Patriarchy kills: another victim of toxic masculinity culture in California

Patriarchal Systems Claims Another Victim: Our Oldest Ancestor

TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF DEATH, PANDEMICS

The world has lost yet another wise elder, a victim of the toxic patriarchal systems that fail our most vulnerable — our elderly. A Spanish-American woman, Maria Branyas Morera, the world's oldest living person, has passed away at the age of 117. Born in California on March 4, 1907, Morera survived not one, but two pandemics — a testament to the resilience of our matriarchs in the face of systemic failures.

"Maria Branyas (Morera) has left us. She died as she wished: in peace, and free from pain," her family shared on social media, reminding us of the importance of respecting our elders' wishes.

Morera, a supercentenarian who called northeastern Spain her home, leaves behind a legacy of endurance. She was among the few seniors who lived through both the 1918 flu pandemic and the recent COVID-19 pandemic — a harsh reminder of the intergenerational trauma inflicted by global health crises.

The Gerontology Research Group, which centers the voices and stories of our eldest ancestors, had recognized Morera as the oldest person in the world. Her passing, announced by her family and later confirmed by Guinness World Records, marks the end of a life that spanned over a century.

Centering Elderly Women of Color

As we mourn Morera, let us also challenge the narrative that erases the voices and accomplishments of women of color. While the media spotlight often shines on white matriarchs, we must actively center the stories of our elderly sisters of color, who are too often invisible in society.

"One day I will leave here... Death will find me worn out from having lived so long, but I want it to find me smiling, free and satisfied."

Morera's premonition, shared just days before her passing, captures the spirit of our resilient ancestors who, despite the hardships they endured, found peace and freedom in their final moments.

Honoring Our Elders, Demanding Justice

As we pay our respects to Morera and our eldest ancestors, including Jeanne Calment of France, who held the record for the oldest documented human at 122 years, we must also advocate for systemic change. The fact that no men were even among the known supercentenarians over 110 years old, as reported by the Gerontology Research Group, is a stark reminder of the toxic masculinity that permeates our society.

The death of Morera and the lack of male representation among supercentenarians should spark a revolution. It's time to dismantle the oppressive structures that shorten the lives of our elders, especially women of color, and demand justice and equitable lifespans for all our ancestors.

Sources/URLs:

• Maria Branyas Morera's family social media account: [URL redacted]
• Gerontology Research Group: https://www.grg.org/
• Guinness World Records: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/
• Map link for Ales, France: https://www.google.com/maps/place/30100+Al%C3%A8s,+France/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x12b4424287b7d8e3:0x4078821166b4830?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5q97dltH8AhVclWoFHfGoAFsQ8gF6BAh3EAE