CULTIVATING COMPASSION
MIND-BODY-SPIRIT
Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging
Boomer Activism... ...continued from page 15
BY ABBIE ROSNER
• The Gray Panthers: A historic, multi-generational national net - work founded by Maggie Kuhn that fights against ageism, social injus - tice, and systemic inequality. Electoral & Political Campaigns • Seniors Taking Action: This dedicated group of progressive polit- ical activists coordinates postcard writing, phone banking, and voter registration drives to support Democratic candidates nationwide via weekly Zoom meetings. • Alliance for Retired Americans: Boasting over 4 million mem - bers, the Alliance for Retired Americans enrolls retired union mem - bers and community activists to lobby for civil rights, fair economic policies, and healthcare reform. Healthcare & Senior Rights Advocacy • AARP: As the largest membership organization for people over 50, AARP drives massive federal and state-level lobbying efforts to pro - tect Social Security, lower prescription drug costs, and expand voter education. • National Council on Aging (NCOA): The National Council on Aging allows seniors to sign up for public policy advocacy alerts to track and influence legislation affecting economic security and health - care. • Justice in Aging: A national organization focused on using legal advocacy to combat senior poverty and secure safety-net programs for low-income older adults. General & Intersection Activism • National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA): This group advocates explicitly for improved minority aging policies, hous- ing, and employment opportunities. • AmeriCorps Seniors: For older adults wanting hands-on, com- munity-level public service, AmeriCorps Seniors matches people 55+ with localized volunteer programs and community development proj - ects.
ing, participating in civil disobedience, registering voters, hosting house parties, working the polls, staffing party headquarters, writing letters to editors, mentoring, making banners, donating to nonprofit organizations, and so much more. Their actions are critical to defeat - ing the toxic patriarchal dictatorship currently in power. (This sidebar would be remiss if it didn’t mention the need to have dialogue and debate regarding our very elderly elected statespeople and whether it’s advisable to have age limits. The current leader, the oldest president to occupy the White House, makes a great case for enacting them, as our democracy and the world can’t afford to be hi - jacked by a dangerous gerontocracy.) If you’re a senior and looking for ways to plug in, there’s no better place than the DMV, and no better time. No matter where you are, no matter what type of housing (aging in place, independent living, assisted living, or nursing home), there are available opportunities. Consider working the polls this election cycle — your local Board of Elections wants Y-O-U! And, no matter what, this November, V-O- T-E! To see an award-winning PBS documentary on the topic, check out Sunset Story (2003). It takes place in an independent living facility in Los Angeles that caters to progressive, elderly activists and free think - ers. The film highlights two friends, who are lifelong political/social activists. They are determined to stay passionately engaged regardless of their health challenges. It’s an inspiring watch, showing what’s pos- sible as we age, and how we can continue to make a difference along the aging continuum. Below are several well-known organizations with missions to mo - bilize older adults for grassroots activism, political campaigning, and social change. Do your own search, find your fit, and get involved. The crucial thing to remember is that your time, talent, and treasure are needed more than ever — in whatever capacity your circumstances allow — to create a future that is inclusive, democratic, compassion- ate, just, green, equitable, and peaceful for all. Climate & Social Justice • Third Act: Founded by environmentalist Bill McKibben, Third Act organizes people over the age of 60 to protect the climate and safe - guard democracy through local chapters, rallies, and letter-writing campaigns.
LSD, peyote, magic mushrooms. For those of us who came of age in the 1960s and 70s, we were warned these were dangerous drugs that would destroy our brains, and worse... But over half a century later, a new consensus around psychedel- ics is emerging. Hundreds of clinical trials have demonstrated that, when used appropriately, these powerful compounds are remarkably safe and effective for treating depression, PTSD, addiction and other mental health ills. Within a year, it is expected the first psychedelic medicines will receive FDA approval and enter the healthcare system. In the meantime, there has been a resurgence of popular interest in psychedelics, inspired in large part by Michael Pollan’s New York Times bestseller, How to Change Your Mind – What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence . A growing number of those willing to change their minds about psychedelics are baby boomers. Psychedelics in Older Age Now entering older age, the boomers are facing a troubling disso- nance between their youthful self-identities, the realities of an aging body and mind, and society’s negative messaging around aging. In re- sponse, they are organically forging a new model of what getting older looks and feels like. And they are increasingly turning to psychedelics to support that transition. To be clear, approaching psychedelics in older age is different than
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— About the ‘Cultivating Compassion’ Column —
Cam MacQueen, MSW, is the creator and curator of ‘Cultivating Compassion.’ She earned her MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social and attended Howard University School of Divinity where she specialized in Social Justice Ethics. Recently, she’s started a new career as an elder care social worker, so this column’s topic is of particular interest. Cam, still mildly shocked she’s an over 60 Boomer (not yet a senior), is a firm believer it’s never too late to be a force for change and for good. The world needs each of us — young, old, those in the middle, and everyone navigating arrested development — to make it a better place! Cam continues to dedicate this year’s columns to various forms of activism, resistance, and dissent necessary to help save our democracy and progress toward a more perfect union. If you have a suggestion for a column on resistance, contact Cam at ncm.advocacy@gmail.com. Kindly include “Resistance” in the subject line.
16—PATHWAYS—Fall 26
PATHWAYS—Fall 26—17
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