egos built on tradition

No one asked to be born into the situation in which they were born.  I find it insulting, when certain people, assume that the United States is still a meritocracy...meaning if you just work hard enough you can be successful.

This is just hog wash. 

Is it not true, that the poor, as well as minorities and women etc. continue to make less, attain less, and "be" less (on average) even when they have the same qualifications as those who are not minorities, women or poor?  Yes.  It is true. 

If working hard was the only key to success, and being lazy was the reason for failure...then I can understand how certain people might generalize and assume certain groups continue to fail and are the cause of their own failure.  But that just is not the case.

Society is built on the historical legacy of dividing, individualizing, grouping, and marginalizing the already oppressed.  This legacy is still being fed today through "invisible" and ignored policies.  It's an acceptance of traditional ideas and thoughts.  These traditional ideas and thoughts have NOT caught up with the diverse and growing society in WHICH WE LIVE.  Sheesh!!!!! 

Working hard is only part of being successful or attaining social mobility.  The other part is equity and empathy.  Equity is shadowed by peoples experiences who have never had to encounter "other," except to label as other.  Empathy is overshadowed by people's experiences who have never had to understand "other" except to label as other.  The beginning of change starts with change!  So we must CHANGE. (Some dap for Obama!)  

I always tell people, change of this kind is like trying to describe to someone a color that does not exist.  It's almost impossible if you're blinded by your...SELF.  The best you can ask for is empathy and the heart to strive towards equity.  How is that done...? Well, constant reflection and forcing oneself to go to places (literal and figurative) where you are uncomfortable and make yourself FEEL what others might...step out of who you think you are...and take a good look in the mirror that others perceive (thanks Michael Jackson) and what you percieve!

I'm just so sick of egos built on tradition.  Open your eyes people...open your eyes!