Yutes vs. Boomers
Today’s “yutes” as Joe Pesci’s character Vinny refers to “youths” in the hilarious film “My Cousin Vinny,” are not happy with boomers. How can I tell? I see Gen X and Millennials bad-mouthing us on Instagram, TikTok, Youtube and other social media spaces where they let their feelings loose.
The “kids” are blaming us seniors for the ravages of Climate Change, the high cost of education, and the mass murders occurring daily in every venue you can think of because assault weapons are so easily accessible to people who should not have them.
They consider President Biden and the orange dude too “old” to be in office. But yet they’ll stand in line for two hours to see the Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are both 80) or West Side Story (Rita Moreno is 92). Or they’ll take fashion advice from Iris Apfel who is now over 100 years old.
There’s a real disconnect in how young people perceive elders. And maybe it goes both ways. I think it’s worth exploring because diversity - of all people, no matter what color, age or sex - is what makes us all great when we work together as a team.
Back When I Was Young
I have always had a soft place in my heart for seniors. As a teenager, I’d head down to the local nursing home to entertain the elders by singing or reading poetry to them.
I was able to bid my elderly parents and beloved aunts and uncles goodbye when each was on their deathbed.
As a young poet, I’ve enjoyed readings and advice from elder poets in person, through their written works and watching them in videos. I cherish their advice to me, as it comes from their deep wells of experience.
I don’t understand why young people of this era are so willing to toss us boomers out en masse just because we’re over the age of 30.
My Mom
When my mom entered the realm of “senior citizen,” she said she would rather be called a “seasoned citizen.” I found this brilliant. In essence, she was saying that she wanted to be honored and respected for all the time she had put in on this Earth, all the lessons she had learned, all the experiences she had acquired, all the pearls of wisdom she could now impart to those younger than her.
We Fought For A Clean Environment, Against War and for Human Rights
The kids seem to think that the problems they face are theirs alone. Wrong. Mark and I have talked the talk and walked the walk, many times. As we are childfree, we had more time to devote to activism than most parents.
Mark and I marched in the streets in 1990 against the Gulf War when the first George Bush held office.
When the second George Bush held office, my mother and I traveled to Washington DC in 2004 and marched with over a million people for a woman’s right to choose.
It was the largest march in herstory.
Mark and I marched in 2009 against the war in Afghanistan.
We marched in 2018 to bring attention to the children at the border who were tortured and then disappeared by the Trump administration.
And we marched in 2023 in solidarity with young people who want to address the effects of Climate Change.
In 2023, we also completed our “Nectarball: The Story of Cannabis” documentary in order to put gentle plant medicine rightfully back into the hands of We the People.
A Message to Young Ones
Don’t toss out your elders just because you don’t understand us or what we have done to try and make the world a better place for YOU. Instead of disparaging us, why not seek out a seasoned mentor who can give you some sage advice? Why not take advantage of the wealth of information that elders can offer? We all have something to offer. Even elders who suffer from dementia have lessons for you.
My mom used to tell me that “If you don’t ask, you don’t receive.” Be brave enough to ask.
As 98-year-old Dick Van Dyke sings in the classic musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” Put on a Happy Face and enjoy life. You only get one life to live. Make it a great one.