(um, like I didn't say) It takes all kinds Rambi. We need the conservative types and the dream warriors (and everyone in between.)
We need the Rosa Parks of this world to risk scorn, personal safety, and other harm in order to move the world forward. She "damned the torpedoes".
We need the whistleblowers like Karen Silkwood who put their jobs, and often their lives, on the line in order to do the right thing. She "put the pedal to the metal"
We need the people who live life by their own rules, who dare to question convention, and make it their mission to live boldy.
(The world might even need quixotic loud mouths like me . )
I didn't see the film Neo referred to. But I can imagine it. What if the guy hadn't taken the affront to his dignity? What if he had lost his job? What if things got a little scary around his house and his kid's private school tuition couldn't be paid, or the SUV payments, or the Friday night meals at da Pulcinella became extinct?
What? He and his family die? Loses some of his material trappings for the sake of maintaining his dignity? Loses some face in the superficial realm of the Joneses? That's the fear he (and most) would have. But the fear is usually much scarier than the reality.
People become paralyzed by their fears of loss of material goods, but are willing to surrender their dignity and/or aspirations to the point where they're virtual prisoners in gilded cages.
No thanks.
I'm being intentionally dramatic, but also realistic. I've seen these corporate prisoners riding the subway, chain ganged in their golden handcuffs. I've talked to them about the dreams unlived for "the sake of the family" and wondered what might have happened if they'd reached for their dreams once in their lives--be it social work, or teaching, or painting . . .
What might their life satisfaction quotient have been if they'd lived in a 1500 sq foot ranch instead of a McMansion, drove a 5 year old Beetle instead of a new Lexus, sent their kids to public shool instead of private . . . but did work they loved--that brought them meaning.
Would their kids and spouses love them any less?
Would their value to the world be diminished?
Many people FEAR the answer would be yes.
Not me. |
