The Great SWG Migration

What does SWG stand for you ask? Well, it’s fairly simple: Standard White Guy. Now, let me be clear that the word ‘Standard’ has zero negative connotations in this context. After all, I’m a proud member of the SWG’s myself. I wouldn’t make fun of myself would I? Wait, you’re right, I love self-deprecating humor. You got me. But anyway, you get the point. It is hard to define a SWG exactly, but I’ll do my best:

Standard White Guy (or SWG): A white male that comes from a middle or upper class upbringing who follows a somewhat traditional life path similar to his peers. SWG’s are typically raised in predominantly white areas (usually the suburbs) with very little racial, ethnic, or economic diversity. The SWG is fortunate in the sense that a college degree is the norm, and even a graduate degree is likely. SWG’s tend to work normal, 9-5 type jobs, and really only take time off from this normal grind for one of two reasons: to go to graduate school full-time or to volunteer/work abroad for a short period of time.

Now your next question I’m sure is what exactly is the ‘Great SWG Migration’? Well, I was talking to my good friend Jon the other day about me moving back to San Francisco, as well as about his own exodus from SF to San Diego for graduate school. During this conversation, it dawned on us that the two of us, as well as a large majority of our close group of friends and siblings are ALL moving cities, as well as finishing/starting graduate school and/or taking on completely new jobs within the next couple of months. And yep, you guessed it. All of these people are none other than SWG’s. The city origins and destinations probably won’t come as any surprise either: Boston, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia, and NYC. What can I say? Those happen to be some of the most SWG friendly cities in the U.S. That’s just the way it is.

Will the Great SWG Migration have a large effect on the overall economy of America? Probably not. Will it affect weather patterns or lead to headlines in major newspapers? Again, probably not (or at least we hope not). So what does this major migration of SWG’s mean when all is said and done? Well, nothing really. There is a steady flow of SWG’s between these cities at all times, thus it will be business as usual in each city, only with a brand new crop of SWG’s.

It is, however, a great time of change for all of those people involved. It’s an exciting, scary, daunting, and fun time all wrapped into one. Who knows what the next chapter will bring for this small group of individuals. Traditionally, the next chapter in the SWG handbook brings marriage, kids, and a house in the suburbs. Some are already married, and one kid is on the way. No houses in the suburbs yet.

But here’s the thing. This isn’t any ordinary group of SWG’s. The Standard path stops here. There is no longer a handbook to follow (sorry fellas). From here on out, you’re simply a WG. I know this might be tough, but hey, in the grand scheme of things, this ain’t so bad. Good luck to all.