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The Winds of Change: A Boomer vs. Technology

 “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your atittude.” 
                                                                                                                         Maya Angelou

Photo By Alexander Schaesis

Baby Boomers, do you remember your first time?  Not that first time. I’m talking about the first time you used a personal computer. Unlike infants today who are practically born with a computer mouse in their hand, many Boomers were full-fledged adults when we came face-to-face with the big kahuna.

My reluctant introduction to the PC occurred in 1985, when the nonprofit office where I was employed received a large box from our out-of-state headquarters. Inside the box was a used Apple Macintosh Computer. Like a second child receiving hand-me-down clothing from an older sibling, our branch office which did not have a computer got the cast-off while the main office bought newer models for their administrative staff.

I was the sole support staff in a small, two person office. Neither my manager nor I were computer literate and — typical of contented people confronted with sudden change — neither of us wanted anything to do with a PC. There was no manual inside the box containing our used computer, but it did arrive with something else; a two word dictate from the main office:  learn it.

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In Search of Black Baby Boomer Blogs

As I have discovered, there is no shortage of Baby Boomer blogs. There are sentimental blogs that feature, among other things, entertaining stories about Boomers who were at Woodstock or who were among the screaming teenagers at the Beatles’ 1964 Carnegie Hall concert. And there are the forward-thinking bloggers who post practical information about travel, jobs, retirement and reconnecting with old friends on Facebook. Since photos of the bloggers or contributors often accompany their posts, when reading those web logs I occasionally ask myself:  Where are the blogs featuring BBBs’ (black Baby Boomers)? 

Collectively Baby Boomers have generational similarities, but by the same token different racial groups have unique and unshared experiences. It is a given that overall black people work at keeping folks out of their business; including those who work overtime trying to get into other folks’ business. But that is neither here nor there.

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One Life and Living It

Some Boomers say that they rarely watch television, because there is nothing on it but bad news, grandstanding politicians and trashy sit-coms. It’s true. There is a whole lot of nothing on TV, but occasionally you will find an uplifting program.

That was my good fortune one evening when I tuned in a public broadcasting channel, WHUT. Howard University Television recently aired the delightful program Over 90 and Loving It. The show profiles people in their 90s and 100s who are not just existing – they are living life to the fullest. Unless you are a discontented Boomer who hopelessly bemoans the fact that you are aging, you will applaud and adore the spunky seniors in the broadcast.

There is the charming couple, Arnell and Ernest Rogers, previously a widow and widower. Their lovely church wedding, where they married each other at ages 91 and 93, is one of the more touching scenes in the program. 

While all of the stories are heartwarming, some are absolutely remarkable.

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