Sharon Kourous: The view from here

"Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!" – Ingrid Bergman

Nearly 17% of the nation’s population is over the age of 70. You either are or hope to one day be a member of that group.

But still, ageism pervades advertising, entertainment and our work life. We are bombarded with messages reinforcing the stereotypes about age. That lines, wrinkles, gray hair, stiff knees, weak bladders, forgetfulness, confusion and general helplessness doom us all. Unless we buy the right cream, pills or treatment … all is lost. We must do all we can and spend as much as possible to avoid the misery of growing old. This widely promulgated stereotype creates a growing percentage of the population that sees itself as it is seen by others: weak, helpless a burden to society. Fear sells products; Americans fear wrinkles more than they fear the alternative to growing old. We spend trillions. “Unless we challenge ageist stereotypes … we feel shame and embarrassment instead of taking pride in the accomplishment of aging. That’s internalized ageism,” states author Ashton Applewhite in the excellent book, "This Chair Rocks."

Recent scientific developments indicate there is life after 65; brain plasticity, positive outlook, healthy eating and exercise all contribute to a vibrant life during all years. If you want to get something done, if you want to get a petition signed, if you want to protect minority rights, if you want to fight prejudice or book-banning — ask the elders: they’re already on it. Look around and you will find better-known achievers with gray hair: Jimmy Carter, Madeline Albright, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Queen Elizabeth II, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi — your parents or grandparents, the couple down the block, President Joe Biden, and – yes – former President Donald Trump. It’s not the number of years that give life value; it’s wisdom, generosity, empathy, respect for others.

Our Founding Fathers believed there should be a minimum age for the president and Congress but not a maximum age. The president and vice president must be 35 or older when assuming office; a senator, 30+, and a member of the House, 25+. Interestingly, Continental Congress member Tench Coxe wrote about presidential qualifications: “…as the President is to be one of the people at the end of his short term, so will he and his fellow citizens remember that he was originally one of the people; and that he is created by their breath. Further, he cannot be an idiot, probably not a knave or a tyrant, for those whom nature makes so, discover it before the age of thirty-five.”

Unfortunately, that turned out to be not always true.

The framers of the Constitution didn’t know about brain plasticity; the average life span was far lower then — but they did respect maturity and statesmanship. Mostly young men themselves, their background was the government of England which also set minimum ages. Their worldview included respect for the wisdom and achievements of their elders.

Today, our longer, healthier lifespans should not be a burden either to those who want to change jobs in their maturity or live actively or to those whom we elect to higher office. There are good reasons for Democrats to stand together and support the obvious legacy candidate. Mr. Biden’s step may slower; his tendency to stutter more apparent. But it’s not that the man stutters; it’s that he’s had the lifetime courage to work to overcome that and to speak publicly despite it. And the generosity to share his story with youthful stutterers. It’s not how many gray hairs that’s important; not how youthful the step; it’s accomplishment, experience and wisdom that matter. In President Biden we have a legacy of public service that has grown over time, a network of relationships with world leaders, and a lifetime of political craftsmanship; a lifetime of service to the ideals most of us cherish. The contrast with the loudest Republican candidate is not one of years but of ability: political statesmanship versus the “art of the deal.”

Sharon Kourous is a retired teacher and member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good. She resides in Monroe and can be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Sharon Kourous: View from here