Intelligence. Beauty. Caste. Race. Birth. Country. State. Nobility. Education. Manners. They all have one thing in common: overvalued-ness.
Why? Because choice is an integral part of pride. Because pride without choice is an illusion, or merely superficial, like a little child trying to act like an adult.
I can't choose my country. I can't choose where I'm born. Thus I have no inherent right to take pride in my place of birth. I have no right to say I'm a better person than you just because my country is better than yours. Thus patriotism is misplaced.
I can't choose my intelligence. It doesn't matter whether it's nature or nurture, there's no room for personal choice in either. So what if I have an IQ way higher than yours? I didn't choose my genetic disposition. Neither did I choose the environment I grew up in. I didn't work for my intelligence, I merely developed it as a result of factors beyond my control. Thus I'm no better or worse than you are just because I'm smarter or dumberer than you. Pride in intelligence is also misplaced.
I didn't choose the way I look. I didn't pick it out of a list or a book. I didn't arrange my chromosomes to express the way they do. So why should I take pride in my body or the way I look? (Unless, of course, I had a silicon implant or plastic surgery... but that's a different story.) So beauty is overrated too.
The same goes for much of what we all value. Noble birth? Pah, so what? You're the King of England? I couldn't care less, you didn't work for it. You're "untouchable"? Nah, you didn't choose it. And so what if you're white or black or yellow or brown or even blue? It's not as if you're Michael Jackson. You didn't choose it, you didn't work for it, you didn't earn it. It simply doesn't matter.
I respect Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and all those who chose to be who they are. But I refuse to bow down to Prince Charles or the DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Whateverhisnameisnow because they didn't earn their authority. And I refuse to give you credit or be intimidated by you just because you have a higher IQ or have looks to die for or are from a "superior" race.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that respect isn't inherent. It is a consequence of our actions. So don't live your pride. Earn it.
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"Why, Mr. Anderson, why? Why do you persist? Why get up? Why fight on against the inevitable? Why, why, why??"
"Because I choose to."
-The Matrix Revolutions-
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5 comments:
I think I once said something similar to my debate team members (in the heat of frustration).
"You don't deserve their attention. Command it."
Haha, thats' true. But easier said than done.
If someone chooses to make his country a better, safer place, shouldn't he take pride in his country? if someone goes to the gym 4 times a week and gets in some good workouts plus keeps to a strict diet, shouldn' she tkae pride in her beautiful physique? If someone chooses to stay behind after class to study a bit more or spends more time reading material which stimulates his mind, shouldn't he take pride in his intelligence? hmmm..
That's wise, Agan. Very wise. Of course you should take pride in what you work for. I was referring to those who take their superiority for granted.
Whoa! Werny, you haven't changed at all and for that, I'm glad =) You go, Werny! Hehe.. God bless =)
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