The Silence of Ageism in Progressive Movements

[eridani]

In my personal experience, this does NOT apply to volunteer positions.

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/34448-the-silence-of-ageism-in-progressive-movements

There is almost a fear among older activists that to raise the question of age discrimination will result in two responses. The first is confirmation in front of the whole world that, yes, you are old. The second is self-inflicted: that one believes that they sound as if they wish to be pitied. Thus, de-commissioning gets handled in silence and in private.

When I was in my 20s and 30s I encountered older veterans of the progressive social movements who were quite bitter. They may have been red-baited out of this or that movement, or they may have been de-commissioned by the movement itself. They felt as if what they had to offer was no longer valued and that there was nothing that they had to bring to the table. This sense of being cast aside was held-in most of the time, but periodically it would explode outward with an intense anger that was rarely understood.

While it is true that each generation, to borrow from Frantz Fanon, has an historic task or challenge which it must either fulfill or fail, and while it is further true that each new generation brings forward new ideas—and sometimes rekindles old ideas—for society, it is also the case, as the metaphor goes, that we all stand on the shoulders of those who have preceded us. For too many progressives this has meant nothing more than a nod to earlier generations, a reference to respected “elders”, and then a quick dismissal of the role of older activists and any current contributions that they can offer. As a result, instead of building multi-generational movements, generational activists come to resemble a massive human wave assault whereby they plunge into action and, by their late 40s/early 50s are expected—by the outside world—to be worn out, burned up, grown up (and have become an “adult”) or, at best, standing on the legendary iconic platform.

We cannot expect that a capitalist society will do anything that challenges this methodology. Within the progressive movements, however, something can be done and it must be done through the construction of practices of mutual respect. But it must also be done through identifying real and constructive roles that older activists can play that are more than symbolic. Some people are capable of leadership roles into their 80s; others wish a lower profile role; still others can serve as excellent and conscious mentors. It, therefore, becomes a matter of the will of the movement to find appropriate roles rather than reinforcing the humiliation that larger capitalist society perpetrates on its aging population day in and day out.

[ellenrr]

1. Many many progressives, who would never stereotype gays, or Black people,

or any other group, find it perfectly ok to stereotype people bec. of their age.
Even when I point it out they often act as if it is "funny".
Not.

Great article. Thanks.

"It, therefore, becomes a matter of the will of the movement to find appropriate roles rather than reinforcing the humiliation that larger capitalist society perpetrates on its aging population day in and day out."

Yes!