November 1, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, November 1, 2019 Opinion Page Judging others feel inferior without your consent.” [hCituNews tian author and podcaster “E The next time some- one expresses judgment of Glynda Lomax is a Chris- the answer to every situa- someone to you, take a close tion the whole world faces. look at their life. What is the Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 who resides in the Ozark In fact, they spend so much motive behind their pride- Mountains of Northern Ar- time poking around in the ful expression of opinion? New catchphrase sends kansas with her two very backyards of everyone else’s bossy dogs. She wrote her business that they never get Is it to make the other per- son smaller in your eyes or message from one (first About Life..column in 2003 for a newspaper in around to tending the weeds to make themselves appear in their own. It is the only bigger in their own? I love generation to another Dallas. She is planning her job at which they will glee- the way Matshona Dhliwayo next book. fully work overtime for no put it, “Never judge an eagle pay. by the opinion of turkeys.” By Don Munsch, Editor “When you judge another, Many times throughout the time and energy we now Do they speak from a life so spend judging the people we The words first appeared to me in a Facebook post by al you do not define them, you life I have felt the scorn of spotless they can afford to friend who lives in Southern Oklahoma. define yourself.” - Wayne someone’s judgmental opin- know and the celebrities we judge another? If you listen, OK Boomer. Dyer ion regarding some action you will hear the nearby rat- see on television, judging our Linitially thought, at first glance, that it had something to or inaction in my life. Over tle of a proverbial skeleton own lives, our own actions, do with the Oklahoma Sooners, as the words appeared on al We all know at least one. the years, the mark of anoth- in their closet because every- our own immoral thoughts? shirt or hoodie. That one person who has an er’s judgmental arrow has one has at least one. And if If we spent the time now But a story from The New York Times cleared up every, opinion about every person wounded me less and less someone will judge another spent evaluating the mar- thing. and every situation. That one often as I realized that if the in front of you, you can bet riages of celebrities working The expression of “OK, Boomer” has become the mantral person that feels compelled opinion came from someone they are judging you when on our own? If we spent time of some young people as a way to respond to people from| to share their every opinion whose judgment I did not you are not around, too. making changes to our own older generations who have have dissed or dismissed them] on every person and every respect, it carried no weight It may be tempting to con- lives instead of criticizing Sort of like, “Yeah, whatever you say,” or simply, “What situation with you. That one anyway. Many times in the demn public figures and peo- the lives of friends, family ever.” OK Boomer merchandise is now available, the story person who sits high on the past I have found myself ple we know for their short- throne of their assumed per- guilty of judging another comings, but are we truly so and strangers? said, and the Times reporter details how the products began, ‘As most anyone could conclude, the boomer here refers fection as they pronounce person. But the older I get, guiltless we have the right to You cannot judge others to the Baby Boomer generation, and the Times story in4 sentence on everyone the less quickly I jump on stand in judgment of those and love them at the same cludes views from people who are frustrated with dealing) around them, You can al- the judgment bandwagon. whose secrets have sudden- time. We should not be look- with problems they think older generations have handed| most see their chest puff out The older I get, the more I ly been made public? How ing down on anyone unless them. in self-righteousness each know that I, too, am human easy it is to look down our it is while we are helping “Rising inequality, unaffordable college tuition, political time they give their judg- and just as capable of falling noses from the high throne them up. Let us not think polarization exacerbated by the internet, and the climate] ment on another. Someone prey to weakness as the next of judgment when it is not us ourselves so high and lofty crisis all fuel anti-boomer s entiment,” the story said. who thinks they are stronger, person. My weaknesses may who are being judged. that we, too, could not be Although one person in the article points out that being| more knowledgeable, less differ from someone else’s, Imagine suddenly with- brought down if our secrets a Boomer is more about a mind-set — someone opposed t vulnerable. Someone who but I still have them. My out warning all your secret and weaknesses were sud- change — than anything else. has even hinted they know bad choices may differ from thoughts and desires were denly revealed for the whole One development from this OK Boomer fad can’t be} the answers to your dilem- yours, but I still make them. broadcast on a screen for world to see. overlooked, though: The younger generations now and] mas. They have the answer People who sit in judg- everyone in the world to see generations coming in the future will have to grapple with] to every problem, every dif- ment take great pride in feel- and judge. Would you be “The self-righteous some complicated issues, such as climate change, econom+ ficulty, every situation you ing superior to everyone else found innocent? ic downturns and the ever- changing workplace, the grow-} face. If you made a mistake and often put others down How much time do you scream judgments against recently, it was because you to make themselves feel big spend every day evaluating others to hide the noise of ing cost of health care, the future of Social Security and the} did not consult them first. and others feel small. But skeletons dancing in their continuously rising cost of living, including housing. the lives and actions of oth- There might be a rude awakening coming for many peo-+ They, in their superior in- as Eleanor Roosevelt once ers? How much better off own closets.” ple in the future about how tough it’s going to be to make a] telligence, think they know said, “No one can make you would we all be if we spent 0 John Mark Green living and still be able to set aside money for retirement and} “Made in Oklahoma’ is an their children’s education. In a broader realm, I don t know how future generation: will cope with trying to make health care more affordable] or finding ways to deal with an environment whose chang- es in recent times should be a cause for alarm. Navigating| through either of these problems is a minefield and finding) solutions has become more and more difficult [read: politi-+ cized]. Maybe the younger generations will figure all that out| international enterprise Let’s hope. By Nancy McLernon. manufacturing jobs in the and a half, international economics -- it allows U.S. Alongside traffic and cof- United States over the past companies increased the small businesses to demon- fee, news radio is a staple of five years, according to the amount of business they do strate a commitment to so- Oklahoma ns step up my morning commute. As I flip through the stations, I'll latest available government data. More than 510 differ- with U.S. suppliers by nearly 30 percent -- jumping from cial equity and environmen- tal sustainability. sometimes hear a pundit la- ent international companies to help their peers ment that “Nothing is made employ Oklahoma workers. $1.5 trillion to $2.4 trillion, after adjusting for inflation. For instance, French food company Danone’s Ameri- in America anymore.” Many of them are household In the manufacturing s By Oklahoma Institute ed Lilly’s Coats for Kids. In reality, there are nearly names, including Anheuser- tor, business between in- can division, Dannon, is for Child Advocacy CEO When she was 8, Lilly saw a 13. million manufacturing Busch, BP, and Nestlé. ternational companies and the leading U.S. yogurt pro- Joe Dorman small child without a coat in workers in the United States, International firms pay domestic suppliers rose by ducer. Seeking to establish One of the pleasures of the winter and she wanted including thousands in Okla- better. Americans who work nearly 70 percent during a more sustainably-sourced getting to work with the to help. She formed her or- homa. Some of these folks for global companies earn that same period. That is array of products, Dannon Oklahoma Institute for ganization and seven years are employed by U.S.-based 26 percent more compensa- more than 14 times greater formed partnerships direct- Child Advocacy (OICA) later, she has collected more firms, Many others work for tion than the average worker ly with seven family dairy than the overall growth rate is meeting people who are than 2,500 coats for chil- companies headquartered in the same geographic area, achieved by all U.S. busi- farms and two dairy co-ops so inspired to help young dren in the Oklahoma City abroad. according to a new analysis nesses, across the United States, Oklahomans that they dedi- area. These international com- from the National Bureau of The economic well-being cate a significant portion of The next is Mary Owen, which now supply all of panies employ more than Economic Research. of local communities de- their time, money and live- a 17 year old who founded 51,000 Oklahomans. That International companies pends on international com- the milk Dannon uses in its lihood to this great cause. Foster Family Night Out, includes 21,500 employ- benefit all workers, not just panies and their relation- products. In doing so, Da- Last week, I highlighted a program to serve Grady ees in manufacturing jobs the ones they employ direct- ships with suppliers in the none set high standards for great work being done by County and the surround- -- or nearly 42 percent of all ly. When an international United States. For example, animal welfare and sustain- adults on behalf of children. ing areas. Mary has worked Oklahoma jobs created by firm sets up a manufactur- Honda operates manufac- able agricultural practices This week, I am pleased to with peers to help dedicate international companies. ing plant and creates 1,000 turing facilities across Ohio that must be upheld by their dedicate this column space an evening of fun for fos- According to the latest new jobs in America, work- that directly employ more suppliers. to honoring Oklahomans ter youth and their bridge government data, the num- ers in that geographic area at than 13,000 Ohioans. It also As we celebrate local under the age of eighteen families and it has turned ber of Oklahoma jobs cre- domestic firms experience a who have done remark- into a monthly event. This relies on a network of more manufacturers statewide, ated by international com- collective $16 million boost than 600 suppliers across the let’s recognize how inter- able work to help their provides a time for youth to panies jumped by 24 percent in wages. So for every lo- Midwest, almost a third of peers: other youth. These connect and foster parents national companies catalyze over the past five years. For cal job that an international which are based in the Buck- young Oklahomans have to have time to run neces- comparison, the number of firm creates, the wage pool eye State. In fact, Honda local economic growth -- been honored with OICA’s sary errands. private-sector jobs overall for employees in the area spends $10 billion in Ohio giving a whole new meaning Melvin and Jasmine Moran Our third winner is Wil- in Oklahoma increased by 6 increases to the tune of annually to obtain interme- to “made in Oklahoma.” Kidizenship Award, pre- liam Harkin, a 17 year-old percent. $16,000 annually. diary goods from regional Nancy McLernon is the sented annually to children student-athlete who has Oklahoma isn’t an anom- International companies suppliers. president and CEO of the under 18 who have elevated turned his passion for swim- aly. International companies also benefit U.S. small busi- Sourcing locally is impor- Organization for Interna- a service-oriented program ming into a way to give back created 62 percent of new nesses. Over the past decade tant for reasons beyond just tional Investment. to new heights. The recog- to the community. William nition includes a trophy and volunteers for King Marlin a donation to them or their Swim School to teach un- dertake a new initiative in youth issues. about state government and parliament to participate. program. derprivileged Oklahomans 2020. The Oklahoma Youth Par- advocacy. Watch more for this at oica. We are proud to name to swim. He also serves as a We are creating a youth liament will meet quarterly, Each youth program that advisory council to help pro- and will discuss current is an OICA member will be org in the next few weeks or this award after the Morans, swim coach for USA Swim- who decided many years ming Diversity & Inclusion vide better insight for us into problems faced and learn allowed one member of our how to become involved. ago that Oklahoma needed swim meets. a children’s museum to Each of these students do Have something to share? provide a place for young far more good work than we people to play and learn. had room to mention. We They worked with commu- are proud of each of these nity leaders in Seminole to outstanding teenagers for establish this place of joy the work they have accom- and it has grown to be one plished and look forward to send your editorial to of most beloved destina- the many great things ahead tions in the state for young for them as they approach people. adulthood. By recognizing This year, three young their talent now, we hope Oklahomans were selected this will encourage them to by a committee and the continue their great works [email protected] OICA Board of Directors throughout their lives, much to receive the Kidizenship as Melvin and Jasmine Mo- Award. ran have done. The first is Lilly Coate, I am also pleased to an- a 13 year old who found- nounce that OICA will un-