A Reason To Arise (Editorial)

Brian Cherry, one of Arkansas Business’ 20 in Their 20s featured in this issue, says his parents always told him “to leave somewhere better than I found it.” It’s a simple philosophy but a powerful one, and it causes us to consider whether we baby boomers will be leaving a better world to those who follow, including our very bright and motivated New Influentials honorees.

We fear not.

The economy, though vastly improved from the dark days of 2008, still feels shaky. The middle class is losing ground and no longer comprises the majority of Americans. The median income of middle-class households dropped 4 percent between 2000 and 2014, according to the Pew Research Center. And what with the housing market crisis and Great Recession, the median wealth of the middle class fell 28 percent from 2001 to 2013.

The picture isn’t rosy for new college graduates either. Average student loan debt in Arkansas is $25,344, says the Institute for College Access & Success. And recent graduates burdened by loan debt can’t afford to invest in the economy-boosting activities of consumer goods buying. Nor can they afford to take on what can be “good” debt, that of a sensible home mortgage, which remains for many in the middle class a way to build wealth as well as giving them a stake in the health of their communities.

Terrorism remains a real and serious threat in the United States. And even the most ardent of Second Amendment supporters would agree that gun violence is a scourge.

As for this political season — well, we don’t have the energy. Whatever the outcome of the presidential election, it’s a safe bet that Americans won’t feel less polarized.

However …

We look at the faces of these 20 outstanding young people, and we feel hope. That hope doesn’t absolve us of responsibility, but it does make it easier to get up in the morning.