An X Marks a New Generation’s Beliefs

Re “An X to Grind” (June 1): What defines a generation? Its ideals, whatever it holds dear.

What dearly beloveds have defined previous generations in America? God, country, peace, democracy, civil rights.

What don’t we believe in? God, country, peace, etc. We’ve seen enough Christian hypocrites, American atrocities and peaceniks-turned-rich to know better. Besides, we’re relativists now.

JOSHUA ALEXRAD, b. 1974

Long Beach

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Thank you for the encouragement in “An X To Grind.” The six individuals interviewed are evidence that there are people with purpose in the twentysomething crowd.

Being of that crowd myself, I have scoffed at the Generation X myth. I am an overachieving high school teacher at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

The legend of Gen X drives me even further to infuse my students with a sense of social action. Our social studies curriculum includes a very active model United Nations program. We work in soup kitchens, we built a house in Tijuana, we had an assistance program for the victims in Sarajevo and explored violence in schools.

I do admit there is a vacuum in this post-civil rights era and no one can compare to the inspirational speakers of the ‘60s. At times I believe I was born a generation too late. I try to revive the spirit rather than criticize its deficiencies.

RANDY McCORD

Laguna Beach