Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age. Who does ageism affect? Ageism affects everyone. Children as young as 4 years old become aware of their culture's age stereotypes.
I am really surprised at the level of age discrimination, primarily that of older adults, that the USA is exhibiting. I don't recall any such dynamics before and I think it is primarily coming out of the politics of the day. There is this whole mess that goes on with "public concensus" that is ridiculous and it is that type of political movement that is driving enormous disrespect for aged individuals.
People seem to want to be judge and jury to every aspect of "normalism." I believe that entire mess stems from Evangelicals that are hooked into politics and want to control every aspect of life of every individual. In other words, we all need to have the same "WORLD VIEW." If I hear anyone say "World View" in the USA as a judgement of a person's values I will be rather upset by the idea of such strong prejudice that the only results in independent thought that occurs while deciding about body art.
Strom Thurmond (click here)
...He turned 100 years old in 2002, the only senator to reach that milestone while still in office. He also holds the Senate's record for the longest individual speech, his filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act, which lasted for 24 hours and 18 minutes.
If anyone should have been removed from office it was him. He was a lousy son of a bitch and he did the country no good for most of the time in service to the people of South Carolina. But, he stayed and he stayed and he stayed. His staff would have to put him into a wheel chair, take him to the US Senate floor and remind him of how he wanted vote for a bill.
Speaker Pelosi spoke out today about the harassment of agism of US Senator Diane Feinstein. My words, not hers. She was too polite to say it the way I do.
February 28, 2022
By Clare Foran and Ted Barrett
Longtime Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's husband, Richard Blum, (click here) died Sunday evening following "a long battle with cancer," according to an announcement from Feinstein's office.
Feinstein, a California Democrat, said in a statement that her "heart is broken today."
"My husband was my partner and best friend for more than 40 years," she said. "He was by my side for the good times and for the challenges. I am going to miss him terribly."
Blum died at the family's home, the announcement from the senator's office said. He was 86. Feinstein is 88 years old....CAN IT!
One of the aspects of life that Americans have always fought for was longevity. If a society is going to value longevity then the quality of life that accompanies it is of value, too.
I have recently had two separate conversations with retired adults that have living parents, mothers in this case. They were concerned for their safety and well being as the lived alone in the homes where their marriages played out and their children were rasied.
Meet the Nanny Cam.
In both instances, the siblings could not settle the dispute about privacy. But, when concluded it was decided it was about protection of life and it was a good thing. It wasn't like the women lead lifestyles that required a great deal of privacy. Besides, no one cares about privacy anymore. There are more videos and pictures of all sorts of people on the internet that privacy is a word not well defined these days.
This wasn't about a conservativeship relationship, it was about being able to see "Mom" and know that she is doing okay. These lovely elderly women were in their 90s.
One of the things I brought up in both instance is that do we or do we not value longevity? And if we value longevity then WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO DEFINE IT'S END or the end of it's activities. Just because a mother that lives into her 90s and is able to care for herself at home is a concern to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren doesn't mean they have to give up their independence to be supervised by a group of employees at some kind of adult living arrangement.
The USA values longevity. It is why we have been hopping mad over the deaths in this country of some of the most precious people in our lives due to an avoidable virus. We love our families. We love the elderly members more than any others at times.
My Irish grandmother passed away at 94 years old. But, she was one of the most incredible people I had ever met. She was born in 1902. Her spouse was born in 1900. He passed away from Black Lung as he worked most of his years from the age of 14 in the Pennsylvania coal mines. When the bird flu took his parents he was already the breadwinner in the household and the children simply kept going.
My grandmother saw the industrial revolution, the invention of the light bulb, the first telephone and on and on and on. I would listen to her and ask questions about her life and the times she lived in. She was fasinating. She didn't complete high school, but, she made sure her children did and every one of her grandchildren went on to earn degrees. At family get togethers she would see and just admire all of her children and grandchildren and was proud of the lives they were living. That is something no one and I mean no one can replace. A woman that had lived nearly 5 generations (20 years a generation) and could sit in a garden at a family gathering and take in all that was wonderful about her entire family.
The senior adults in this country have a lot to offer. That includes those still serving in government. US Senator Feinstein has a career that is completely unbelievable. She has been a power house. Now, because the tears of her husband's death still lingers in her mind she is supposed to be seen as "losing it?" I don't think so.
Every American has a debt of thanks to US Senator Feinstein whether they realize it or not. She is a strong fighter. We need to let her continue to work for the best outcomes of all Americans as she grieves the loss of the dearest person in her life.
I have had enough of the hate speech about our older citizens.
