Bridging Generations
By our newest Board Member, Laurie Stammer
I wanted to address one thing we need to keep in mind in all communication and that is that we are playing in the silo that people expect us to be in. That ultimately is a way to create issues that pit groups against each other.
For instance, there is a common belief that seniors get so much for their retirement (especially those of us with a union pension) that it is hurting younger generations. That our children and grandchildren will not be able to attain the same level of stability in retirement. Most think they will never be able to retire at all. I believe that this narrative works to divide us into isolated groups by age. It further amplifies the notion of scarcity- that there is simply not enough money, healthcare, housing, etc., for each generation to have what they need. We know that getting people to buy the scarcity model is part of the plan to continue to funnel wealth to the top.
To combat this and to stop the hostility sometimes aimed at seniors, we should describe meeting seniors needs as building the groundwork to ensure that our children and grandchildren also have their needs met. Examples: the 8-hour workday and the week-end are a standard for us because those before us achieved them. Strong senior support should be there for following generations because we establish the standard NOW, with no risk of running out of money or trained people who will address the need of elders now and in the future, whether they are the biggest generation or not. Strong systems addressing every stage of life are the building blocks of a strong childcare, education, health care, and senior support system. We focus on our immediate needs, but we also should clearly link our needs to the issues all generations face. That is how we can break the bias and negativity associated with our generation. We are certainly concerned about our increasingly specialized needs, but we are also the people who worked all our lives to make sure that our children and their children have an even better opportunity than we did. When we don't speak up when we are labeled, for whatever reason, we accept the label to some degree.
This is why it is important that we develop strong bonds with people outside of our demographic, refuse the silo, and stay a part of our communities. This is a two-way street, and if we are asking people to care about the issues that we care about, we must return the favor. I think we should have conversations at neighborhood levels, in our places of worship and wherever we can- and including the union halls we all came out of- and talk about standing together for a better and fairer system for everyone.
We have a lifetime of skills to give back to our communities, they have no value if they die with us. We need to make connections, talk about the challenges in front of us all, and paint the challenges in the stark contrast between a Biden or Trump presidency for another four years. What will it mean for our job and housing security, which path will help or harm us in fighting the inequities already on our agenda. And maybe most importantly, the price of complacency in this election cycle could be tragic. I worry most that folks are going to get so tired of the political hype that they will tune out and not vote- especially if the rumors that Trump has “won” Minnesota gain strength.
Where we can set up booths, let’s do it. Where we can organize community events, let’s do it. Where we can create meaningful phone banks and talk to people who may be undecided, let’s do that too.
Maybe at the state fair or in county fairs we could have picnic tables out where folks can rest. We can be there to start conversations and engage people as they take a break. We can do the same at coffee at church or at a senior center. We can offer coffee and cookies in places that would lead to recruits to help us in this task Maybe we set up a table like girl scouts do, at union grocery stores, and chat with folks coming in and out and give them a free piece of candy or a chance to win things if they fill out a commitment form.
I hope you will join me in “working this idea”.
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