Sue later
explained in emails that yes, he has done some great things and will have a
strong legacy. But she is talking about electability. Christian reinforced that
later by saying people of a certain age—he chose over eighty—generally have
problems and aren’t as sharp. At eighty-four, I really did take that
personally, and he hastened to add, “not everybody.” But that, to me, is the
problem.
America
suffers from ageism, the habit of judging people by their age. It involves a
prejudice against certain groups because of age. I of course see it primarily as
a prejudice against the elderly, some of whom are much sharper mentally than
many people in middle age. But the truth is that ageism is a factor at any
point in life. Ageism does generally refer to the elderly; reverse ageism
refers to the young.
I have
six teenage grandchildren (one of the original seven aged out and is now in her
early twenties). They are as different as can be, but each is a good kid,
pursuing his or her own goals, leading a good life. To try to generalize them
as teenagers would be to miss so much about each of them. Yet I am aware of the
stereotypes of teenagers—lazy, irresponsible, not planning ahead, not reliable.
It’s simply not true if you look at individuals and not the group.
Many
of us strive daily to counter racial and gender stereotypes, yet we accept the
prevailing wisdom that people over eighty are pretty much without value. When I
pointed out all that President Biden has accomplished a great deal on behalf of
the average American, Sue countered with, “Yes, but I see him in daily gaffes.”
So today I saw a clip of a gaff: In a speech, Biden said he son Beau died in
Iraq, although he fairly quickly corrected himself. Beau Biden died in
Maryland, I believe, of a glioblastoma, probably traceable to exposure during
his service in Iraq. The misconnection was easily made because Biden associates
the death with Iraq, as do I. The thing is Joe Biden is noted far and wide for
gaffes—he’s been making them all his long political career. They aren’t the
sign of a failing mind or increasing dementia—they are what happens when a
lifelong stutterer must weigh every word he utters and think carefully about
it. Political opponents, however, have been quick to jump on his gaffes as
signs of dementia or senility, and I hear it repeated, parrot-like, on social
media.
Part
of the problem with Biden is style. He’s a keep-your-head-down,
plow-ahead, do-your-job kind of person. His humor is dry and understated, and
he’s not at all pretentious. Americans have become accustomed to political
bombast, politicians who yell and accuse and point fingers, tell outrageous
lies, use fear to control people. It’s like poor Paul Pelosi being hit in the
head with a hammer every day. And there is no humor or wit. But I’m afraid Sue
is right. Americans won’t see this. In 2024, they’ll see an old man who should
be put out to pasture.
I’m no
stranger to stereotyping. I’ve needed a walker now for five years, going on
six. In addition, I don’t hear well. I’ve found two distinct reactions: some people
are so courteous and helpful that it reassures me that the world is still full
of good people. Other people ignore me. Because I don’t drive, I usually have
someone with me, and too often the salesclerk, the receptionist in a doctor’s
office, the official in the DMV where I got my official non-driving i.d. talks
to whoever is with me, ignoring me even though we are there because of my
business. I want to wave my hand and say, “Woohoo! There’s still a pretty good,
functioning brain in here.”
Americans
need to get over stereotyping and profiling of all kinds. For me and my generation,
ageism is especially offensive. I’m afraid a sea change in attitude may not
come in time for Joe Biden and the 2024 elections or perhaps even in my
lifetime. But I’m going to continue to do everything I can to fight the stereotype.
And Joe Biden? Don’t count him out yet.
Just
for grins, read this: 80
Over 80: ranking the most influential 80-plus-year-olds in America. (slate.com)
