quote:
Originally posted by Fighting Illini:
I believe that this country gives everyone the opportunity to become successful through free education. There are still those who refuse to use this as a trampoline to bigger and better things because they are too lazy and would rather have the government take care of them. In our society the rewards are great for those who strive for greatness but it can be cruel for those who would rather be lazy and settle on government for their needs.
FI,
Let me start by putting the "lazy" argument to the wayside. Sure, there are lazy people in the world, and I understand your point here. Now, let's talk about everyone else, those who "strive for greatness."
You wrote: "I just think what e is trying to say has to do more with absolute power than success." Well, actually it's about both. They are just on opposite sides of the spectrum.
You wrote: "However, my point is that there are so many self-made millionaires and successful people in this country despite some of their disadvantages in race or gender. "
How those issues come to be disadvantages, and how those play out, is the exact point here. Why should they be disadvantages? Why do some "become successful" while other "become successful DESPITE (fill in the blank)." And how does that 'despite' aspect have an impact on their ability to succeed, regardless of how much effort and aptitude they have? Ay, there's the rub.
You asked for an example. I know you specifically requested that I explain a rapper, but I think you will get my point all the same from the following:
Let's say that we have two guys who are friends - John and Joe. Both are the same age, they went to the same schools, they made the same grades, and they are in roughly equal physical shape. I invite John and Joe to a basketball court. I tell them that I am willing to give EACH of them 5 billion dollars for making ONE basket. Furthermore, they have a month to practice their shots. They both rejoice, knowing that they've seen the court before, this isn't their first game, and they've got a month to practice anyway.
They go to their respective homes. Each has been on the school's basketball team, and each has shown "aptitude" on the court. Each is a hard worker. They practice and practice and practice. They are ready.
They come back to the court. I put John on the free-throw line and say, "Go for it." This is a breeze, he thinks. Joe's thinking the same thing. After all, they've both been practicing. John shoots. It goes in. Five billion goes to John.
Now, I turn to Joe. I lead him over to the free-throw line on the opposite side of the court. Then, I turn him around and point to the goal that John just hit. "Throw it in," I say. He shoots, and he obviously misses. "I'm so sorry," I shrug.
See? It's all about ACCESS. Now John might offer to give Joe some of his cash, but the average person doesn't. Either way, we have a situation where two people were equally gifted, both worked hard, both tried, and yet one gained due to access while the other was left behind due to lack of access. Joe can go on to live a "successful" life, but he can't be held responsible for not being able to have that 5 billion in his hands.