Cross-posted on The Albany Project
When President Obama visited Buffalo today, he was greeted, according to CBS News by a billboard with a simple message:
I NEED A FREAKIN’ JOB
The billboard, and the YouTube video below, are part of new web-based movement created by out-of-work New Yorker, and is aimed at changing the national narrative to focus on us young people who are in a depression due to lack of work.
I’ve been out of work since January of last year, and this story touches me, because it is my story...the story of a lost generation.
From the CBS News report:
Frustrated western New Yorkers have a pointed message for President Barack Obama when he visits the economically troubled region Thursday: "I need a freakin job."
The president makes another stop on what the White House calls his "Main Street economic tour, this time to Buffalo, NY, the anchor city in a region that was hard hit long before a recession that made things even worse, reports CBS News White House correspondent Bill Plante.
Awaiting him will be a billboard carrying a simple, direct message: "Dear Mr. President, I need a freakin job. Period." The sign is part of a media campaign called the INAFJ Project, which was organized by Buffalo businessman Jeff Baker. Baker lost his own small business 15 months ago.
The evening news segment I just saw pointed out that nearly 20% of workers in my generation, millenials, have been out of work for an extended period of time. The INAFJ Project describes itself as a new movement meant to bring attention to this, and perhaps do something about it:
See here’s the thing.
Nothing matters if people and families aren’t working.
We need people to make some noise.
The government is absolutely broken.
If we work together maybe we can get these posers out of the way. Sign the petition. Buy a t-shirt. Upload a video. Vent. Be a friend.
Start a movement.
There are more links and thoughts that I have about this than I have time to blog right now. Having been out of work for so long, I can’t replace my computer, and my time at the local public library is almost up.
Earlier on The Albany Project, it was reported that we are looking for a movement.
Is this it?
Comment away, and accept my advance apologies that I cannot stick around to join in.