Rights to Write: Task Seven

Nov 24-Dec 01 (Task 7 in Week 9)

[Description]

Strawberry Generation
Young people who are considered “e-generation” are also mocked as “草莓族”. This sarcastic name did not exist twenty years ago. But later the youngsters who were born after 1981 started to be referred as “草莓族” due to some special attributes.

• What do you think about this stigma?
• Does the description match your self-identity or -realization? If not, offer a counter claim.

[My Own Comments]

1. What do you think about this stigma?
Hmm, it has become the original sin of our generation, isn't it?
The generation born from1981 to 1990 (from year 70 to 79 in R.O.C.) is called “七年級” in Taiwan, also known as “草莓族”; similarly, the generation born from 1980 to 1989 is called “80後” in Mainland China. Both of the names are not totally true. Young people do have different values and virtues. Some are good; some are bad, just like other generations.

If we don’t want to be stigmatized or thought to be spoilt, we should just prove it to the older generations.

For example, I like the creative ideas of a graduation exhibition in 2005, which was entitled StrongBerry (我不爛，我是硬草莓). Yes, I want to be a delicious StrongBerry, not a mediocre strawberry!
(Read the news at http://140.136.114.206/blog2/archives/000024.html)

2. Does the description match your self-identity or -realization? If not, offer a counter claim.
Some matches; some don’t. Our generation have particular weaknesses that are not found in older generations. One obvious characteristic is that we never experience wars or the post-war period. We’ve been long living in peace without any counter situations, so we cannot feel the value of peace and do not treasure what we possess. Moreover, we’re confused with our self-identity, especially under Chinese culture. We’re lost both in individualism and traditional group interests. However, we have our strengths. We are free and can learn new things freely. If we need to improve, then just feel free to learn what we should. Nothing is impossible. We’re blessed that we didn’t suffer wars in our childhood. Anyway, every generation have their problems. Our generation can exceed expectations and do more in spite of the stigma.

[My Keypal's Comments and My Response]
Click "Week Nine" to read them.