This morning I woke up to my husband saying, “Wow! Riots in London.”
“London, England?” I said.
“No, London, Ontario, at Fanshawe College.”
I sat there silent for a minute and the feeling that washed over me was not one of shock, because, frankly, why should London be immune? Only last June we saw riots in Vancouver over, what was that again? Oh right, a hockey game. And what were our fine youths in London rioting over last night? Well, it would seem St. Paddy’s Day was enough to set them off.
So, what was I feeling when I thought of riots in my hometown, at my old college, no less? Complete and total disgust.
If I may, let’s just talk for a minute about the overwhelming number of spoiled brats we have roaming around our society right now. These young adults* are our future. This actually gives me chills. What will they do when they don’t get the vacation time they ask for at work? How about if they don’t like their performance appraisal? Will they throw a Molotov cocktail when not allowed to text on the job?
Am I exaggerating? I don’t think so.
What were these “educated” kids so angry about? Were they screaming for lower tuition fees for Mom and Dad? Were they throwing their weight behind the Occupy movement? Nope. They were chanting Fanshawe. As in Fanshawe College. Sorry folks, these kids are about as deep as a puddle.**
I know I must seem the old curmudgeon here, but honestly, I remember when riots happened due to an injustice, and protests were meant to further public discussion. I'm from the age when walls were brought down and great men brought about great change through challenging the status quo. The riots we are witnessing of late aren’t due to people fighting injustice, but rather using it as a cool Facebook status.
Where are these kids getting this huge sense of entitlement? Why is there such a total lack of regard for public property? What are we missing here people? Anyone have the answer? Someone please enlighten me, because this culture of throwing public temper tantrums has got to stop.
*I do not use 'kids' intentionally here, as anyone in college should, by all standards, be responsible for their own decisions.
** Before you write and tell me that there are many young adults that are responsible and caring citizens, I know that. I am not trying to paint our youth with a broad stroke, but it definitely seems to me that we a have a large portion of people who still haven't got past the toddler years.
Hero Image from Toronto Sun.
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