Street cred, giving props, a shout out, showing respect. All-important signs of the “now” generation in our social bouillabaisse. We hear of fights and issues arising when young ‘uns don’t feel they’ve been given “respect”. While not a new phenomenon, it seems to be mentioned a lot nowadays by misguided miscreants after unnecessary incidents.
Traditionally, respect is something one earns. Leaders, teachers, bosses, peers, et al., might earn your respect based on repeated actions, intentions, and words. As we age, we don’t automatically garner respect or trust, just because we age. There are childish, uncaring elders. There are also wisdom-filled, younger folk who behave in ways that belie their years. They earn our respect.
Because we are all individuals. Let’s not group people or pre-judge for uninformed convenience’s sake. Stereotyping is mental laziness. Even local jokes. Not all (fill in the blanks) are (fill in the blank). The end. People should be assessed and befriended (or not) based on their actions, words, soul, empathy, morality, warmth, and integrity.
Recently, I noticed how I appeared to gain instant cred while attending a concert with concertgoers mostly half my age. While a dinosaur, I must be somewhat cool if I’m at a 2024 concert popular with Gen Z’ers or Millennials, right? I avoided the mosh pit at an amazing Green Day/Smashing Pumpkins/Rancid/Linda Lindas spectacle (in the Portland rain), and apparently scored points when Green Day appeared onstage amid a recording of the last half of Queen’s iconic anthem, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and I boldly asserted to someone seated next to me that I actually saw the real Queen perform with Freddie Mercury…twice. So he gave the old man props!
At some level, most wanna fit in, be accepted for who they are and perhaps gain a modicum of respect. It is important for elders to instill in up-and-comers that they should take great pride in who we are and what they do without worrying about trolls, bullies, wannabes, misanthropes, and anonymous anti-social media. As Paul McCartney once sang, “let it be… there will be an answer; let it be”. Be yourself; free yourself.
Let’s acknowledge the younger generations’ strivers when they act appropriately- consciously helping others, acting selfless. Self-esteem has taken a beating with teens post-COVID. So fellow Boomers, let’s make time to selectively spread wisdom as youngsters spread their wings. Help them feel OK in their own skin. Pops giving props.
Think about it…