Change the name

Grey Pride makes us sound too old or can be mistaken for gay pride.  We need to be people of experience or something similar as grey denotes old to so many people.  I am not old.  However, something does need to be done for us, especially those whose pension is not one that is capable of sustaining any lifestyle. Neither I nor my husband can see any chance of retirement.

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Permalink Reply by Grey Pride on August 2, 2011 at 12:19

Hello Margaret!

Thank you for joining the community and letting us know your thoughts.

A lot of thought went into the name "Grey Pride", it aims to grab people’s attention, be identifiable with the cause and challenge the stereotypes we have uncovered through our research. Sometimes the best way to challenge a misconception is to draw as much attention to it as possible.

It can be impossible to please everyone, we all have terms and words we dislike, but on the whole Grey Pride seems relatively inoffensive to most and with over 35,000 signatures on our petition so far, we’re pleased to say people seem to be working out what we are about!

I can see you believe in our campaign to have the government appoint a dedicated Minister for Older People, and regardless of what we are called, ultimately that is what is uniting us – our goal isn't it? :)

 

Permalink Reply by Delilah Hesling on October 1, 2011 at 0:35
How about  for e.g.   'Action for older people'  If you got 35,000 with an ambigious name, think of what you could get with a clear message?
Permalink Reply by Diane Franks on October 1, 2011 at 6:22
I think that is a great name, says exactly what it is.
Permalink Reply by Jan Tchamani on March 9, 2012 at 11:25

Thanks! I feel I've drawn some unfriendly fire here - and unjustly. Of course people can discuss what they want - I wasn't suggesting they couldn't (and am upset that my comments were interpreted that way, though the lady does seem rather angry so I understand, I suppose) - I was suggesting we get on with some of the big issues e.g.

1. Greater equality and respect for 'older persons'

2. Breaking the link between poverty and old age

3. Lack of access to the internet

4. Better access to jobs in a job market where being over 50 is an enormous barrier

5. The withdrawal of treatments and medication from older people - common in the NHS these days

6. The withdrawal of Ring and Ride services for people with lower rate mobility under 80

7. Housing problems

8. The low rate of the state pension

9. Old age + disability - a whole raft of issues - and many charities/CICs/advocacy services closing due to funding cuts

Permalink Reply by Richard Alexandar on March 9, 2012 at 17:58

Start your own thread, then. Easy. And stop trying to score points.

Permalink Reply by Diane Franks on March 9, 2012 at 18:24

Well said!

Permalink Reply by Phill Blackwood on August 2, 2011 at 12:23

I'm not old, and I'm not grey yet, but I have "Grey Pride" because I think the older people of this country need to be better listened to.

The name helped me realise this was a campaign I wanted to back - because it did draw on a stereotype, and helped me realise it was about older people.

Permalink Reply by Frances Andrews-Speed on August 5, 2011 at 16:25

Yes I can't help feeling we should have a stronger name, and Grey Pride is too much like Gay Pride, there is of course nothing wrong with being gay or otherwise, thats's not the point...we need something different, I too thought it was Gay Pride at first and not being gay almost did not reply, think there might be quite a number of people who have thought the same.

How about the word "Elders".....this is not offensive to anybody nor does it mention any colour...Wise Elders, Collective Elders, The Elders...I am sure there are many other words to denote Wisdom....also being an artist, grey is not a colour I would have chosen its insiped, no strength....we are vibrant and we need a vibrant colour to make us stand out...to make our point...

Oh well lets hope somebody thinks along the same lines

Permalink Reply by Margaret O'Donnell on August 5, 2011 at 21:40

maybe we should ask for suggestions.  I won't allow myself to turn grey, or to cut my hair for that matter, neither do I have a jip up cardigan, slippers with bobbles or a pleated skirt!  A lot of so called 'old' people haven't got anywhere near that title and even if they had don't appreciate being called old or grey for that matter.  We are just maybe wiser because we have been here longer than some other people.  Grey to me makes us sound 'past it' as does being addressed as dear or love by people that don't know me.  My husband isn't allowed to call me dear either, it just sounds so patronising.  So all you people over a certain age............get your thinking caps on and come up with a better name.  Oh and by the way for all those who think your brain slows down after 40...........well I'm currently wearing my UCLAN graduate hoodie with pride as I've just received my degree!

 

Permalink Reply by Frances Andrews-Speed on August 5, 2011 at 21:47

Congratulations Margaret how wonderful to get your degree...that shows all those younguns!!!!

what stuff and nonsense brain slows down after 40, I did my first hons degree at 47 that and bringing up four children on my own at the same time and whats more I managed on the student grant and also managed to be in the top set.   Now my children are grown up I want to do a law degree at 70, having a bit of difficulty finding the funds...but not giving up yet...I started lecturing on art 11 years ago and was teaching art almost immediately I finished my degree....I am more scared of dying because I wont be able to fit in all the things I want to do

Permalink Reply by Margaret O'Donnell on August 6, 2011 at 15:23
hope you take this the right way, but if your going to die, die doing something you love.  So live life every day as long as your here.  I also have four children which we raised ourselves on a very tight (still tight!) budget.  |'ve childminded for 29 years and it's very low paid but I never wake up on Monday and think 'oh God work'.  I've only done law at GCSE level but was top of my class and the degree I've just done was paid for by Lancashire county council.  I feel I have given a lot to my (roughly) 150 children I have minded, not to mention my own four.  I base this on the fact that some of them are on facebook and talk to me from there.  They have never treated me like an old girl.  So hopefully off for new adventures like yourself.  I don't know if I'll do another degree but I'm not averse to the idea.  By the way I've just gone 60
Permalink Reply by Frances Andrews-Speed on August 6, 2011 at 21:18

Absolutely agree with you Margaret, and I do try to, think once I move I can go back to living a normal life again, and that means doing some form of artwork every day...Still thinking about the law degree but if thats out of the question then need to do something else.  My second eldest daughter has been a childminder (as well as being a potter/artist) for quite a few years...so I have every admiration for you both.   Four children was enough for me, do love them but missed doing my art...and now that is even more important to me.

Oh dear I think we have gone slightly off the track here, so to get back to the name of Grey Pride I wonder if anybody has had anymore thought about this....or maybe it is set in stone now.

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