Age Discrimination is Real

A week ago last Sunday, The New York Times published an opinion piece written by Ashton Applewhite about ageism in the work place. The article hit a valid point; one I've been talking about for quite a few years.

As some of you may know, the last decent paying, full time job I had was 14 years ago as a technical writer for Enterprise Rent-a-Car. I was laid off due to department reorganization - the whole department was eliminated and quite a few of us were let go. I had an opportunity to accept a position in another department, but my immediate manager snatched the job out from under me. Surprisingly, I wasn't angry about it. Enterprise never was a good fit for me anyway, so I waved goodbye and wished karma on my manager. I was foolishly confident that I would land another job quickly.

Since then, I've worked retail, went back to school to earn my bachelor's degree, and took care of my family. I applied for work in my field during this time and turned up dry. I suspected ageism while in college when the "kids" didn't want me on their advertising team. I tried to speak to my professors (most of whom were my age) and they carefully avoided the topic. When I applied for an internship with Maryland Heights Government Center, I was asked, "What are you doing back in school?" As if I wasn't allowed to go back and refresh my skills? Obviously, I didn't get that internship.

Working at Macy's, I meet all sorts of people; among which are older workers. Conversations I've had with fellow employees and customers further confirms the age discrimination practice. Recently, I met a couple who were forced out of their jobs and take early retirement because they were "too old." What was their occupation? Accountants.

Age discrimination is not only illegal, it's just plain wrong. The younger workers need and will benefit from the wisdom and experience of the older workers. Just because I won't get my nose pierced, dye my hair green, or get all tatted up isn't a measure of my skills as a writer. I can easily dance circles around any of those young kids, yet I am ignored because I was born during the Kennedy Administration.

I believe, in this era of economic uncertainty, my fellow older, displaced workers need to open up their own businesses. Yes, start a business and hire only older workers. No one under 30 need apply. The businesses may very well succeed. We have the know-how. We have the experience. We are savvy enough to make it work. Trouble of it all is . . . we would be practicing the very thing that put us out on the unemployment line. And it would be illegal.

Presidential Election and Our Future

Wow. Election season is always fraught with hostility, but this one just takes the cake. A business mogul/reality TV star thinks he has the stuff to be the leader of the free world. He's demonstrating his incredible people=pleasing skills by insulting everyone and everything in his path, encouraging violence at his political rallies, and resurrecting frightening memories of past fascist European leaders. His popularity is mind-boggling, to say the least. I have no clue what his plans are for running the country - he hasn't really articulated that yet. He's too busy shooting off his mouth about his opponents, Mexicans, Muslims, and anyone else he doesn't like.

Then we have other contenders for the highest office in the land. Two of them I'm pretty much ignoring, but maybe I shouldn't. Neither of them seem to be saying much. The other two have my attention. I'm ready for a woman president, but does it have to be the one campaigning now? I just don't trust her. To be fair, she proved her mettle while a senator from New York (in what way, I don't know - don't live in New York). She wasn't a delicate flower as Secretary of State, either. Until the Bengazi and e-mail server issues came forward. Now, I'm not so sure. The senator from Vermont seems to make a lot of pretty promises and paints a future filled with hope. His campaign ads are, for the most part, positive. Basically, I have a choice between an untrustworthy former Secretary of State and a senator who identifies himself as a Democratic Socialist. History has proven that Socialism looks great on paper but doesn't work well in real life. What kind of future will I get when I vote in November?

Many Americans are angry with the current state of the country. There are no jobs and despite what the White House says, the economy is not doing very well. Not for the rest of us. My past posts have talked about my personal situation and the new suburban poor. We need a leader who can pull people together and work toward a viable solution. We need corporations who are willing to invest in their communities. We need an educational system that will make us not only more competitive in the global marketplace, but useful here at home. We need a healthcare system that supports and treats our human condition. We need law enforcement that is trustworthy and accountable. We need to re-learn respect and the Golden Rule.

But, most of all, we need community. We have the capacity to create great things out of almost nothing. If we aren't a great country (and I'm not so sure we are), we have the capacity to become great again.

Remember our beginnings - thirteen British colonies who pulled together and told a global empire to stick it where the sun don't shine.