1776

Most Americans will know this date. It is revered by them as likely the most important date in the history of their country. However, I'd like to add to that and say for everyone, it can be an important date, representing the rise of many important ideas. I was introduced to this idea by a college professor of mine. The industrial revolution (and subsequent rise of capitalism), the American revolution, and the rise of romanticism are three things occurring at this time that have to do with one important -ism: Individualism. Surely the American revolution embodies individualism; the individual and individual rights and freedoms is what America stands for. Capitalism (a decidedly American pastime), is the individual profiting off of the many. Anyone who has ever read Romantic poetry (and we're not talking love sonnets here) knows how prevalent the authors (and their feelings) become during this period ("I wandered lonely as a cloud," says Wordsworth, one of my favourites).

We are said to live in a post-modern era (although you'll have to excuse me, I think I heard that we're post-post modern now). Frankly, I do not think civilisation has evolved much since our enlightened era of Romanticism. We are living in a post-1776 world. We revere the individual, our self, our feelings. One is special because they are unique, and we're all unique. (How we can all continue to be special is beyond me.) Wordsworth's cry is heard all over the world in the latest self-help book: "What do you when you find yourself lonely like a cloud."

Individuality is the new conformity. Everyone is different, and that must be accepted (see previous post on cultural relativism for the dangers of that). Those that aren't accepting cannot be a part of Us, they represent the enemy Them. "We are all equal," Us says, "and don't you forget it!"

The difficulty I have with these ideas is the inbalance it creates, exemplified with our very broken school system. Now I'm very happy with the idea of equality and equal access. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and its Canadian counterpart are a movement in the right direction. However, so often we forget what our forefathers meant (or should have meant) when they wrote "all mean are created equal."

The common definition (and you can check dictionary.com as I did) is same or identical. We are all same and identical. However, we know this for a fact to be false. We are not equal. I am 5'5 and not atheletically inclined. I cannot play for the NBA. "Discrimination! Discrimination!" Us cries.

We are not equal, but we have equal rights under the law. I have the ability to buy a ticket to a NBA game, if I should so choose, just as anyone else does. The arena is required by law to provide special access to those who need it (read: wheelchair). This is all very well and good, but my problem begins in the school system. And the students who go there are a product of their home environment.

Want to hear something shocking? I'm sure this is representative of schools everywhere, and not just in my district. We don't fail kids anymore. Frankly, it's bad for their self-esteem. Students deserve to be in a group of their peers. How embarassing for someone to fail! They'll be scarred for life! As long as they're trying (and students all try at different levels) then we can pass them along to the next teacher. Parents, too, contribute to this. They can't punish their children for misbehaving. It's bad for their self-esteem! As long as they love them enough, they'll turn out allright. Besides, if the parents punish their children, they'll get mad at their parents (maybe even hate them) and that would be bad for the parents' self-esteem. What is this world coming to?

Here's something even more shocking: Contrary to the advice of a once popular book, I'm not OK, you're not OK, we're all not OK. Because if we're all not ok, then we still have something to strive for. Everyone should be striving for things, not attaining them. Remember, it's all about the pursuit of happiness, not the attainment of it.

"Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination." -Goodman