The American Association of Retired Person (AARP), the state’s leading advocate for the 50-plus population with more than 3.3 million members in California, hosted last weekend in Watts the “Remembering 1968: LA Town Hall.” This intergenerational discussion focused on civil rights and financial security in recognition of the significance of the year 1968 as well as the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose call for economic justice was as unequivocal as it was prescient.
“AARP is proud to participate in activities nationwide that celebrate and remember the significance of 1968,” said Rawle Andrews, AARP Regional Vice President. “We’ve come a long way in this country; but we still have a ways to go to ensure equal access to social and economic justice is a reality for all. It is only through education, participation and partnerships like the one we have with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee that working together we continue improving the quality of life for people who are 50+ and their families.”
The conversation was anchored by data from a recent AARP study, which put a particular spotlight on Black Angelenos. The survey, titled “California Dreaming…or Struggling: Gen X and Boomer Financial Security,” reveals that for the most part Black Angelenos are not ready for retirement; and while they remain optimistic, many are struggling with issues of housing affordability and difficulty in saving for retirement.
