Rock 'n' Roll, Ageism and Human Rights

If you can change your mind
And see what's there to find
There's rhythm in the Spirit
- Kansas

Today is World Human Rights Day. Rock 'n' roll is over 50 years old. ROFFEKE would like to shed some light on Ageism.

In 2014, Richard Eisenberg wrote an article in Forbes titled "Older Rock Stars Reflect on Aging". He shared highlights of a "fun panel from the San Diego confab: Elder Rock 'n' Roll Musicians Reflect on Aging." He writes: "I found it enlightening to hear what Ringo Starr, Keith Richards and the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh - all still performing - said about growing older and staying creative plus musings about aging from Joni Mitchell and Grace Slick, who no longer are." Read the interesting article here.

In the opening session of a conference titled "From Ageism to Age Equality: Addressing the Challenges", Loretta Crawley spoke on the topic of "What is Ageism". She cited Butler who defined ageism as "the systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people simply because of their age." She also cited Palmore who outlined some stereotypes associated with older people. They include: mental decline, mental illness, uselessness, isolation, poverty, depression.

There are many things I like about the Kansas music video for "Rhythm in the Spirit" directed by Emmy-award winner Steven C. Knapp (read his ROFFEKE interview here). Top on my list is that the music video challenges all the above-mentioned stereotypes about older people.

Kansas has been around since the 1970s. The band members are in their late 50s and in their 60s. However, as the music video clearly shows, the members of Kansas are skillful, work well together and are clearly having fun! Indeed, there's Rhythm in the Spirit, not in how old you are. And as Stephen C. Knapp said in his ROFFEKE interview: "Your age is your attitude".

ROFFEKE is committed to promoting positive aging and will adopt the following three actions as outlined by Loretta Crawley in her presentation:
- recognizing and challenging ageist stereotypes
- not ignoring older people
- including pictures [music videos and short films] of older people in publications [the ROFFEKE blog].

In 2008, triplex left this comment about "Combined Ages of the Rolling Stones: 254 Years Old": "For centuries, people have looked for the Philosopher's Stone. It is said to turn led [sic] into gold and keeps you young. The 'Stones' have found it. It's called 'Rock' and Roll! And I love it!"