Because I'm a lonely shut-in with a crap boyfriend and a bunch of animals, I have to find my entertainment where I can. One of my favorite things to do on a weekend is google "AGT surprise". For the uninitiated, AGT is short for America's Got Talent. Now, when you perform this google search, you will receive various fill in suggestions such as "AGT surprise singers" or "Simon's top five surprises". Pick whichever takes your fancy. Your results will be for both America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent and both are totally worthwhile.
I do this specific search because I'm one of those people who can't really watch Olympic gymnastics or figure skating and who googles "Survivor winner" before finishing watching the finale. I want everyone to do well and I want everyone to win. I just feel so bad for those who don't do well or lose and so it isn't fun for me. So I google "AGT surprise" because I get to see the cream of the crop so to speak. This little 12 year-old girl with a puppet shows up, giggles from nerves and then wows everyone by belting out 'Summer Time' with her mouth closed. Two storm troopers appear, say nothing, disappear only to reappear with four others so that they can dance and make everyone very happy. Little kids come and belt out songs in voices you'd never expect, blind people play the piano beautifully... well, you get it.
Here is the thing that gets me. Why are people always so surprised when older people show up and do something amazing? A duo, one 54, one 84 shows up and perform feats of strength. Crowd goes wild and the shots of the audience are of people who are stunned. An 80 year-old appears with a young man, the judges are judgy from the get go thinking they are a couple, and then they dance and everyone is stunned. Why? Why are people so freaking surprised that old people are talented and can do stuff?
We live in the 21st century. At this point, we no longer have the excuse of "it was a different era and that's just how people were then" when it comes to racist/sexist/bigoted old people. Everyone alive has either lived through the civil rights era or knows about it so there is no excuse or justification for that stupid shit. And there are a ton of people alive today who lived through the 60's, 70's, and on. Of course older people have talent. Where the fuck do you think this shit comes from? Like young people are the ones who created music, dance, art, etc? Nope, sorry younger lot, that was all created generations before you.
I don't know why this bothers me but it does. I like old people, always have. And I guess I just hate that so many people underestimate them. It will never end, younger people treating older people like children. Doubting them, speaking down to them, assuming they are incapable. Just because a person doesn't know how to Skype does not mean they are either stupid or incompetent. It just means they don't know how to use something. You know what? I'm middle aged and I'm not sure I know how to Skype. Also, direct deposit is something that became a 'thing' in my lifetime, when I was just out of college. And I was a hold out. I didn't trust it so I got my hard copy checks and deposited them in the bank every other Friday until my power windows died and I got tired of having to stand outside of my car at the drive thru because the inside portion of the bank closed before I could get there. I was like 25 at the time.
So you know, don't be surprised by older people. Be impressed and in awe of their talent but don't be fucking surprised. Everything we do is based on what was created before. And some people keep in shape and stay active their entire lives so continue to do what they do.
But also, don't make excuses for your racist asshole older relatives. They are just assholes.
I do this specific search because I'm one of those people who can't really watch Olympic gymnastics or figure skating and who googles "Survivor winner" before finishing watching the finale. I want everyone to do well and I want everyone to win. I just feel so bad for those who don't do well or lose and so it isn't fun for me. So I google "AGT surprise" because I get to see the cream of the crop so to speak. This little 12 year-old girl with a puppet shows up, giggles from nerves and then wows everyone by belting out 'Summer Time' with her mouth closed. Two storm troopers appear, say nothing, disappear only to reappear with four others so that they can dance and make everyone very happy. Little kids come and belt out songs in voices you'd never expect, blind people play the piano beautifully... well, you get it.
Here is the thing that gets me. Why are people always so surprised when older people show up and do something amazing? A duo, one 54, one 84 shows up and perform feats of strength. Crowd goes wild and the shots of the audience are of people who are stunned. An 80 year-old appears with a young man, the judges are judgy from the get go thinking they are a couple, and then they dance and everyone is stunned. Why? Why are people so freaking surprised that old people are talented and can do stuff?
We live in the 21st century. At this point, we no longer have the excuse of "it was a different era and that's just how people were then" when it comes to racist/sexist/bigoted old people. Everyone alive has either lived through the civil rights era or knows about it so there is no excuse or justification for that stupid shit. And there are a ton of people alive today who lived through the 60's, 70's, and on. Of course older people have talent. Where the fuck do you think this shit comes from? Like young people are the ones who created music, dance, art, etc? Nope, sorry younger lot, that was all created generations before you.
I don't know why this bothers me but it does. I like old people, always have. And I guess I just hate that so many people underestimate them. It will never end, younger people treating older people like children. Doubting them, speaking down to them, assuming they are incapable. Just because a person doesn't know how to Skype does not mean they are either stupid or incompetent. It just means they don't know how to use something. You know what? I'm middle aged and I'm not sure I know how to Skype. Also, direct deposit is something that became a 'thing' in my lifetime, when I was just out of college. And I was a hold out. I didn't trust it so I got my hard copy checks and deposited them in the bank every other Friday until my power windows died and I got tired of having to stand outside of my car at the drive thru because the inside portion of the bank closed before I could get there. I was like 25 at the time.
So you know, don't be surprised by older people. Be impressed and in awe of their talent but don't be fucking surprised. Everything we do is based on what was created before. And some people keep in shape and stay active their entire lives so continue to do what they do.
But also, don't make excuses for your racist asshole older relatives. They are just assholes.
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