[Baltimore Sun] A defense of OP (older people) against ageist assumptions | READER COMMENTARY
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As Andrew B. Frank points out in his commentary, “Overcoming ageism in politics and beyond” (April 14), older people or “OP” are stuck with a real bummer of a stereotype.
Consciously or not, we are all influenced by stereotypes, which may be misleading and in need of revision. Take forgetfulness. It is not surprising if OP are forgetful sometimes. They have many more years of memories packed into their heads. For example, some of us actually remember a time before television. And after that, a period when there were only three TV stations all broadcasting in black and white and only during prime viewing time. (In off-hours they broadcast something called a “test pattern”).
Moreover, it is important to realize that today’s OP are more active and youthful than their predecessors. Seventy is the new 50. Not so long ago, the idea of “Senior Olympics” or “The Golden Bachelor” would have been literally unimaginable. It is also sensible to bear in mind that it is a huge mistake to attribute all the supposed characteristics of a group to a single member of that group. Each individual should be evaluated separately based on his or her own merits.
Frank mentions several famous historical figures and leaders who were OP. It’s not hard to find others — authors, musicians, artists, scientists, athletes and political leaders. In these very fraught times, it is especially important not to pin an inaccurate ageist label on our presidential candidates but to view them as individuals.
— Sidney Turner, Catonsville
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