The Gray Panthers: South Park’s Biggest Fear, by Rick Gunderman

Have you seen that one episode of South Park, “Grey Dawn, Episode 710″? It’s the one where a lot of old people are getting into car accidents, so the town takes away all of their licenses, and then the American Association of Retired Persons (now simply AARP) launches a military invasion of the town. It was supposed to be a spoof of the 1984 movie “Red Dawn”.

The AARP in real life is not a militant group. They are a seniors’ advocacy group that works primarily through litigation and lobbying and provides special non-profit services to its members.

If Trey Parker and Matt Stone had done a little more research, they may have found a perfect target for their satire: the Gray Panthers.

In case the name doesn’t say it all, the Gray Panthers are retirees’ answer to Huey P. Newton. I couldn’t freaking believe it when I came across it. I mean, who ever heard of militant seniors, particularly when their founder was quoted suggesting that since women often outlive men by eight years on average, elderly widows should look to each other for sexual pleasure.

Notwithstanding the personally unpleasant mental picture drawn by such a statement, I applaud the Gray Panthers. While the AARP is a decent enough organization, it’s good to see that the spirit of resistance is not lost in the older generations.

Furthermore, my pleasure with the Gray Panthers comes from (and for those who have read Unite the Activist Front, this will come as no surprise) the fact that they adamantly believe that all social justice movements are inseparably linked. As such, they affirm their solidarity with movements in support of youth, ethnic, racial and cultural minorities, peace, LGBT liberation, civil liberties, the poor and the working class.

Granted, some of their statements may seem outrageous and controversial to the general public, but what good is free expression without using it to search for new ideas? Old lesbians may not do it for most people, but if it makes them happy, what’s the harm? Which does go to highlight the question: shouldn’t we all be free to explore our sexuality at our own pleasure?

In conclusion, I salute the courage, attitudes, values, vision and assertiveness of the Gray Panthers. May they continue to valiantly defy ageism, and may we all stand by their side! You can visit their site at http://www.graypanthers.org/

~ by redrising on May 14, 2008.