To the editor:

Words matter, and a two letter suffix can be the difference between description and this newly understood concept of “othering.”

Elder is a word that invokes a person who has lived a lot, seen a lot, learned a lot. These life lessons are rich with understanding, guiding principles, a thing we often call wisdom. As a gerontological social worker, I have spent the past forty years listening and learning. It has been a blessing for me personally and I have worked hard to be deserving. Those who have developed wisdom seem to have an extra sense for the quality of an interaction and time has a special value. There seems less willingness to “suffer fools gladly,” and it has been a force within me to try not to be foolish. Listening without judgement has helped me to be more deserving.

Elderly is a word that invokes vulnerability and frailty. Two simple letters and judgements pour in. I hope I understand correctly that this is what “othering” refers to. Physical and cognitive vulnerabilities can occur (not always!) with advancing years, and sometimes earlier with illness. It is our loss if we don’t sharpen our listening skills to honor the elder in the elderly.

These concepts are currently a part of our political discourse. Our current President has developed a vision for an economic future that is more balanced and fair, an awareness that environmental change needs our attention now, a global leadership that is based less on exploitation of resources and power. A process that takes the best of who we are as a nation and allows us to begin to shed the worst of who we have been. Political maturity seems like a fitting term for this. This is what a wise leader brings. It is my fervent hope that we have the collective social maturity to listen. Am afraid this might not come from the news media and requires us to look elsewhere. I have a question for my fellow citizens, are we deserving?

Laura Young

Barrington