As the great-grandchild and grandchild of immigrants, I’ve had the privilege of living among many who came to this country with nothing, who followed the proper channels, became citizens, educated themselves, and built successful lives. They raised beautiful families, embraced the culture, and truly loved this country.
For over thirteen years, I’ve lived among scholars from nearly every continent, men and women who speak passionately about how the United States is the only place where you can start with nothing and build a life doing something you love. Where the poorest neighborhoods here are still palatial compared to the conditions they fled. And yet, through hard work and perseverance, many of them have gone on to become proud, self-sufficient, productive members of our society, too proud to take handouts.
In contrast, many born here have come to expect something for nothing. A growing segment of our population has embraced a victim mentality, fueled by a political party that, with the help of the mainstream media it controls, encourages dependence rather than independence. Rather than empower people to succeed, they peddle resentment and entitlement as tools to advance a collectivist, even communistic, agenda.
These self-proclaimed victims scorn the very country that gives them freedom and opportunity, not because they’re truly oppressed, but because they are unwilling to put in the work. They believe they should be handed success, bypassing the struggle, effort, and discipline it takes to achieve it.
The media, once a check on power, has devolved into a mouthpiece for propaganda, especially since the turn of the twentieth century. Today, it spreads division, distorts truth, and fuels the flames of envy and hopelessness. It gives the lazy an excuse, and the bitter a microphone.
We’re no longer battling poverty, we’re battling a mindset. A victim mentality.
Original written 06/14/2020
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Chu The Cud 