“I saw the part of you that only when you’re older you will see too.”
Opening lyrics from the song, “You’re Somebody Else” by Flora Cash
When will the “dirty old man” get his day in court?
The awful “N” word is dared not
The Washington Redskins, I’m sure, have spent millions of dollars exploring the option of changing their name to something deemed “less offensive” to our Native Americans.
There’s a bushel-basket full of derogatory ethnic slurs from the early 20th century that have long since been abandoned, save for the Archie Bunker fanboys of days long past.
Stereotyping of any kind, name calling, is a bad habit that should have been outlawed in the same manner as public smoking of cigarettes.
Bad. Bad. Bad.
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Mother’s wisdom still haunts my inner brain. She’s gone, but her simple and wise words live on, in me.
The other day, while walking in the mall, I overheard the two women in front of me say, “Dirty Old Man!”
I saw the same thing they saw, but arrived at a totally different conclusion.
There was a couple walking towards us holding hands;
But, “Dirty Old Man”?
Bigot much?
Why?
Where is the age chart which outlines exactly what age difference between a man and a woman is deemed socially appropriate?
Dirty Old Man or Cougar, both terms are offensive and show a narrow-mindedness that should have been jettisoned long ago.
I speculate the term was first introduced either by older women jealous of their more youthful female competition or by sad older men who didn’t have the wear-with-all or confidence to go after the younger women they so desperately wanted. Perhaps the derogatory term was proffered by young men of questionable stability and income?
Were they jealous of the financial and emotional security older men have in spades that they could not provide between drunken frat parties and bong hits?
Younger women, for very practical reasons, find emotional and financial security very attractive. Often more so than boyish looks, muscles, and immaturity!
The origin of the term “Dirty Old Man” phrase is irrelevant though.
Slurs based upon age, ethnicity, skin color, religion, sexual preference, body size, etc. are all rude and detrimental to the process of us all getting along on this great planet Earth.
We’re only here for a short while. Why should we be cutting ourselves off from groups of other people by putting them down, when there are so many people, who are lonely and troubled?
How much better when each person is treated as an individual, with struggles and acheivements very similar to our own.
So many stories to be shared, experiences to be passed on. Good feelings, kindness should be spread like wild flowers, instead of spreading hate like weeds.
Everyone is searching for their own happiness, love, purpose. Live and let live! If no one is hurting you, let them be. Let them be whatever they desire to be.
Humanity will go on as always, changing.
Labels deemed appropriate today will be judged and reorganized and redefined by a new generation soon enough.
I think its time the “Dirty Old Man” and “The Cougar” had their day in court.
That’s some stinkin’ thinkin’ man. Those terms should die.
Love between the ages, is no different than any love at all.
Two folks making each other happy. The world
(Elder’s on a rant today, but I’m with him on this)
Who have you made happy today?
What are you not doing to make yourself happy because of fear over what “they” might say?
Sheryl Crow in her hit song says,
“If it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad.”
I agree! Do it!
Before it’s too late.
“Bene Vivere!”
ElderBob Schwarztrauber
