Racism, Sexism, and Ageism in America

By: Edmund Celia

        Any word that ends with i.s.m. is an illness. There are many types of these words used in America. For example, racism, sexism and ageism are usually based on hate and stereotypes and are symptoms of a malady. Theses ism(s), pronounced is-ums are diseases that center on a soul sickness. In addition, the i.s.m. could also stand for I, self, and me. These labels are all based on self-centered fear. We as a society, and also as Americans, need to take a stand against these hurtful prejudice ideals. 

           This video shows various people that are racist, sexist and ageist in some way. For example, the woman that is portraying Marilyn Monroe is a racist and a sexist. She implies that Sarah Palin would be a good Vice President, because she is a woman and she won a beauty contest. However, Obama would not make a good president, because he is black, but “she (Marilyn) is not prejudice.”  In addition, the other lady in the orange shirt is an ageist. She talks about John McCain’s age. He is seventy five, and that he running for president is a health question not an age issue. I don’t know about you, but I can read between the lines. She (the lady in the orange shirt) is concerned with his age and him being not well, because of his age. Anybody can get sick at any age. Nevertheless, it is not a concern for the other candidates.

In conclusion, we remembered September 11, 2001’s anniversary this month. There was no racism, sexism, or ageism on that day ten years ago. We all joined together as Americans after the touristic attacks in NY, DC, and PA. We should act altruist every day. It should not take a tragic event, caused by bad people, to bring out the best in most people. Thus, I agree with the African American guy in the end of the video. He says, “people should be free to be who they are” regardless of race, sex, or age.  

Racism among the elderly

By: Sheena Jeffrey

       I have to start off my saying that not all elderly people are racist, but during the last eight years since I have been working with the elderly, I have encountered some very racist elderly people. I have worked at a few nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assitant and because of my work I am expected to assist my elderly residents with activities that they can no longer do by themselves. Most of my patients are caucasian and allow me to help them with no problems, But there are a few from the minute their eyes focus on me make comments like; "Can I have someone else" or " I don't want that nigga in my room". I have had a few tell me go back to Africa, but not in a nice way and who just assume well "you have this job because you were born to weigh on me hands and feet". While I know that it probaly was common when they were themselves young to treat people of a different race as they were inferior to them, I would have hope that with time came the realization that we are not inferior, but on the same level just of a different social or cultural background.

     The picture below shows caucasian residents of a nursing althought not the only group of people that display racism towards people of different racial or ethnic background in this setting (nursing home) many of them believe that they are superior.

    

         Elderly people not only in nursing home makes racial comments, the video below show an elderly person on the the train calling someone the "N" word because this person sat down next to her:

      

           It is sad to see racism still exist but is all around us, but even more so on television and I beleive that if we are to put a stop to it we need to start with our media. Below show a clip about the some racial moments on TV, not among elderly people but from people some of us may like and even respect:

        In conclusion, althought I would love to see racisim go away today the reality is that tommorrow it will still be here. Our first step in doing this is my showing resistance, standing up and doing your part in saying "No this is not right, I am not inferior to you".