On aging activists

The following was originally posted in an Occupy Santa Rosa forum in response to some thoughts about the problems in inter-generational strife within the movement

I guess I'm an 'elder' now. Not quite sure how that happened. Just the other day I was 19 and exploring the world.

I can hope for about 15 years before the end of life descends with a vengeance. There’s one thing I've learned on visits to my 98 year old relative who suffers through her final years in that criminal system euphemistic called Long Term Care: "Getting old ain't for sissies!"

I hope the young can give us elders a little compassion now and then. Many of us already feel the cold winds of eternal night as it begins to blow through our aging joints. In our desperation, we may rant and rage.

Some have waited most of their lives for the global awakening, scarcely daring to dream it might happen before they passed on. In our enthusiasm we may overreact, repeat old behaviors, regress to the 60s...

Don't take our rants too personally. They’re just the last desperate and/or joyous cries of a passing generation. If you find a kernel of truth, run with it. If it’s empty noise, smile kindly and move on.

I think the elders still have a lot to teach, but usually not what they think they should teach. Most serve best as excellent bad examples. That's not such a bad role. It can be fun in an cranky, off-beat, liberating way.

Because we have already lost so much, we now have less to lose. This awareness is liberating. If we can really accept this fate, there may be a few new insights worth sharing.

We elders can listen, support, and lend a little historical perspective now and then if it seems essential. But our tired old fears and bitter warnings--no matter how relevant they once were—belong to another era. The oppressors already have scripts and weapons to defeat our bygone tactics.

I've been super impressed by the sophistication of the young this time around. They are way ahead of where we were in the 60's, when instigators could so easily divide and divert the movement.

I think that for all the reasons noted by emerald and others, it’s critical that the young continue to lead. I hope they break the rules, choose the direction, attempt the impossible (such as shutting down the ports!), seek allies everywhere, facilitate meetings, build momentum, goad us into a greater awakening, and keep the rest of us uncomfortable, off-balance, and wondering what will happen next.

As good ol’ Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) said, “History doesn’t repeat, it rhymes.” It’s time for the youth to add new stanzas to our shared story.