Future for young adults a mixture of concern and hope

5 contributors share thoughts about the future

In the four months since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in this country, much about our lives has changed. Things we took for granted – dining out, going to the movies or a concert, visiting with friends and relatives, taking a bus or boarding an airplane, spending the day in the park or on the lake – now seem like indulgences that are not only off limits, but are also dangerous to our health and that of loved ones.

These changes have especially affected the younger members of our society. Students who lost out on the final months of the academic year when schools were closed in an effort to slow the spread of the contagion, now face the possibility that they may not return to their classrooms in the fall. College graduates entering the work force are finding that there are far fewer jobs now than when they began their degrees. The economic future looks grim, and the potential for a reemergence of the coronavirus seems increasingly likely.

To learn how young adults view the future for themselves and their generation, Manor Ink solicited essays from five people under 25. Here’s what they told us.

Iris Gillingham | 20, Program Associate, Livingston Manor

Do we want to go back to what was “normal”? Normal is a reality created by modern society and practice. What is being highlighted by this pandemic is an immensely flawed system that leaves communities burdened with income inequality, racial injustice and acts of destruction on our environment. I do not want to “go back” to normalized injustice.

COVID-19 blew open the doors to how unstable our food, environmental, economic and medical systems had become. This is an opportunity to ask ourselves, “How do we want to live?” These systems were already cracking. Do we want to patch the leaks when we have the opportunity to re-vision?

In school, I was studying emergence and adaptation related to climate and social justice. I started expanding on these topics in my classes because I felt a need to understand how our communities could be more resilient and adaptable while facing climate change.

What I have found is that vision and community connections are vital in supporting change. We can choose to foster a connection to our resources, where our food is grown and what business we support and grow through sustainable community practices.

I realize that any plans for my future and education will have to be emergent, meaning they will have to evolve with the world around me, not in spite of what is happening. I will no longer accept people saying, “That’s just the way it’s done.” Change is necessary, even if it is uncomfortable. Having seen our town band together through many devastating floods, fires and losses, I know that Livingston Manor is strong and capable.

Now is the time to begin envisioning the kind of world you want to be a part of creating. Livingston Manor and Sullivan County have the opportunity to ask young people to return and be involved in redesigning our economy, jobs, schools, and agriculture. Our actions, moving forward, will speak louder than our words. If our generation is going to be known for anything, let us be known for transformation! Let’s be known for addressing the issues we see, and planting seeds that will continue to grow.

Iris Gillingham is a former Editor-in-Chief of Manor Ink and is currently a Program Associate at Catskill Mountainkeeper.

Marlee Madison | 17, LMCS graduate, Livingston Manor

This world we’ve lived in for our entire lives now seems foreign to us. We cannot go outside without wearing a mask or protective equipment. For students, school was cut short, and as a senior, I had to see a lot of things go earlier than anticipated.

Now, I’m not writing to complain that I didn’t get to go to my last prom or anything. What’s more important to me are the people that I didn’t get to say goodbye to. My teachers and my friends who are underclassmen did not get the proper farewell I would have liked to have given them. For those people, I would like to say thank you for your constant support and for making me the person I am today.

Now, on to the future. As I wrote before, it seems as though it’s a foreign world. For me, that’s mostly because I have spent my life up until this point in high school and living with my parents, and I haven’t spent much time (or any time) living alone and fending for myself. That’s already a daunting task, even without worrying about a global pandemic.

But to me, these things seem trivial compared to other world issues. Sure, living on my own seems challenging, but at least I am living and breathing. As a white person, I don’t have to fear for my life when I walk down the street. I don’t have to be scared of losing my life in my own home at the hands of the people who are supposed to be protecting me. I do fear, however, that I am not doing enough for the people who are less privileged than I because of the color of their skin.

As members of society, we have the power to choose whether our contributions help or harm people. What we do with our lives affects everyone around us, so I have to make sure I am doing everything in my power to help and support everyone around me. Enough harm is being done in this world already, so pouring some kindness into it is the least anyone can do. Our voices matter, and we must speak up for what is right.

For anyone going out into this world, please remember to be kind to everyone. Even if someone is not being so nice to you, respect them and be nice, because they could have a lot more going on than you know.

And to those who are graduating and are fearful of what life may bring, we’ve got this. I believe we can make it in this crazy world, we just need to take it one step at a time.

Marlee Madison is the former Editor-in-Chief of Manor Ink. She will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in the fall.

Taylor Jaffe | 21, college graduate, Livingston Manor

At this point in the year, having just graduated from Colgate University amid a global pandemic, witnessing country-wide protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death and facing staggering levels of unemployment, I am both uncertain of and hopeful for the future.

Many variables have defined the start of this decade, from the ongoing climate crisis that caused Australian bushfires in January to the global pandemic that is COVID-19. In the face of these challenges, I see two potential outcomes for our country and our communities that could shape the coming years.

The first includes doubling down on unequal systems and perpetuating injustices that make it harder for everyone to access decent health care, livable wages and basic civil rights, among other inequities. The second more hopeful outcome could be the beginning of a total transformation toward justice, since it seems the events of 2020 have revealed to many that politics are personal.

The difference between these two outcomes represents life-and-death possibilities for certain communities that have been hit hardest by challenges like climate change and the coronavirus. So, while I am uncertain about my future, I am hopeful that I can do my part to create change that is most beneficial to those who need help right now.

Before the spike in coronavirus cases and before schools closed and social distancing began, I imagined that my post-graduate life might take me to any number of cities, beginning a career at a nonprofit organization, or perhaps in the music industry or in local government. I knew that getting started might be difficult, since I have so many different interests. But I ultimately figured that whatever I would do would involve engaging with people and working to create better circumstances for them. I’m still uncertain about my career path, but the need to help people is even more pressing than ever.

Right now, while I am still looking for employment, I have been taking time to educate myself on the issues that define this new decade. From learning more about how I can live more sustainably, to thinking of ways to educate others about the Black Lives Matter movement and standing up for marginalized groups whenever I can, I am working to make the changes I wish to see. I hope to continue this work in a professional setting as soon as possible, but until then I am doing what I can to educate and prepare myself for those opportunities.

Taylor Jaffe is a political science major and musician. Her EP will be released this summer.

Gem Helper | 21, college student, Livingston Manor

Seven months ago, my friends and I looked toward the future and saw hope in the new year. There were so many opportunities and career choices ahead of us. We had started recording music, I had new theater prospects in the summer and we were all starting to save up money. And although we were ready to grow and explore the world, the universe had other plans.

The world was hit with a debilitating virus that put life on pause. Businesses were shut down, and social distancing was put in place. Everyone had to self-quarantine and no one knew when the world would return to normal. I was especially disappointed because my line of work had been put on pause indefinitely.

Before the pandemic, I was auditioning in playhouses and working as background characters on TV shows. On a set, there are at least 50 people around you at any time. They can be hotspots for disease so, naturally, all production had to stop. Luckily, my alma mater, SUNY Sullivan, was putting on their spring performance through Zoom. I was able to participate and had a great time. Since then, however, I have not been able to delve deep into my craft.

On top of this, the job market is not doing well. I had planned to take a gap year from college to work and save money. I was looking forward to the spring hiring campaigns, but now many businesses have either shut down or laid people off. Those people will be looking for employment as well.

My father convinced me that now would be a perfect time to finish my bachelor’s degree because I would have fewer financial burdens while attending college. I applied to a few universities and was accepted to SUNY Cortland.

Despite these setbacks, hope is not lost. I am so grateful for the security and stability that I have – a place to stay and enough food to eat. New York City will enter Phase 3 of reopening on July 6. The pandemic will not last forever, and soon we will be able to work, travel and see our loved ones. On top of this, I am able to continue my education. I have faith that the country will not only bounce back, but that there will be improvements in our infrastructure. We will prevail.

Gem Helper is an actress and a former reporter for Manor Ink.

Jacob Pasquale | 17, LMCS graduate, Livingston Manor

As you know, I am a Manor Ink reporter. I am also a Class of 2020 graduate. To say that I am a bit nervous about leaving high school, going to college and entering the real world is probably an understatement. There are many issues, such as student debt and health care, that I have some concerns about.

I will be attending Ithaca College in the fall and majoring in Film, Photography, and Visual Arts. Due to COVID-19, however, the college has decided to wait until October 5 to open. I am uncertain of what restrictions, if any, there will be. I do know that there will be roommates. This may be subject to change, but as of now that is the plan.

As for student debt, on the other hand, I am very concerned about it. I would like to think that I will leave college without too much debt, but that probably is an inevitability. I am hopeful that I will be able to get a job in film production that will make paying off debt easier. However, I do also plan to buy a house and start a family. It’s definitely a scary thought, but I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

Another thing that I am a bit worried about is paying for health care. I know that health care is really expensive, but hopefully my job will have a good plan. Honestly, I am pretty concerned about how that is going to work, but again, I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I get there.

Although I am nervous about going into the real world, I’m also really excited. I do have concerns, but I’m sure that in time, they’ll work out. There may be a lot of problems concerning things in the world, but I am hopeful for the future.

Jacob Pasquale has been a Manor Ink reporter for the past two years and was the valedictorian of the LMCS Class of 2020.