Activism Across Generations
In the last few weeks, we have seen
thousands of Black Lives Matter activists
use their voice through demonstrations,
signing petitions, and reaching out to
local elected officials to call for change
in their communities and across the
country. This movement stirs memories
for us older New Yorkers.
New York City has a long history of
activism that helped ignite important
movements in the 1960s and 1970s
– civil rights, women’s rights, status
of Puerto Rico, anti-war, and LGBT
liberation – all of which led to important
changes in our country. We would not
be the City we are today without that
generation of activists, who are now our
older New Yorkers.
As a new generation of activists step
in, older New Yorkers who have been
demanding change for decades serve as
leading examples for others to follow.
Many current laws and regulations
that protect against discrimination and
promote equality can be credited to the
efforts of our elders.
Every June we celebrate Pride Month,
a month in which we commemorate the
contributions of the LGBT community
and the LGBT rights movement that
began with the Stonewall Inn uprising
of 1969. It was an event that helped build
the momentum for LGBT rights, which
From left to right: A civil rights demonstration in Central Park in the 1960s,
photo by Richard Henry. A demonstration in Harlem earlier this month.
continue today for young and older New
Yorkers. Organizations like SAGE USA’s
New York chapter and the Queens Center
for Gay Seniors, which are part of the New
York City Department for the Aging’s
(DFTA) network of congregate centers,
offer services designed to support older
LGBT New Yorkers. In these centers,
many older New Yorkers continue to be
agents of change and advocate for LGBT
older adults.
The same is true of older New Yorkers
throughout the five boroughs who are
active within their own neighborhoods
by being members of their community
boards, volunteering for local nonprofits
and being active members in their senior
centers – many which continue to offer
services virtually over video conferencing
or phone due to COVID-19.
And of course, we have older New
Yorkers who are advocates for older adults
and against ageism, like the Gray Panthers.
Taking their name from the Black
Panthers, this organization advocates
for equality for all people, regardless of
age, and believe that both the old and the
young have much to contribute to make
our society more just and humane.
It is often said that youth are the
catalysts of change. And they are, just
as we were when we were young. But
activism is something that must be
continued throughout an individual’s
lifetime, regardless of age. Today’s youth
are calling for change and reforms that are
necessary for our city and our country.
Albany lawmakers have listened and
recently signed a bill package of criminal
justice and police reform bills. But there is
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still more work to be done. We must also
not lose sight of fighting against ageism.
As we continue giving attention to the
activists and movements that will bring
about change, it’s important that we,
older generations and older New Yorkers,
utilize our experience and knowledge
to support our youth and ask for their
support against ageism.
NYC Department for the
Aging Commissioner
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
Schneps Media June 18, 2020 11
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