“… the real tragedy of life is when men
The Willfully Ignorant….
“… the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” ― Plato
Why is it the inherent unfairness of many of our cherished American values is so clear to some of us and so vehemently denied or, to be charitable, ignored by the vast majority. Based – as these bastions are – on the accident of birth, we seem to make no attempt to redress the balance, or, more importantly at this stage, even recognize there is any imbalance; any injustice at all. We even take inordinate adolescent glee in being fortunate. If you are born with it, the lesson goes – it being any of a select list: brains, wealth, ‘good looks’, star quality, and ability, etc. – you are successful by right. Without them, or the ability to ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’, you are not. What is so stupid about this approach is that we are all born the same way: we have no input whatsoever. None, for crying out loud. What are we so proud of? Our carefully considered and astute choice of birth parents? We need to grow up and be grateful if we’ve got it, not viciously scornful and dismissive of those who haven’t.
It is with this in mind that I seem to consistently point out the obvious; unintentionally at first, just directly addressing the intrinsic unfairness that our society promotes. That idealization of the American Dream, where everyone has the ability (or so ‘they’ say) to make a fortune, has become our rationalization for avoiding the confrontation of institutionalized injustices that permeate our society. It is solely due to this delusion that we are able to sleep easy and enjoy the beauties of a life well-lived, neglecting those whose sense of hopelessness alone cripples them.
What has become the American way is a system that can capitalize (note the word base) on our neighbor’s misfortune, further deepening the divide between the fortunate and the unfortunate. Not one of us should be content with this measurable difference.
When families are evicted from their homes, an amazing personal tragedy, others hungry for a good deal are lionized when they are allowed to capitalize on this repossession market. Is this equitable for all?
How can we be proud of our education system when the future of our country graduates from school with honors but is tainted by a $50,000 debt (probably equivalent to the dollar value of the college shareholder’s yacht)? Further evidence of our indifference to the fate of the have-nots is a penal system that punishes the children of offenders by demanding custodial sentences that satisfy our need for vengeance. Rehabilitation? This is just not an option, despite the fact that exposure to prison life promotes recidivism.
Most choose to live in this world of deliberate ignorance. So be it. Some of us however, can’t live with ourselves if we don’t at least try to redress the balance. Despite the derision this attitude attracts from some sections of our society, we will continue to come from the right direction because there really is no other. Enjoy the spring.
