Pride and Inequality

My friend was telling me that I have become grumpy and I realized that it might be true. I guess I was a bit different before I decided to travel. I used to be cheerful, happy-go-lucky and funny - until I learned to take things seriously. If this is what it means to be awake then I feel like a part of me wants to just sleep...but perhaps I can attribute my overall change of attitude to traveling as well. What you have seen will always be there...but learn to let it go, my friend advised me. But no wonder why there are many people who choose to remain in their comfort zone instead. Isn't that what people are after - to be happy and comfortable? Because it seems that what you don't know won't hurt you could really be true.

I traveled and lived in countries where there's high inequality, including my own. I've seen cops running after someone in broad daylight and people just treat it like a normal scene. I know that one could pay someone cheaply in order to kill someone. There are regular extrajudicial killings and all that. But that's just the whole retribution cycle. But then why do poor people resort to crimes and murders? People blame them for their lack of education, self-esteem, social skills, and moral values. But ignorance and lack of education just come as a natural result of inequality. This generalization only portrays the Malthusian - produce more misery to gain superiority. These people are the way they are because they have no opportunities to be any different. And it was reinforced everytime they tried. It is just the lack of choice. The law of attraction and power of positive thinking and all that self-help books won't work here. Most of them are in a difficult situation that was brought upon them. I guess it is easier to pinpoint their flaws when you don't know the whole story behind.

Don't forget that the powerful nations perpetuate inequality against other nations by stealing resources, land-grabbing, implementing a global system of domination and passing unreasonable laws. And the majority of their population still have no idea that the promise of democracy to these countries was nothing but a trap. And they are still blind to how the government is shitting on other countries - it is actually the other way around. And here you are wondering why there is so much hatred around the world. And why some people trust the cops to protect them while the poor don't trust the authority. If you can't travel to know the truth, you are at least free to do some critical thinking right in the comfort of your home.

It is no longer surprising to me that poverty correlates to violence. Think of a man who is supposedly the provider, the one who brings home the bacon, is surrounded by a shameless display of inequality and do not have access to all the basic necessities of life. Where else could he get his status when the society strips him of the usual markers of rank - having a good job and being able to support his family? A rich man has everything to lose while a poor man turns to violence with nothing more to lose. And here you are wondering why the poor have become radicalized throughout the world.

It could just be a matter of pride and the exertion of power. Some people's self-respect is not threatened because they have other means to get their status from, like job, money, and nationality. What about those who have nothing but self-respect to defend? You'll see that some people kill just because they have been dissed. This really happens especially to those who only get their status and power through violence. If your social reputation on this level is all you've got, then you've got to defend it. When there's high inequality and you are on the losing end, then the only thing you might have is pride. Pride becomes a matter of life and death.

You only wish the society does not emphasize money as the only indication of self-worth. You are taught to worship rich celebrities, follow their footsteps and do self-improvement to death. The big screen and cultural values taught you to develop this huge sense of entitlement. And that you are trained to emulate the rich and powerful.

If there are no opportunities for status, personal advancement, and respect - some people have no choice but to find other ways to pursue those things. If others visibly bask in their wealth, those who are way far from the top would become desperate. Unfortunately, these issues of respect seem to affect men more, though not all. But anywhere you go, no one is immune.