What people don't seem to understand about ageism is that it truly is more evenly-dispersed and discombobulated than virtually every other "-ism" out there. People can be ageist toward others for being younger, older, or middle-aged...and as Millennials, we receive it from every direction.

I've seen too many of our fellow Millennials so ashamed to be associated with our generation that the older ones insist they are actually GenXers (and the younger Millennials probably insist they are Zoomers).

I take a different approach. I own my "Millennial" title in a proud and positive way...and, for members of our generational cohort who can't get past the stigma of the term, I propose "EchoGens" or "OTGs" (Oregon Trail Generation) as alternate (synonymous) terms, for those who don't want to call themselves "Millennials."

Otherwise, you're left with the embittered and toxic self-loathing exhibited by public figures such as Meghan McCain. :-/