Reverse Ageism in Black Culture
Particularly, in the black community this underlying issue is a culprit that seems to seek to distort every well-meaning intention in the fight for equality. That culprit is reverse ageism.
It may sound silly to some but if we pay attention, reverse ageism, although it may not be distinctly identified as such, is one of the main complaints that younger activists cite when it comes to building support of their efforts from others within the race. Reverse ageism can often be seen in subtle ways when criticisms are made regarding how protests are being represented and organized as compared to those which were organized years ago by men and women who are considered elders and veterans of past movements, namely the Civil Rights Movement. Many considered past efforts to have been more organized, more strategic, and more productive than those that are currently being carried out.
Recently, Oprah came under fire for making a comment in an interview in which she stated that she was looking for a leader to emerge from the activism and current protests taking place. Many involved in the efforts responded with severe backlash because it was believed that her comment undermined the efforts of younger activists by suggesting that they needed to be led as if insinuating that they were without focus. Likewise, during the Justice for All march in Washington, D.C. in December of last year, young protesters became upset with the Rev. Al Sharpton, head of the National Action Network, when it appeared that at his direction, they were not given their chance to speak and to represent as contributing organizers of the March. They felt that they had once again been shut out.
However, this issue is nothing new within the black community. In the recent movie Selma, which was essentially a true account of how the march on Selma was organized, tensions between younger and older organizers were brought forth and revisited. Frontrunner Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other activists who were a part of the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) such as James Bevel, Andrew Young, Diane Nash, Amelia Boynton, Hosea Williams, and Bayard Rustin, were at odds with members of other organizations such as the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) which was comprised of young black college students during that time. One of those students included current Congressman John R. Lewis. Even back then, disagreements on how the movement should be handled and who could handle it best were occurring and threatening to disrupt the collective efforts of all of those involved.
However, to understand reverse ageism in the black community, one must be knowledgeable of black culture and the mindset of how age is viewed within it. To be clear, although we in the western world live in a society which is largely known for celebrating youth, that is a view largely held by those who are white because it is their culture that largely dominates the western world. Also, despite the heavy use of cultural appropriation in America, we should understand that what we see and hear in the media is not reflective of black culture in its truest form nor does it take into account ethnic minority viewpoints and cultural standards on age. Those of us who are black or identify as such are brought up in environments with a totally different viewpoint on age than the majority. In black culture, those who are older are revered, celebrated, and honored. The elderly in the black community are viewed as wise, and they are to be obeyed and almost never to be questioned. On the contrary, youth is often associated with inexperience and in some cases is even associated with foolishness.
Most of us in the black community growing up have heard the phrase “young people” followed by a statement of chastisement, warning, or perhaps even loving advice. I don’t think that anyone within the black community can fully be certain that they know when someone crosses over from being a young person to being older, wise, and more responsible. Personally, as one who is in her 30’s, I think that most of my peers in my age group would agree that we are still being grouped in the category of “young people” even as we approach our 40’s.
The problem with reverse ageism in the black community is that when it comes to the fight for equality, nothing worthwhile will ever be accomplished if both sides are fighting for their turn in the spotlight touting that their way is best without ever taking the time to open up their minds and listen to one another. Young activists acknowledge the greatness of their elders but argue that their ways are now useless and out of date. Older and more experienced activists acknowledge the energy and eagerness of young protesters who want to be involved but argue that they lack focus, organization, and clear goals. Each group somehow seems to be feeding into the idea that they know the best way to move the cause forward with little to no help from the other.
It’s futile.
The truth is that the concerns of both the young and the old are valid.
If young people want to see their goals for equality accomplished, it is true that they will need focus, clear goals, and keen organized strategies.
Likewise…
If older people don’t want to see all of their hard work and efforts go down the drain, they will need to be willing to let go of their pride and mentor young activists so that they are prepared to lead.
A child who has never learned to walk was never taught to do so in the first place. So if he isn’t trusted to stand alone, the fault doesn’t lie solely within the child himself but with those who were entrusted to care for him. That is essentially what has happened within the black community. Many young people are berated for their actions or lack thereof when oftentimes the reality is that those who came before them neglected to teach and show them how to lead. Mentoring and teaching is a way of depositing your knowledge and wisdom into those who are coming after you. It assures that your work and your legacy does not die with you!
One of the main goals in furthering the cause should always be to pass the torch, not fight to hold onto it. Doing so benefits no one.
Young people have a desire to follow in the footsteps of their elders but they cannot do it if they are constantly told to sit down.
That is the quickest way to the downfall of a people.
Reverse ageism in the black community is something that should be addressed further so that we can begin to correct its counterproductive effects amongst our people and in our continued collective efforts for equality.
Respect and reverence should never come at the cost of growth and progression. We have to work together to move forward.
A. L. Hearn