Values
“Whenever
you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause
and reflect.” Mark Twain
My
friend, Harry, says that our culture values three things above all
else: appearance, affluence, and accomplishment—the Three A's. This
value system is what generates such stinging witticisms as, “Those
that can, do; those that can't, teach.” That is why the Victoria's
Secret Fashion Show turns twelve-million dollars into five-billion in
one hour. That is why the likes of Donald Trump get a network
television show. He may be a schmuck, but he has a lot of money, so
we are willing to put up with him. We honor people with Super Bowl
trophies, with Pulitzer Prizes, Oscars and Emmys for accomplishments
in their fields, but you will never see a prize for superior garbage
collection, or sewer maintenance, or car repair, or bridge building,
all of which we depend upon to keep this country operating smoothly.
When do the first responders, who make mediocre salaries for digging
people out untenable situations, risking their own lives in the
process, get the recognition they deserve? All of these people, and
teachers, too, live in the background, like white noise that no one
notices. We're upside down in our values.
My
idea of prize worthy values would be more like this: honesty,
integrity, and hard work. Perhaps these are “old fashioned.” I am
reminded of the scene in Downton Abbey when Shirley McLain says to
Maggie Smith, “You are the past, Violet. I am the future.” I may
represent the old guard, and if so, I'm happy to be part of the past.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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