Notes – We’re (Not) To Blame For Shame

Beach. Ocean. Late mornings, late nights. Whatever the western heart desires flushes my retina, ready for the taking.

It’s what I’ve always dreamed of. For a while.

Then not anymore.

Reeks of privilege? Yes, it does. I’ve got lucky in my life beyond belief.

Especially in economically thriving places we tend to have much more than we need. Then some people decided we have to feel ashamed for what we were given.

I don’t think so.

We’re all born with no say in as to where. It’s all random. Why would I be ashamed of a decision I didn’t make?

Ironically (well, not really), the crowd that professes who must feel shame are the ones abusing this privilege the most. They hate the system that has given them every advantage, preaching more is not always more, even castigating the people who try to succeed. Yet the “we don’t have to do more” crowd makes one huge error in thinking: privilege is not a source of shame, but one of responsibility.

If you were given gifts others weren’t, I feel like there comes a responsibility with using them for the greater good. Doing more – creating more prosperity – alleviates the problem they’re so proud of being ashamed of. Taking a morally superior position while not doing anything for the world is spewing the poison you laud being the antidote for.

Feeling shame for something you haven’t had any part in doesn’t do anything. If you really want to have an impact, there’s a simple litmus test for your doing: does it change reality for the better?

Just appreciating what you have does not go far enough. We can do so much more. We can make this world better.

Don’t feel ashamed for doing so.