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What Would a World Without Ageism Look Like?


Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m a digital dinosaur.

 I don’t even have a TikTok account (you too?). I’ve thought I’m too old for that social media platform (my internal ageism). And, then, an MEA alum sent me this 90-second clip of a 68-year-old on TikTok talking about her relationship with aging. It got me to thinking how often I age myself out of opportunities to grow. I’m not sure investing time in TikTok will help me grow all that much, but I know that my internal ageism stopped me from learning Spanish or surfing until I asked myself this question when I moved to Mexico at age 56, “Ten years from now, what will I regret if I don’t learn or do it now?” That was the catalyst that prompted me to become a novice Spanish speaker and surfer. 

While I like this 68-year-old TikTokker, I wanted to see who is the preeminent anti-aging activist in the world. So I asked ChatGPT about who were the leaders in the anti-ageism movement and number one on the list was Ashton Applewhite whose TED talk “Let’s End Ageism” has been seen by two million people. Ashton has been to our MEA Baja campus before as a guest and will be teaching in Baja this December 9-14. What an epic opportunity to gather with fellow age-fluid folks who want to explore how to create a more age-friendly society.

Ashton co-founded Old School, the amazing anti-ageism clearinghouse six years ago, which now contains over 450 resources that has become the go-to digital spot for journalists, teachers & students, policymakers, and anyone else interested in dismantling ageism. This summer she and her co-founders, therapist and educator Kyrié Carpenter and age activist Ryan Backer, are creating an inaugural session of Summer School in Montréal. I have no doubt that these three will create a wonderful experience August 17-19 and it’s a beautiful time of year to be in that stately Canadian city. For more info and to register, click here.  Space is limited; registration closes July 26. 

As Ashton says at the end of her TED talk, “Longevity is here to stay. A movement to end ageism is underway. I’m in it, and I hope you will join me.” I’m in it as well. Hope you’ll join Ashton in either Montréal or Baja (ironic that we have to leave the U.S. to talk about this subject) – or maybe both. 

-Chip

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