AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

 Thousands of years ago, people faced discrimination based on their race, skin color, gender, and sexual orientation. In the 21st century, we continue to face discrimination, albeit in different forms. Nationality and age have become significant factors in discriminatory practices.

The sports and entertainment industries are notorious for eliminating athletes and actors based on their age and physical appearance. I recall noticing as a teenager that athletes were often retired in their 30s, with commentators joking about their participation in competitions. At the time, I didn't understand the implications of being "old" in one's 20s or 30s.

Decades later, I've realized that age-related discrimination is pervasive, even in developed countries. Hiring managers, HR representatives, and others often ask about age as a primary question. This form of discrimination can be subtle, with people being judged based on their appearance. If you look old, you're often dismissed. If you look young, you might be subjected to humiliation, insults, or exploitation using age is a number and give you a number they like .

However, this harassment doesn't stop there. Experienced individuals are often subjected to intellectual property theft, with their ideas and work being copied and presented as someone else's. Once their value has been extracted, they are discarded, making way for less experienced, lower-paid individuals.

The question remains: what is the role of human rights organizations in the 21st century? Are they still focused solely on combating racism and sexism, while neglecting other forms of discrimination? Isn't it time for human rights organizations to revise their policies and address ageism, as well as other overlooked forms of harassment and discrimination?