Today’s kids are the next Greatest Generation. They give me hope. My generation needs to support them and pass the baton when they’re ready.

This was my message to high school and middle school graduates in San Francisco.

Go Lawton Lions, Lincoln Mustangs, and Lowell Cardinals!

TRANSCRIPT
I’m Joel Engardio, the city supervisor for the Sunset neighborhoods.

Many people wonder what the heck is a supervisor? 

Supervisor is a fancy word for a city council member. In San Francisco, the city council is called the Board of Supervisors.

We deal with municipal issues. Things like stop signs, potholes, bike lanes, and parking spots. 

It sounds mundane, but there is a lot to fix in San Francisco.

City supervisors can’t fix things happening around the world. But we can ensure basic city functions are working. And we can create more opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to live here.

That’s why housing is important. By making it easier to live here, we can retain and attract residents who will be inspired to change the world — right here, from their home base in San Francisco.

We need today’s graduates to be able to return to San Francisco after college so they can build their own lives and families here.

Put city thrives when our families, workers, and young people are able to live here.

We could be home to today’s graduate who becomes the scientist who will solve climate change, or the diplomat who negotiates lasting peace in the Middle East. 

The challenges in our city and the world can feel daunting. We can’t do this hard work without hope. That’s why I believe we must always lead with joy.

That’s why I brought a night market to the Sunset.  

We must recognize the joy in our city and our lives. There is plenty of it.

Think of every gathering of your friends and family. Or how you feel when you experience the natural beauty, cuisine, and culture that defined San Francisco long before “doom loop” became a buzzword. 

The problems we face are real. So are the joyful things. We must keep that perspective. Let’s encourage more joy as we work to create our best San Francisco and world.

Have you ever heard about the Greatest Generation? Your great-grandparents were part of it. They had a tough childhood.

They grew up in the worst financial depression the world had ever seen. When they graduated high school, they had to fight the biggest war the world had ever seen. Because freedom was under threat.

By the time they were teenagers, they had been through a lot. And the future looked bleak.

But it didn’t stop them from dreaming about a better future. As adults, they were determined to create and build things they felt would improve the world. Things like television, rockets to the moon, and the Internet. 

Against all odds, they succeeded. That’s why they’re called the Greatest Generation.

Most of them are gone now. The few left are 100 years old.

You might find something in common with the Greatest Generation. 

Like them, you faced a lot of adversity as young people. You suffered through a global pandemic at a critical age. And a culture of mass shootings. War rages in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.

Human liberty and freedom is under threat across the globe. And you will have to fight the existential threat of climate change. 

Yet I believe you have the opportunity to become the next Greatest Generation.

You can be an even greater Greatest Generation — one that is more inclusive and equitable. The original Greatest Generation left out a lot of people who didn’t get to benefit from their success. 

When the future looks bleak, know that you have the ability to create a better world. Even when it feels daunting or scary.

I believe that you will be the Greatest Generation yet. If it feels like a lot of pressure, know that my generation is committed to helping.

I will do everything I can in my position to support you. We can work together. And I will pass the baton when you are ready.

It is an honor to meet you today. It gives me hope. You are stronger than you realize. Things will get better.

And one day, you will look back with pride at your courage and resilience. How you tackled the world’s challenges and shined.