MEDICAL SELF-CARE

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FERGUSON: Can you give some examples of how older people should fight ageism with bloody-mindedness?

COMFORT: They should stand up for their dignity. And if others don't recognize it, they should put them down. They should react to people who use disparaging terms about seniors—such as "old biddy", "dirty old man", "old lady in tennis shoes", and "old crock"—the way black people react to the term "nigger". They should tell such individuals that they don't appreciate that kind of language. In most cases the speakers mean no harm, and a strong reaction can help them to see older individuals as people first and old only secondarily.

FERGUSON: You're suggesting that older folks become more militant, then.

COMFORT: I am. About 75% of what we call "old age" is actually a product of our institutions and attitudes. We should certainly work on understanding the remaining 25%—the biological aspects of aging—but it's the unnecessary 75% on which we can most profitably concentrate. Recognizing aging as primarily a social, cultural, and political phenomenon is an idea that hasn't occurred to most people . . . and coming to that understanding requires a big change.

FERGUSON: How is ageism political?

COMFORT: We have, for instance, laws that permit mandatory retirement . . . that deprive people of useful work and cut off their source of income just when they need it the most.

FERGUSON: You'd think that older people could form a powerful political block.

COMFORT: They could. Not only do they have the numbers, but they also often have an inestimably valuable weapon . . . free time. And while black activists needed a national drive to register their voters, most seniors are already registered. The sole reason that this massive political clout hasn't been brought to bear is that older voters tend to be isolated. The major seniors' organizations are nonprofit groups precluded from political campaigning. That leaves the Gray Panthers as the sole organization working for anti-ageist reforms. That group's brand of radicalism—which sees all people as ageless—is a novel one, even among professional radicals.

FERGUSON: Are there political groups or interests that would fight against the changes you're suggesting?

COMFORT: I really don't think so. The main obstacle is simple cultural inertia. There's no national interest that would be infringed ... no economic danger that would be incurred . . . and no person who would be hurt by a recognition of older people's rights. After all, we're all going to be senior citizens if we live long enough!

FERGUSON: In A Good Age you refer to some striking facts that debunk many of the common misconceptions about old people. Could you review a few of them?

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