Take My Advice ... Please! A Letter To The Next Generation

I have recently suffered an injury to my shoulder that severely inhibits my ability to sit at the computer and type. So, I have been contemplating how to overcome this obstacle while I am healing. And I realized that after writing this blog for over 12 years, that perhaps, there are some creditable essays worthy of re-consideration. The following is a post from just two years ago, yet I find its message even more urgent and important to share. In just the last two years, we have slid even further towards grave consequences for our nation and the world. More people are awakening to this truth, but it is for our future generations that I want to focus upon our reality once again. And for those who choose to ignore my comments, I'd like to offer you a piece of advice ... you can deny reality, but you won't escape the consequences. I pray that you will seriously contemplate what I have to say and seek the One who can deliver us all from evil.

My husband and I had a conversation this morning about what the future looks like and how concerned we are for the next generation -- on so many levels. We feel blessed to have lived in this country and to have experienced the height of prosperity and innovation that few citizens of the world have known. We are old enough that we have heard what "hard living" looks like from our grandparents who experienced the Great Depression and an attack on our homeland. We can at least understand that the "American Dream" [that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their version of success by working hard] is under threat, and that we can no longer take for granted that it will exist for the coming generations. We are also well aware that the Founder's idea of the "American Experiment" is on the verge of collapse; an experiment that believed a nation of people could govern themselves without need of a ruling or privileged class; that we are born with unalienable rights that are not granted by a government, but inherently endowed within each being by a divine Creator.

Are these ideas that the Millennial Generation and Generation Z can comprehend? Do they understand how important it is that they know these historical concepts and why they are significant in defining their freedoms and future? Sadly, I would suggest that being the recipients of modern technology, many have been seduced into measuring the boundaries of opportunity and success by whatever the social media giants have told them is acceptable. Their ignorance of world history is setting them up to become slaves to a system that will crush any idea of innovation, individuality, originality, or "blazing your own path" -- all characterizations of the American spirit. Generation Alpha (born in the early to mid-2010s) will be our last chance to retain this distinct persona. But being the tech-savvy children born to Millennials, they have been subject to our corrupt educational system who has done everything in its power to destroy the unprecedented American identity. And it is to these latter generations that I wish to address a letter of counsel and admonition...

To The Next Generation(s):

I hope you are able to consider my words as more than the ramblings of what you most likely consider "an old woman". I understand that tendency; I, too, used to think that those of previous generations were outdated, irrelevant, and unsophisticated in the ways of "the modern world". But I have had the opportunity, as I have advanced in years, to understand that what they imparted to me was worth more than I ever imagined it could be. They taught me values and skills that we are in desperate need of in this "modern" world -- values such as personal responsibility, moral obligation, character, and faith. And I learned skills that I thought were "old-fashioned", but I now perceive will be virtually life-saving as we enter an alarming phase of our national and world experience -- skills such as knowing how to grow food, how to preserve food, how to light a fire, basic first aid, how to sew and repair clothes, how to repair machinery, how to read a map or compass. 

You may think that none of this applies to you... you don't need to know how to do any of these outdated practices, because all you have to do is pick up your cell phone and there's a YouTube video that will instruct you how to do it; and that's only if you are unable to hire someone to do it for you. But, sadly, you need to know that you are only one EMP, solar flare, or grid-down scenario away from being stripped of the advantages of that mini-computer in your hand. All the benefits of modern technology will be gone in an instant. Imagine how you would fare if you were suddenly living in the 19th Century, because that's what it will be like.

And have you considered how foreign oppression might affect your life? If you haven't, you should. All the efforts of the global elite to put the governing powers of individual nations into the hands of international organizations has resulted in the loss of national sovereignty. There is a growing trend towards globalization as a means to dismantle and control independent self-government. That's a wordy way of saying that the freedoms you have enjoyed and taken for granted are slowly dwindling away. And while you, the younger generation, boast of being more accepting of diversity, globalization actually threatens cultural diversity by drowning out some cultures, local economies, and discouraging development of culture-specific ideas. Globalization affects trade throughout the world, and in seeking lower production costs in order to be competitive in the global market-place, companies are reducing labor staff or replacing them altogether with robots, so that job insecurity is a real worry among your generation. And then there is the very real issue of cyber security. The internet has been a wonderful invention for all kinds of reasons, but it has also increased the threat of identity theft. Our lives are subject to interference and intrusion by uncontrolled entities. And need I point out the unfathomable numbers of undocumented foreign individuals who have stormed our southern border?  

I know that you may be thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about, but there is one axiom that I hope you hear, if you don't consider anything else I've said, and it is this: "Those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it". As hard as it may be for you to comprehend, you are no smarter or more creative or better capable of leading than other generations. Why? Because human nature is what it is. From the Garden forward, generations of human beings have chosen [out of their own free will] to abandon the knowledge of God and gratitude for what He has done for us, His creation. When that happens, we look only to ourselves for our preservation and prosperity. Each generation is willing to criticize the one before it for its failings, but they don't learn from those mistakes. Instead, every generation, out of pride and self-importance seeks to increase their power, status, and wealth over the previous one, without the benefit of counsel and guidance from God.  When that is the path generations take, the history of the world has shown us that humans will devour each other in endless patterns of prosperity and war. 

So, I hope you will take a good hard look at the state of this nation and the world at this date in time; in your generation. Take the time to study history and note the differences between times of peace and prosperity, and times of war and destruction. Learn from the mistakes of my generation and all the ones that have come before. What does your generation plan to do to change the directory of the patterns of history? It is clear to me that the world is approaching a climactic event that can either redeem it or destroy it. Are you ready? Do you know the One who can determine that outcome? That is the most important and consequential decision you can make for your future. You must decide where your hope lies, because your future, and the existence of future generations depends on it.

Deuteronomy 32:7  Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.

 

"A Generation Which Ignores History Has No Past and No Future"

The title of this post is a quote by one of the most celebrated and prolific science-fiction writers of our time, Robert Heinlein. Here's what Wikipedia says about him: "Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought". I agree with his line of reasoning. But to that theme, I would add the importance of knowing and understanding history.

I remember being in total shock after a conversation with a friend who has been a middle school teacher for many years. She was bemoaning the lack of funding for education, and then dropped the bombshell .... when forced to make cuts, her school had mandated the elimination of American history classes from the curriculum. That was in 2012, folks! At the time I thought that money was at the root of this disastrous decision. I was well aware of the 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation that tied student performance to federal funding. The states began evaluating schools through similar federal/state accountability systems that focused on reading and mathematics. Schools with student test scores that did not meet goals established under these systems risked losing federal funds and autonomy. The result was that administrators eliminated history from their curriculum entirely, or reduced it to as little as 30 minutes per week!

It didn't take me long to surmise the real purpose. Under the guise of funding issues, there was a deliberate effort to eliminate the importance of knowing the history of colonial America, the Revolutionary War, the expansion and industrialization of the 19th century, and the Civil War. Since these subjects were generally taught in the lower grades, the only comprehensive history lessons would take place in junior high and high school, where history is concentrated on 20th century history. This was the real agenda! These new educational standards gave the American education system the opportunity to ignore the portion of American history that taught American idealism and values. 

And here's how I experienced that up close and personal... I clearly remember sitting in my freshman history class at a big state university [in 1972], when the teaching assistant [translation: young graduate student] told our class of impressionable college freshmen that he could not, in good conscience, teach anything about American history before 1945 because America was "imperialistic" and "greedy". I remember thinking, "But I love American history; especially early American history". My naive and inexperienced mind couldn't recognize what I can now see as the Progressive mindset of that professor. I can also recall other tirades from his position of influence that broadcast his hatred for capitalism and American greatness. 

The seeds were planted all those years ago in fertile minds, and I'm sure some of those students, or their kids, went on to serve on Education Boards that ultimately set the course for the K-12 education system we see today. Stop for a minute, and just think how quickly [and stealthily] this anti-American mindset crept into the identity of American children. I want you to understand that I am not naive about the reality of who and what America was, and has become. My years of living and experience have taught me that America is far from perfect, and there have always been dishonest and unprincipled men throughout our history. But I also believe in the goodness of America and am proud of our ingenuity and our compassion for those around the world. The fact that amoral and evil men have taken advantage of those qualities, does not eliminate their truth. 

But taking away instruction in our history robs students of more than their past. It hinders their development of critical thinking when they are criticized and censured for a dissenting opinion. They aren't allowed [or encouraged] to develop analytical abilities to evaluate evidence, understand historical perspectives, or other discipline-specific skills, an opinion promoted by the American Historical Association. 

We are now seeing parents waking up to the over-reaching influence that School Boards and teachers are having on this generation of kids. By removing parental consent from the decision-making of what their children are taught, we have reaped an educational system that no longer represents the ideals of America. And removing our history was the first step in restructuring the heart of this nation. Think about it -- if they can deny our kids the historical perspective of how our country dealt with the ratification of the Constitution (through ballot propositions); the contentious Presidential election of 1860 (by offering candidates); the Boston Tea Party (with grassroots campaigns); or the fur trade (creating new employment opportunities) that swept the country and Europe, then they can persuade them to think and act along socialist, communist, and progressive lines. If they don't learn about the self-determination, enterprise and inventiveness of freedom-loving individuals that was so prized in the first two centuries of our nation's history, then they will fall right in line and become robots for the globalist agenda. 

"A generation that ignores history has no past and no future". We DO have a past and a history. The question is, will we continue to have a future? It's up to us to preserve it for the next generations and teach them, not only to value our unique history, but how to create a future that perpetuates all that is good about us. This battle has been going on for over two generations. And the battle is far from over. We have lost valuable ground in this nation, and I pray that restoration is in our future. 

#americanhistory #history #education #educationsystem #americaneducation #knowingourhistory #criticalthinking #antiamericansentiment #preservingourhistory #nochildleftbehind #historyclasses #progressivethinking #takingbackeducation

Deuteronomy 4:9    Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.         

The Danger In Our Children Forsaking Their History

 

In one of the first blog posts I wrote in 2012, I addressed the concern I had that the valuable life lessons of my generation [that I learned from the generations before me] were not being valued by the Millennial Generation and the generations following them. I wrote, "It is becoming more and more apparent to me that our children are no longer learning from us". 

Then this week, ten years later, I found myself in a conversation with a very dear friend about this very topic. I'm a number of years older than she is, but she has entered that season of life in which you begin thinking about the things you would like to bequeath to your children or grandchildren. But we both found ourselves agreeing that the younger generation has made it clear they aren't really interested in preserving anything as a memory of their ancestors. Photos, jewelry, art, furniture or anything sentimental or nostalgic hold no interest for them. Don't get me wrong .... this is not about worshiping or idolizing "stuff" or material possessions.

So, what is my point in calling your attention to this circumstance? I have a standard to live by because I was raised on the courage and the moral values of my ancestors. I am the keeper of valuable life lessons learned by my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, who learned from their parents who lived through the Civil War, two World Wars and a crippling depression. They learned how to survive, and knew how to persist through hard times. In me, they found a willing listener, who wanted to be able to follow in their footsteps if ever faced with the same life challenges. And what's more, the few things that have been passed down to me are reminders of those who not only contributed to my DNA, but they are visual symbols of the strength of mind and character that are my inheritance. I don't cherish them because they have material worth; they are a treasure due to who they represent.

But our younger generations don't seem to care about knowing where they came from; instead, they are willing to follow whatever the latest celebrity or media guru tells them they should feel, think or say. But it's not just social media that is steering our kids wrong. The very institution that we trust to educate and maintain acceptable standards for our children, has now decided that they are to have the primary jurisdiction over their lives. In 2012, I asked the question, "Have we handed over the responsibility of forming our children's identity to some nameless entity that knows better than we do?" Now, in 2022, it's very clear where that threat is coming from, and that there is a vigorous effort to remove not only our children's personal and national history, but any influence of past generations or parental authority or direction.    

In light of this alarming circumstance, if you asked the Millennials today to tell you what they've learned from their parents or grandparents, could they tell you? Are they even interested in learning from us and what was passed down to us as wisdom and knowledge? And most importantly, do they know that it is not all about them? That the rewards of this life come from working hard, helping others, and giving glory to our God? 

I know that I am a product of tough and remarkable people; people who lost spouses at a young age and had to provide for small children during the Depression when food and clothing were scarce. I come from people who survived outbreaks of virulent disease; lost their homes to fire; lost babies to tuberculosis, the leading cause of death in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century; and left all their belongings behind as they hurriedly escaped from the "advancing Yankees". And I have the 1814 Family Bible that records the dates of their births, deaths, and marriages from that date forward. My question is, will anyone want this valuable reminder of the endurance and girt and mettle that came before me?

Remember, that God instructed Joshua to leave 12 stones on the shore of the Jordan River [after the Israelites had crossed over] as a memorial for future generations to be reminded about their journey and the deliverance they received from God. If our subsequent generations lose the history of our own journeys, and that of our nation, they will be doomed to repeat the mistakes and errors that were made. And if they abandon the desire to know about us and those that came before us, they will lose their unique identities and any opportunities to draw from the vast knowledge base that could teach them how to endure and overcome the difficult future we are facing. I'm afraid our culture is lulling them into complacency, contentment, and a willingness to relinquish the narrative of their ancestors as no longer relevant. 

As my friend and I finished our conversation, we both lamented the very real possibility that this generation will never receive the benefits of hearing [or knowing] about the trials and acts of resiliency and fortitude that led from their ancestors to their own existence. In 2012, I urged readers to teach their children to embrace that rich inheritance. Today, I'm not sure the children want to be taught. I applaud those parents who are engaged in taking back our education system and I pray that they they will institute their own re-education plan of teaching family history and the responsibility [and yes, obligation] to remember and honor those who came before us. 

Now, I'll leave you with my last thought ... Like those 12 stones on the side of the Jordan River, the chronicles of families should never be forgotten. I'm afraid our children and children's children are going to need visible and lasting reminders of what once was. 

#millennialsandhistory #familyhistory #rememberinghistory #forsakinghistory

Deuteronomy 32:7   Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.