From Michael Kinsley in Bloomberg, something for 2301s to consider as we discuss civil rights:
Of all the forms of discrimination that the
law forbids -- racial, gender, sexual orientation in some states
-- age discrimination is the one that nevertheless goes on most
brazenly. Corporate recruiters and human resource departments
are carefully trained to talk in code, saying that they’re
looking for “fresh thinking” or “energy, dedication and
willingness to work long hours.” You know what they really mean.
Hiring or promotion to top positions in government and private
corporations doesn’t even pay lip service to equal opportunity
for people over age 60 or so.
Is this necessarily wrong? The Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967 begins with a “finding” of “rising
productivity and affluence.” These are different times. In
today’s zero-sum world, someone who sits on a tenured chair or
other sinecure is denying a place to someone else, probably
younger. Was the law ever intended to protect baby boomers in no
particular financial distress looking for a suitable capstone to
a successful career?
