The Agism Absurdity

I’m old.

There, I said it. I wear it like a badge of honor, not a scarlet letter.

Yet...

In a world obsessed with “anti-discrimination,” my age somehow makes me a second-class citizen. Let’s talk about the hypocrisy of a culture that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—but then quietly, or not so quietly, turns a blind eye to ageism.

Age is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices. In a world that prides itself on being “woke,” it’s shocking how we treat those with more candles on their birthday cake. We’re told not to share our age on résumés because we might be passed over for younger candidates.

We’re advised to “keep up” with social media trends or risk irrelevance.

And...

Don’t even get me started on the patronizing comments—“You’re so tech-savvy for your age!”

Really?

The irony is glaring: DEI initiatives have taken significant strides in addressing issues of race, gender, and sexuality.

These efforts are essential and long overdue. But why is age so often left out of the equation? Why do we talk about inclusivity in every aspect of identity except the one thing that, if we’re lucky, we all experience—growing older?

It’s as though society is trying to erase aging entirely. We glorify youth to the point of absurdity. Ads promise us “anti-aging” creams and serums as though wrinkles are a disease to be cured.

Hollywood casts 35-year-olds to play the parents of teenagers.

And...

In corporate America, phrases like “fresh energy” and “next-gen talent” are thinly veiled codes for “you’re too old to matter.”

From a psychological perspective, this is not just a cultural flaw—it’s a collective neurosis.

Our obsession with youth reveals a deep-seated fear of mortality. In marginalizing older generations, we’re not just avoiding wrinkles and gray hair; we’re avoiding the inevitable reality of our own aging process.

But here’s the thing:

Age is not a weakness.

It’s a strength.

A gift.

A reservoir of wisdom, resilience, and perspective that no 20-something can manufacture overnight.

Research in psychology tells us that older adults often have greater emotional regulation, higher levels of empathy, and more nuanced problem-solving skills than their younger counterparts.

Why wouldn’t we want those qualities in our workplaces, communities, and leadership positions?

Let’s call out the hypocrisy for what it is.

You can’t wave the flag of DEI while sidelining people based on their birth year. True inclusivity means valuing every voice at the table, regardless of whether it remembers life before smartphones.

So...

To the hiring managers, the marketers, and the culture-makers:

Stop conflating “old” with “outdated.”

Stop acting like age is a liability rather than an asset. And to everyone reading this, don’t apologize for the years you’ve lived—they’re the chapters of your story.

Here’s my bold challenge: Let’s rewrite the narrative on age.

Let’s start treating our elders with the respect they deserve, not as relics of a bygone era but as vital contributors to the world we’re building.

If we truly value diversity, let’s include age in the conversation.

Otherwise, all the woke posturing is just lip service.

My Perspective...

A culture that diminishes the value of experience diminishes itself. Let’s stop pretending we’re enlightened while perpetuating ageist biases.

The years I’ve lived are not a burden; they’re a testament.

And...

I, for one, am not going to hide them.

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Hi! I'm Steven. My mission is to Inspire belief, build relationships, and better the world...

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