“It’s still the one area where you can totally discriminate against somebody…”
Madonna said it but I’ve been saying it for years. Why don’t we still not see it? Here’s her rant.
I was at a book fair recently, and just for fun, I’d I pointed to my sign (“Fiction for People Who Weren’t Born Yesterday”) and ask people what they thought it meant. I told them I was doing market research. To my delight, some laughed out loud. They loved the concept.
Others were way more reticent – they explained it every way they could without using the word “old.” A couple of old people even told me I should change it, because it “sounds old.” “I think it’ll turn people off,” said one old woman.
I’m jamming my fingers into my eyeballs. Trying not to type a string of profanity.
What the hell is so flipping wrong with being old, saying old, acting old, old, old, OLD? Why is it an insult?
But back to our regular programming: I was talking about ageism being okay. Of course, I’m being sarcastic. (Or as the word is now used, “ironic.”)
If you want to understand how egregious is ageism, read this article about discrimination in the electronic gaming industry and substitute “black” for “old.” Puts it into a rather sharp focus. (On the plus side, electronic games for seniors is a 99% neglected field with a 100% upside, if any of you are looking for a new gig.)
To end on a positive note, here’s an article on how the advertising industry plans to pitch Baby Boomers. They actually paint older people in a somewhat favorable light, even highlighting our positive attributes. Which, for your enjoyment, are:
- we value authenticity
- we don’t want to be young; we’re happy with who and what we are
- we have a sixth sense about being hustled
- we’re less self-centered than younger people
- we’re skeptical
- we’re highly individualistic, more so than at any other time of our lives
- we’re independent
- we’re not as materialistic; we’re more philanthropic as we age
Next time you feel you’re being dismissed, disrespected, or diminished based on your age, remember that the money boys know the real truth, and the word is starting to get out. At least, among those who want to get into your wallet.
Related articles across the web
The word “old” is negative because it’s been coopted by the 30-ishes who climb all over the playscape that is Madison Ave. How many “anti-aging” products are on the shelves? Makes my teeth twitch. My friends don’t like the word (some quite strongly), the marketplace doesn’t like it, Americans don’t like it. It’s okay by me. My mom would say “consider the alternative.” If we lived in a country that revered elders, the word would not be an issue. So, I continue to pretend I’m not really from this planet, that my home world is aglow with gray hair and lines. Also, less gravity.
Well, I agree about Mad Ave., because if they can’t make us dissatisfied, we won’t buy their stuff. But there’s another, more difficult reason why “old” is bad – it brings us closer to death. Since nobody wants to die, we brand the word.
You know, along the same lines, I’ve often wondered if Black people are offended by the ubiquitous use of the word black to indicate bad or negative. Black hat, black mood, etc. Although of course there is the good as well: being in the black is a good thing on a balance sheet, for example.
Good coffee this morning.
Lynne, I have been ignoring what society says for so long, I never noticed age discrimination, which I know exists. I guess it is partially because I still feel like a big kid…playing ball with my 6th graders, stretching into down dog with my 11th graders and fist bumping with my high schoolers.
You look absolutely fabulous in that photo, so you surely don’t need any tweaking at any age.
Pat, you just drove right through it. And I’m sure working with school kids would keep a person young!
Another good one, Lynne. I just want to say old, old, old,OLD! I feel so lucky to have lived this long. Don’t want to go back to being young. Too many insecurities and it is hard work. The only regret I have is that the days just seem to fly by at this age.
Yes on both counts, Judy. Do you think, since time flies when you’re busy, maybe we could slow it down if we slowed down? Tried to be less busy? It really is possible. I’m working on it by saying “NO” more often.
I think the problem I have with the word “old” is that it sounds so final, like the end point. Yes, I am older than I was, and I’m older than many, but I’m also younger than many, and younger than I’ll be in the future. I do realize that “old” is often used as a pejorative term, and that might be the reason I don’t like it, but as long as I see so many positive paths in front of me, “old” won’t be a word I will use to describe myself.
I love both “Fiction for People Who Weren’t Born Yesterday” and “Boomer Lit!”
Janis, I appreciate the “marketing feedback.” And if I were to be honest, I think the word “old” is a pejorative is because the older we are, the closer we are to the end. Nobody wants to die! Nobody wants it to be over. So we resist, which is a logical reaction. I wish I could say I write stories about and for old people, but I’d probably never sell another book!
Hi Lynne. Sorry I missed your book fair on Wednesday but I’m sure it went well. But funny that people would not think that your statement, “Fiction for People Who Weren’t Born Yesterday” was a good one! And while I personally am not crazy about the word “old” myself, I have no intention of denying my age (at any age.) There is certainly a lot of prejudice against aging as we witness every single day (especially living where we live!) and I think it is up to those of us who are on the fringe of that to speak up and change the way our culture views it. You are certainly off to a good start. ~Kathy
Thanks, Kathy, for the support. And I’m thinking of calling my writing “Boomer Lit.” Do you think that works?
Boomer Lit? I love it! Clever idea, Lynne.
Lynne Spreen, I smiled when I read the reactions to your “market research” regarding your sign at the book fair. That’s also a great photo of you. I love your Dakota windmill in your display.
“We’re highly individualistic, more so than at any other time in our lives.” That’s my favorite of the attributes of Boomers (and their predecessors, among whom I’m one at age 72).
As for gray hair, I’ve never used hair color. I love being gray haired. Notice: I wrote “being gray haired” rather than “having gray hair.”
Thank you for the compliments, Barbara. Weren’t those articles interesting, the ones about us older people? Like we’re being studied, secretly. And the bad press isn’t true!
Being gray vs. having gray. Now THAT is the final frontier of authenticity. I will strive for that level.
Had a new portrait picture taken this week. It is amazing what a great photographer can do. The only difficulty is shaving when the mirror is hidden behind it.
I had to stop a minute, Bob, and then I burst out laughing.
Ha ha … I got it Bob 🙂 And Lynne, cudo’s on another great piece here.
Thanks, Cheryl. Have a great weekend.