In the article the author rejected the label “angry youth (愤青)”for his generation. It is a label often used to describe the mainland youths exhibiting strong nationalistic fervour. Such as those rigorously defending the Olympic torch, criticizing the western press’ negative reporting on Chinese rule in Tibet, and advocating boycott of the French supermarket chain stores.
The current situation in China is probably the best in the past 150 years, starting around the time of the Opium War. The past 30 years have been, with some interruptions, relatively peaceful, open, and prosperous. Compared to 1919, the year of the May Fourth Movement (五四运动), China is in much much better shape today.
That does not mean this generation of youths are without their own angst. The author presented the frustrations of his generation graphically this way:
我们读小学时，读大学不要钱；
我们读大学时，读小学不要钱。
我们没能工作的时候，工作是分配的；
我们可以工作的时候，撞得头破血流才勉强找份饿不死人的工作。
我们不能挣钱的时候，房子是分配的；
我们能挣钱的时候，却发现房子已经买不起了。
我们没有进入股市的时候，傻瓜都在赚钱；
我们兴冲冲地闯进去的时候，才发现自己成了傻瓜……
The proclamation has its positive elements. It opposes violence and treasures peace. It admits possibly simplistic understanding of the western civilization. It proclaims a genuine desire to communicate despite imperfect English.
It definitely struck a cord with a lot of people, judging from the response it is getting.
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