Older Workers and Discrimination

Re “If You’re Over 50, Doors Are Shut,” Voices, Feb. 12: I couldn’t agree more with Don Sommese in his poignant article about age discrimination. For years, my mother insisted on being called Auntie because she was still selling real estate at 80 and was afraid of losing sales if people knew her actual age. Since our family looks and acts young and we have boundless energy, people become curious and insist on asking our age. As a very active businesswoman, I always say, “Why do you have to know?”

Aging people in our society are discards. People have horrible stereotypes about men and women over 50. They feel that older Americans are brainless, sexless and helpless, beset with illnesses and unable to function normally. These concepts are also reinforced by the media. The new book “Real Age” explains that one’s chronological age has nothing to do with biological age. My 89-year-old aunt has a 90-year-old boyfriend. My two other aunts are still professionally and mentally active and drive their own cars. Wake up, America! You are wasting a valuable resource by not interacting with aging Americans. You are also doing them a terrible disservice.

MAXINE ASHER

Beverly Hills

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I notice Sommese lists himself as a writer and artist. I am a 52-year-old salesman who got my present job at 47. Sales is a notoriously chancy field, turnover is high, job security slim. But I am not worried. I know I have a definite skill that is in demand in the marketplace. If Sommese wants to get a job and keep a job, let him learn how to do something useful, other than write columns griping about “ageism.”

MIKE BURNS

Bakersfield