Do not say “OK boomer” in the presence of Laurence Jalbert. She hates this expression that we’ve heard everywhere for three years, and that we use to discredit, against a background of ageism, the opinion of people born before 1968. “It gets on my nerves! “says the singer.
Before we go any further, let’s make one thing clear: The Press never used the formula “OK boomer” in front of Laurence Jalbert. The two words were only uttered by way of example during a round table to which the singer-songwriter had been invited, along with three other participants from Zenith, to discuss generations. The opportunity was ideal since the show, which Véronique Cloutier will host on ICI Télé from January 19, opposes artists from different generations, who must offer numbers likely to attract a multigenerational audience.
It was therefore with Laurence Jalbert, representative of baby boomers, Benoît McGinnis (generation X), Matt Lang (generation Y) and Maëva Grelet (generation Z) that the interview took place, in Montreal, on the fifth floor of new Radio-Canada premises.
“I don’t like ‟OK boomer” because it has become a funny label, comments Laurence Jalbert. I’m lucky to have lived in the 1970s. I started singing in bars when I was 15. I was singing Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest…”
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Laurence Jalbert
I touched everything. Everyone who winces and says ‘OK boomer’, it’s because they haven’t been through what I’ve been through.
Laurence Jalbert
Laurence Jalbert, who will blow out 64 candles in a few months, identifies with baby boomers, a group renowned for valuing hard work. She discerns a clash on other aspects. “Because my heart is 12 years old,” she explains, flashing a childish smile. I am still that little girl who is moved by the beautiful blue sky. It annoys Dan Bigras so much! But I am the same! I marvel at all kinds of patents. I still want to discover everything, to try everything. It is the body that follows a little less. »
Benoît McGinnis understands the feeling. “I am 44 years old, but in my head, I am 27”, admits the one who rubs shoulders, both in theater and on television, with people of all ages. The actor nevertheless experienced a clash generations in 2021, when he started teaching at the National Theater School.
“The students were in their early twenties. I saw a difference in attitude. What fascinated me was their audacity. They said, ‘I don’t do that. I don’t want to do that.” It destabilized me because me, when I was in their place, I was super docile. We did whatever the teachers told us to do. »
This questioning of people in positions of authority joins Maëva Grelet, the youngest of the panel. The 21-year-old singer identifies with the Zs, but maintains that she gets along well “with everyone”. The one we knew in 2021 in Star Academy has no unfavorable prejudice towards his elders.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Maeva Grelet
In my family, I am the accident. I am the baby. I’m used to living with older people. I get on well with them. This is my gang !
Maeva Grelet
Between #metoo and “wokisme”
The major social currents of recent years seem to have created certain generational gaps. In reaction to the #metoo movement, for example, older people often decry the attitude of younger people. And vice versa.
Laurence Jalbert strongly supports this shift, which gives a voice to victims of misconduct and sexual assault. In the spring of 2021, inspired by the ambient energy, she even opened up on Facebook about the domestic violence she suffered for 10 years.
“In my approach, the voice of the youngest helped me a lot. When I watched the Boulay sisters, Safia [Nolin]… It was like, ‘My God! They talk ! They name things. They assert themselves.” It pushed me to tell what had happened to me. I am proud of them. I am proud of the younger ones. I have three grandsons and four granddaughters. I want a better future for them. Better than what I had, when it was normal to hide that, the shame was so immense. »
The emergence of “wokism” has also led to friction between generations. Closely associated with the Zs, this ideology is now charged with a pejorative connotation (“We can’t say anything anymore!”) as certain groups have abused it.
Benoît McGinnis sees no threat there. “At the beginning, it was destabilizing. I was like, ‘Ah, crunch! We’ve always said that! Stop fooling around!” But to avoid aging rigidly, I think you have to be open to listening to others. It is not because we have said certain things since we were little that we must continue in the same way. Life moves forward. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Benoit McGinnis
I learn to mix with the youngest in relation to what it is good to use, currently, as vocabulary. Often, I ask my friends: ‟Can we say that?” I don’t want to offend people. The youngest are a reference on this.
Benoit McGinnis
” I like you ”
For his part, Matt Lang admits to being “late in a lot of business”, even ” stucked in an era”. However, it remains open. Originally from Maniwaki, the country singer, who will soon be the father of a second child, believes that “all generations can learn from all generations”.
In an interview, he tenderly describes how he taught his grandparents, especially his grandfather, to say “I love you”, words almost taboo for other generations.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Matt Lang
When we call each other, I tell him all the time: “Okay, well, I love you, Grandpa.” And often his answer is: ‟OK.” I find that funny. I know he loves me, but for him it’s hard to say. He’s not used to it.
Matt Lang
Maëva Grelet also believes that she can pass on “a few things” to previous generations.
“My mom is African. So I was brought up very strictly. She will always teach me things. But recently I realized that I too can [de lui en apprendre]. I can teach him another way. And I know that in the end, everything mixes and matches. It makes a nice smoothie. »