NBC program showed challenges; are we serious about addressing issues?

By Eric Stringfellow

I think the response would have to be no.  By addressing the issue, I hope that Eric Stringfellow means, to analyze the issue objectively and determine a process by which the problem can be addressed and improvements made.  To do this, one has to come to grips with the facts of the issue, and without emotion, accept and reject premises about how this came to pass and how to remedy it.  Because of the political factors, the emotional factors, and the lack of objectivity, none of this is likely to happen.  The first, and maybe the largest, hurdle to overcome is the concept that it is someone else’s fault when an individual fails to meet standards.  Inculcated in this is the temptation to lower the bar to success so as to be more inclusive.  Real life is not the Special Olympics.  Setting adjustable standards based on race, gender or other identifiable characteristics is self defeating for those to which it is applied, and demeaning to them as human beings.  The temptation to do so is great, especially for those who are compassionate and caring.  People respond to incentives, to threats, and to expectations placed on them by others including society.  If any proposed solution does not have these components, it cannot be a solution.

Unless this call is for us address the issue differs from those of the past, I fear the response will be more of the same actions that have failed.  Number one will be to find someone to blame or some group to blame that is “the root cause” of the problem.  The usual suspects will be trotted out, from George Bush to the evil power structure consisting of businesses and uncaring politicians.  The solution will be to spend more government money on a program, any program, so that those who care can feel good about the fact that they care.  Nothing will change, but many folks will feel very happy and pleased with themselves because they care and can blame those they criticize for not caring like they do.  The irony of this is that these caring people think the people who need this “help” are not like them.  Thus, the way they address this problem will be very similar to sponsoring the Special Olympics.