Spare me the ageist bullshit

I am weary weary weary of ageism, from the I’ve fallen and I can’t get up stereotype of the frail, helpless older person to the gee-whiz look at this older person actually doing something stereotype of exceptionalism.Now comes more ageism coupled with the current let’s find more ways to sow division among ourselves zeitgeist. In addition to (abbreviated list here) race, class, sex, gender identity, religion, geography, how about let’s plant and water and nourish the seeds of a deep generational divide. Yeah, let’s do that.So, my fellow Democrats, we are hearing this incessant drumbeat: Bernie is supported by the young and not the old. If he wins it will be the triumph of the young people over the old people. The young are progressive and open-minded, and the old are…not.But WAIT. Bernie is old!And, hold on there, the older generation (dismissed lately with “Okay, Boomer..”)—tens of millions of women and men born into that generation—were the heart and soul of the many social justice and reform movements of the 60s and 70s: second-wave feminism, reproductive rights, gay rights, Black power/ empowerment, environmental action, student rights, anti-war, free medical clinics, alternative schools. The democratic socialist ideals and principles that Bernie stands for were (and continue to be) embraced by millions in this older generation. Of which he is but one example.So, please, don’t tell me Millennials have a lock on progressive ideals and policies. Please don’t tell me the older generation is not just frail and feeble and helpless and sexless--but (gasp) conservative as well. Please don’t divide us.Because you know who will conquer.Oh, and by the way, as a committed and enthusiastic supporter of Bernie's ideas, I am a Warren woman. Her politics mirror Bernie’s, but I think she’s smarter and more thoughtful. And she doesn’t constantly stab her finger at you when she talks.