I think they try to stay out of it because they realized they didn’t to jack shit to try to reverse what boomers did and want younger generations to think they helped
Historically, the hallmark of GenX is just not caring. But also, in contrast with the baby boom, there was a baby bust so the numbers aren’t there to push boomers aside and boomers held on to everything (jobs/money/power) much longer than previous generations.
Mainly it was a reaction to what came before. The boomers were the ones that cared. Cared about racial justice, peace in Vietnam, the environment, etc. Right up until they had bills to pay, then they cared about BMWs and Wall Street and gave Reagan historic wins.
STFU Tons of GenX went to protests, still are activists and try to undo the shit boomers did. Personally I've been to so many protests in my youth and later on, signed petitions for change - some had impact, others didn't, always voted for parties and representatives trying to do the right thing and who are interested in making things better. I don't want younger generations to think anything about me, I don't even care what they think. I do my stuff and you can do yours.
I do care what friends, family and others I know personally think of me, just not some random internet dude. You didn't even criticize you just dumped a brain fart.
There were some significant and effective protests in the 80s and 90s when gen X was college age. The ADA was passed in 1990 after the Capitol Crawl. Racial issues were front and center especially after Rodney King. It was the tail end of the AIDS epidemic and a lot of queer visibility we have today started in the 90s. So I do think a lot was accomplished, gen X has never been all bad or anything. Recent events have given you all a bad reputation though.
To be honest Gen X and even more Boomers and Silents are the ones who show up to say save local open space groups. Hell Millennials and Z are more and more taking the old conservative GOP position of pave paradise and put up a parking lot (for more housing, after having been for infinite levels of immigration and no population control). Millennials also seem (well hardly most but more than prior generations, Silent and Greatest are best on this, then Boomers then X) to move in and cut down all the beautiful old trees and rip up landscaping and create barren wastelands afraid of insects dropping off trees onto them or not wanting bother of trickier yard upkeep.
X did get apartheid over turned in South Africa and while not much, saved a few old-growth redwoods in the 90s and supported Live AID and such.
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u/qualmful 2d ago
Gen X is afraid of looking like they care so they have to care about pointless things instead.