"It just isn't right" . . . Nelson Mandela

There has been uninterrupted comment on cable TV about Nelson Mandela following his death less than twenty-four hours ago as I write this. Mandela was profoundly driven by his dream of a democratic South Africa where all its people would be treated as equals. This dream, this passion permeated his being and was the molding force of all his actions. One fact in particular about this man of deep integrity and persistence has moved me deeply. I learned from Charlayne Hunter-Gault that Mandela’s consistent response to the existence of apartheid was simply: “It’s just not right.”

His deep passion for freedom and democracy expressed itself in that simple phrase and was trhe motivation for his life’s work. I have thought about how our society views aging and how this negative attitude of aging, called ageism, expresses itself too often in the oppression of our elders.

How does ageism show itself even among the most well-intentioned and loving people?

-- In the institutional approach to aging services where tasks are carried out and regulations/policies are implemented without spirit and without the priority of person-before-task;

-- In decisions that are made for and about elders based solely on their chronological age or their place of residence;

-- In the society-accepted practice of segregating elders from the rest of society. Carter Catlett Williams spoke eloquently of this from her own experience when she convened the annual Conference of the Pioneer Network this past August; http://pioneernetwork.net/Events/2013Conference/Convener

-- In any policy that is directed to persons solely on their chronological age;

-- In loving, middle-aged adult children who are convinced that they know what is best for Mom or Dad and force these decisions on the older parents;

-- The same attitude can prevail in well-meaning, good-hearted individuals who by election or appointment have some dimension of authority/responsibility for elders.

In every instance of ageism, of impersonal, institutional responses to elders, we must be that contingent who says, “It just isn’t right” and then follows that conviction with strong, appropriate, persistent advocacy, be that advocacy for ourselves or for others.