Friday, December 6, 2013

Victims

Y'know, my grandfather (who was prejudiced, and somewhat a bigot), always said that the welfare system and the fact that people told black people that they were victims and they didn't have to strive that came about in the '60's would destroy the black race and culture in the United States.

The older and more experienced I get, the smarter he appears to be.

And here, we have the same observation. The same observation that it is culture, not race ,that holds people back. That the culture of victimhood does more to keep people at a level, rather than any other factor.

My grandfather wasn't born rich, or successful. He didn't die that way either. But all the time that I knew him he was comfortable. He owned a house, in a good neighborhood, and he didn't lack for most things...Cars, equipment, etc. If he wanted something, or wanted to take a vaction or a trip for fun, he could do so, as long as it wasn't too extravagant. He was, in my opinion, the embodiment of the American Dream..... But he instilled in my Father and in me the belief that if you weren't lazy and didn't make stupid decisions that you could succeed and thrive in the United States. If not get rich, you could live a good, comfortable existence and you could live well, but you had to work at it, and overcome obstacles and keep trying.

He was right when he told me that, and he is right today, 20+ years later.

People find their own level. If we tell them that they cannot succeed, a significant portion won't even try....especially when we make their life comfortable enough that they have no incentive to do so.

HT: Irons in the Fire


2 comments:

og said...

There is no question that you were raised by people who understand. I have never done business with you personally but I am pretty convinced that you must be a god businessman because you have repeat customers. And while you don't live in a mansion you live a comfortable life that is full of the people and things that please you- a lot of very wealthy people do not have that.

Sometimes it may not seem like it, but you won the parent lottery.

Home on the Range said...

True words indeed. My parents expected us to work for everything we got. Allowance, even a 10 or a quarter a week as little kids was earned by doing set chores. If you didn't finish your chores, you did not get your allowance. We learned pretty quickly.