A Reflection on Ageism and Positive Discrimination
Last week we addressed the issue of ‘ageism’, which refers to the discrimination that many older people face simply because of their age. Sometimes this discrimination manifests itself in subtle ways, such as when we limit ourselves too much or allow other, younger people to make the decisions for us. However, in other situations, this discrimination can become dramatic, as happened with the “triage” during the Covid pandemic.
Positive Discrimination as a Form of Recognition
Despite this, it is gratifying when we are discriminated against in a “positive” way. While in Prague recently, I discovered that all public transport is free for over 65s, and we all get a 50% discount on trains. This begs the question: If we want to be treated the same as everyone else, why do we claim benefits that are exclusive to us? Why do we fight to strengthen the organizations of the elderly and ask for special recognition for our community?
The Claim of the Elderly and Positive Discrimination
The answer is clear: too often, we are not treated as equals. We are forgotten, we are not consulted in decision-making, we are considered as people already paid off, and we have the feeling that we disturb and that our experience is not valued. This justifies the need for “positive discrimination” as a form of recognition and compensation.
The Fight against the Digital Divide and Positive Discrimination
A concrete example of this claim is the fight against the digital divide. The technology is being applied to banking institutions and the Administration, leaving aside a large number of people who are not prepared to assimilate it. This highlights the need for positive discrimination to ensure that no sector of society is left behind in this digital age.
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