Finishing up on 58

I am just putting the finishing touches on 58.  I have 38 days left and then that slippery slope known as 59 will be the rule of the day.  Maybe that is why I seem to be hearing so much, all too much, about age lately.  Although it may be floating around a bit more this year ~ as most of my day is spent with people around half my age. 

Lets start with the youtube deal.  Yes, I have been watching CNN and having a ball watching my blooper aired in the segment, "Weird Questions."  The reporter narrates that some people forgot their question midstream ~ the fact is I lurched on whether or not I should refer to John Edwards as "Senator."  That's okay.  In fact the implication that I am old may be a leg up in the youtube thing, as CNN tells us every 20 minutes that the youtube debate is the "Young Person's Debate."  Now what is that about?  You page through the entries - it is people of all ages - and a few cats and dogs. 

Last Tuesday I went to a fantastic event, the first Ladies Party, given by Object.  They were celebrating Jessica Valenti's new book, Full Frontal Feminism, with music by Michelle Featherstone and Jonneine Zapata.  In the course of the evening, while talking with a few women in their mid twenties, I told them that a dream of mine is to travel with a panel, Bridging the Waves, with women who worked in the Second Wave and women who know only the Third Wave as I believe in what Deborah Siegal states in Sisterhood Interrupted, "... instead of making tidal waves together, we splash about in separate pools."  Imagine if we truly did unite.  But then one women in the circle said, "Yes, Zoe, we need women your age to teach us history."      

A few weeks ago while on the phone, in the midst of a discussion about the work of my significantly younger CANOW board members, I was told that I am a national treasure.  Why is it that I feel as though I am being told to get in my place?  And what drives me most crazy about it is that it happens right smack dab in the middle of participating in the current American Women's Movement.  I am not talking about the past.  I am not asking for a pass based on some past accomplishment.  AND I am not put off by the language, culture, fashion of today ~ I spend a lot of time defending it.

One of the better conversations on age I had recently was with a woman who is 24.  She was asking me about leadership, diversity and the American Women's Movement.  We talked about women in their 60's and 70's who don't want to be marginalized, trivialized or discarded.  She asked me directly what she could do.  It is simple really - invite us in.  Invite us into the Third Wave.  Invite us to march with you, to protest with you, to demonstrate WITH YOU.  No dais, no podium, no rarefied air, no special treatment, just make a bit of room.  No need to talk about the past.  Share the present.

Here's the truth of the matter ~ we originally and currently march for equality ~ let us march as equals.  It is what binds us.  It is what defines us as feminists.  Oh please don't even hint that I must now take on ageism.  Oh hell, not something else now.  Get me out of this bell jar - let me breathe and be a part of today's women's movement.  There is plenty to do.  Yes, you may have to slow down or even push my chair one day - but my heart is on fire for equality - age will not extinguish that.  And most of all, don't make age another obstacle to equality.  Equality will then be the National Treasure.

Comments

[Wendy Werris]

Brave, bold and powerful as usual. Thank you.

To those whose ignorance and fear want to put middle-aged goddesses such as yourself (and me) in a box of limitations,
I say, "Wake up! You are blessed to have mentors such as this, as we were to have them at your age."

ww

[k bosch]

it's strange to me that being called a 'national treasure' somehow translates into an insult for you. maybe you didn't share enough of the conversation for me to fully understand, but to me this comment doesn't scream out "get in your place old lady!" why is it we're suddenly ignorant and fearful (talk about a box of limitations).

i understand your point, you want to sit next to us (younger gen), you want to fight in today's movement, you want to cut through the crap and get busy RIGHT NOW! alright, sister, let's get busy...just maybe accept a compliment every now and then, eh?