
Whew. Glad I got that off my chest. I feel better, don't you? Now, if you'll excuse me, it's 4:15, and I am meandering over to Golden Corral for the senior special. Care to join me?
Have a great week, and thanks to everyone who joined me last night for my webinar. Your thoughts and comments were immensely valuable.
p.s. I shared this with my son, to which he responded, "Whatever, boomer."
p.p.s. He then said, "Hey Dad, did you know that more people die from getting hit by coconuts then attacked by sharks?" Maybe I am a boomer after all.