Yes, we’ve just got to put a stop to ageist remarks and attitudes. Like every ‘ism’ ageism unfairly characterizes a group of people because it judges all of these people based on one characteristic: chronological age.
Melissa Harris Perry has a two-hour program on MSNBC on Saturday mornings and I watched it this morning. I like MHP for her political views and her ability to bring a fresh perspective to many social and cultural issues. A remark that Melissa made, which I’m sure was totally unscripted, stunned me. Stunned because her comment was so blatantly ageist.
I’ve reached the point where I can’t just shrug such incidents away. I feel an obligation to address ageism just as emphatically as I would address examples of racism. I wrote the following letter to Melissa. If she responds, I’ll post her response.
Dear Melissa,
This morning you asked a guest to explain to the “75-year-old little old ladies” what a particular sports phrase meant. Please, please do not stereotype people by their chronological age. Ageism is so pervasive and so deeply entrenched in our culture that we do not recognize it. I know you meant no harm and that you did not mean to disparage women 75 – or older. But the term “little old lady” is especially pejorative and reflects a negative bias toward persons based solely on their chronological age.
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California is 80 years old. Would you refer to this woman, or does the Senator deserve to be characterized by anyone as a “little old lady?”
One of the highlights of my leisurely Saturday mornings is to watch your program, Melissa. I have a high regard for the work you do in your position to raise awareness and to critique so many social and cultural issues. Your remark this morning was way out of step with your usual sensitivity to those very issues. I know you understand the power of language to create or change a culture and I implore you to monitor your use of phrases that reflect an ageist attitude.
Thank you so much.
Sister Imelda Maurer
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