Very, very good. I share the author's sentiments immensely, and he articulated these ideas much better than I ever could. However, the final lines bothered me:
>> When you deserve it, come back to us. Share your service with your peers and your children.
>>Then you'll be part of our family. Then you'll truly belong.
I don't know what it would ever mean to deserve the wealth and privilege that I have now. I want to do everything in my power to make sure that the injustices that have built history are righted.
To the extent that I can participate in righting wrongs rather than making them I can say to myself on my death bed, "I lead a good life", but will I ever deserve what I currently have? How would I ever know that?
Does that matter? The idea of 'deserving' is sort of predicated on their being some sort of higher guiding force sorting us into piles. Being aware of the ways you have benefited from historical circumstance is an important thing.
I think, basically: Don't be worried about whether or not you deserve the things you've been gifted. Maybe worry instead about whether or not you're using those gifts for some good.
>> The idea of 'deserving' is sort of predicated on their being some sort of higher guiding force sorting us into piles... Maybe worry instead about whether or not you're using those gifts for some good.
Objective, higher-force kind of good? Or "however I define it" good? Because everyone does the latter, probably even serial killers. "He deserved it," they say.
>I don't know what it would ever mean to deserve the wealth and privilege that I have now.
Think of it like potential energy. You were born with a great deal of it. Now you get to spend that energy, convert it into work and kinetic energy.
Indeed, make this metaphor literal. Imagine that people are all born with actual potential energy. Some people might choose to imbue small objects (like bullets) with kinetic energy. Others may work to move large objects for peaceful purposes (e.g. buses). Still others move only themselves, to a position of greatest amusement. Of course, an important class of potential energy holders use it to seek out ever more potential energy - these are the sorts of people who, finding a magic lamp with a genie in it, would almost certainly wish for infinite wishes.
If you have extra potential energy, more than you need, then there are three basic uses: speed-up other people who deserve it (serve). Slow-down people who don't (fight injustice). And, of course, move at the speed that makes you happiest, no faster, and no slower. Because happiness is the best gift you could give the world (unless your unhappiness would get us all a cure for cancer, in which case go ahead and be unhappy!).
>Of course, an important class of potential energy holders use it to seek out ever more potential energy - these are the sorts of people who, finding a magic lamp with a genie in it, would almost certainly wish for infinite wishes.
Implying that politicians and capitalists are legal and social Munchkins ;-)?
>> I don't know what it would ever mean to deserve the wealth and privilege that I have now. I want to do everything in my power to make sure that the injustices that have built history are righted.
Perhaps... to be a responsible custodian to what we've inherited, to not abuse it, to be conscious about how immensely fortunate we are, and above all, to share it with others around us.
I think OP is possibly getting at something else - it's possible that the moment we reach the "I deserve this privilege" moment is also the moment you stop deserving it.
Personally I operate under the notion that I don't deserve any of this, and that I have it by the grace of luck and those that came before me. It is the ultimate hubris for me to self-determine whether or not I deserve all of this, so I'll leave that determination up to others, and chance. Likewise, I'll do my best to ensure others who I believe are upright and good get what they deserve, do not have, and that I can provide.
I view with great skepticism anyone who believes they are entitled to the immense riches and privileges we enjoy.
Believing you don't deserve anything you have or have access to can be a big hit to your self worth though, causing things like imposter syndrome or other forms of insecurities.
>> When you deserve it, come back to us. Share your service with your peers and your children.
>>Then you'll be part of our family. Then you'll truly belong.
I don't know what it would ever mean to deserve the wealth and privilege that I have now. I want to do everything in my power to make sure that the injustices that have built history are righted.
To the extent that I can participate in righting wrongs rather than making them I can say to myself on my death bed, "I lead a good life", but will I ever deserve what I currently have? How would I ever know that?